Disowning Conservative Politics Is Costly for Pastor:
Sermons like Mr. Boyd's are hardly typical in today's evangelical churches. But the upheaval at Woodland Hills is an example of the internal debates now going on in some evangelical colleges, magazines and churches. A common concern is that the Christian message is being compromised by the tendency to tie evangelical Christianity to the Republican Party and American nationalism, especially through the war in Iraq.
Interesting, even for the usually conservatively-slanted results on AOL online polls:
What do you think of Rev. Boyd's views on politics and the church?
I agree with them 54%
I disagree with them37%
I'm not sure 9%
Total Votes: 18,151
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Some of the comments by the folks who objected to the pastor's position are telling (and chilling):
Youre not doing what the church is supposed to be doing, which is supporting the Republican way,
So why NOT us? If we contain the wisdom and grace and love and creativity of Jesus, why shouldnt we be the ones involved in politics and setting laws?
Interesting; Boyd's very well known, and very popular, in Evangelical circles for other theological views. For those who are interested, I notice that the Woodland Hills Church website has an archive of the sermons mentioned by the article:
http://www.whchurch.org/content/page_682.htm
Each one has a study guide summarizing the basic points, so it's not necessary to sit through 240 minutes of sermons in order to get a better sense of what the (rather absurd) reactions were directed at.
AOL poll now up to about 150000 "voters"; 55% in favor of Rev. Boyd (= separation of church and state). A recommended diary at Daily Kos is discussing the matter: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/7/29/165229/846