Politics
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Practically Political
Can Christians save the mess that is today’s American political scene? Better yet, should we? Charisma asked two pastors to offer their unique viewpoints on the role politics plays in believers’ lives. The Church as a Prophetic Voice by Harry R. Jackson Jr. I am often asked why I spend so much time engaging in …
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A Voice for Immigrants
Samuel Rodriguez is more preacher than politician. These days, however, the leader of the nation’s largest group of Hispanic Christians is caught in the crossfire of immigration reform.
Lady Liberty has always lifted her lamp to the tired, the poor and the huddled masses, but Americans have not always welcomed immigrants with open arms. Today the climate is as hot as ever, as the need for border security and economic recovery clash with the vast number of illegal immigrants living among us. Only recently has the evangelical church taken a stand on the issues.
Now a man has emerged as another torchbearer, his leadership drawing millions out of the shadows. Top politicians and media moguls are paying attention, saying Samuel Rodriguez is a political rising star, and they’re watching and courting him as our nation wrangles over culture wars and immigration reform. Although the 40-year-old pastor and evangelist denies being a politician, he has embraced the call to represent a growing political force of evangelical Latinos, including 12 million illegal immigrants.
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The Faith of Sarah Palin
She was vilified by the media, hated by pro-abortion activists and adored by many evangelical Christians. Her 2008 candidacy energized conservatives, broke tradition and made history. Sarah Palin was a little girl holding on to her mom’s hand when she first attended Wasilla Assembly of God (AG) Church in her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska. The …
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A House Divided
The 2008 presidential election has been more contentious than any in recent history—especially for evangelical Christians. When Stephen Mansfield started writing his book The Faith of Barack Obama, the Illinois senator was a long-shot presidential hopeful whose religious background was of little interest to most. One year later, Obama is the Democratic nominee for president, …
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5 Lies about the Church & Politics
Many Christians live in fear of breaking the law if they promote a political candidate. Here are the facts you need to know. While the dust has mostly settled on the 2008 presidential campaign, the general election itself is now rapidly moving into the spotlight. Churches, and more specifically church leaders, are still playing a …
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Washington Watchdog
He’s tough, he’s angry, and he’s not afraid to mix religion and politics. Meet Lou Sheldon, who founded the Traditional Values Coalition to protect the country from gay activists, abortion lobbyists and any politician–Republican or Democrat–who is hostile to biblical morality. Exiting his townhouse office on C Street, Lou Sheldon hurries toward the U.S. Capitol. …
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The Spiritual Side of Al Gore
Conservative Christians have criticized Al Gore for his pro-abortion views. But he maintains that his public policy is guided by a deeply personal Baptist faith. During the Clinton years, Vice President Al Gore defined himself as a Harvard-educated intellectual, a forward-looking environmentalist and a visionary leader for the new millennium. But when the presidential campaign …
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Joe Lieberman’s Old-Time Religion
Vice presidential canditate Joseph Lieberman is attracting Christian votes because he talks about God more than your average Democrat. Regardless of who wins the November election, the Bush-Gore contest will go down in the history books for one thing: the nomination of Joseph Lieberman, the first Jew to run on a major party’s presidential ticket. …
