Religion as a political force? Yes or no.....

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

What do you think? Should organized religions use the clout of their congregations as voting blocks?

[ProgressiveConn]

1. I think they probably should be allowed to do so yes.

However I dont think they should be basically tax free corporations.

[leyton]

2. Well it is legally permissible.

And we do it all the time when we send our politicians to black churches and have guys like Al Sharpton on the debate stage.

I would probably want a review of a particular church's tax-exempt status if that church endorsed a candidate. However, I think it is well within a church's rights to influence its members to vote on certain issues/values, and those are bound to favor one candidate or the other. That's simply the reality of it.

[BiggJawn]

3. Why, yes they should.

Just as soon as they open their books to the IRS and surrender their "Tax IMMUNE" Status.

I'm not holding my breath....

[Tux]

4. No

Members of a church should be forced to think for themselves and not have a minister solve all their problems. If they don't know who to vote for, stay at home.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

5. Not in the sense that dogma should overide law....

[housewolf]

6. It's an abuse of their power

for ministers to stand there at the pulpit and tell people how to vote and what candidates to support. They should bring up issues, suggest that people educate themselves and perhaps present both sides. I believe their job is to educate and inform, not to promote ideology or partisanship.