I read a story on MSNBC about a group of pastors nationwide who included an endorsement of John McCain in their sermons this Sunday (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26930425/). They are potentially in trouble with the IRS for endorsing any candidate from the pulpit, and of course they're defiant against the bad ol' guvmint. John McCain stands for America, after all. Well, their America. The one that thinks it's bad for two men to love one another, but it's okay to dump your wife for a younger, richer model. The one that thinks the 2nd Amendment is the only part of the Constitution worth worrying about. The one that still thinks they hate us for our freedom (not for our interference in their countries, or our hypocrisy in saying we support democracy but align ourselves with some pretty harsh dictators).
I don't have a problem with church leaders speaking out for candidates. I do have a problem with leaders of the Christian faith endorsing someone who has pretty much committed to this country being involved in warfare for the rest of his life, and who would potentially ask my children to go to war on his say-so.
I also have a problem with a vice-presidential candidate who says that our invasion of another sovereign nation is God's work. There are those who say that muttering 'Oh, my God' is taking the Lord's name in vain. Wrong. Calling the invasion and occupation of Iraq God's work is taking the Lord's name in vain, and a whole new level of it. I have a huge problem with a candidate for President who only knows bluster and force, and who jokes about bombing Iran when we all know he's probably not joking. How can anyone, particularly followers of Christ, not only vote for but publicly endorse this ticket?
Why do these 'Christian' leaders have such a problem following Jesus? You know, if you're going to profess to call him Lord, maybe you should do what He said to do. Maybe you should be a peacemaker, not a nationalist warmonger. Maybe you should start caring more for the least of these, and a little less for those that already have the most. Jesus threw the moneychangers out of the temple for a reason.
Jesus never mentioned homosexuality. He never judged sinners (and we all are, you know) harshly. He healed and comforted people. When asked what was the most important commandment, He said 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. The second is this: love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.'
Even if you're not a Christian, those are pretty good words to live by.