Kamala Harris at church: 'This is where we go when the times test our faith'

[TomCADem]

Interesting to see Kamala Harris campaigning in Iowa.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/kamala-harris-at-church-this-is-where-we-go-when-the-times-test-our-faith-130204326.html

DES MOINES, Iowa — In an era in which religion and politics have frequently been used to create division and dissension, the pastor of a historic church is instead trying to utilize them for higher purposes.

“Religion and politics should be partners for humanity,” says Rev. Jonathan Whitfield, senior pastor of the Corinthian Baptist Church in Des Moines.

Founded in 1898, Rev. Whitfield’s church is one of the oldest historically African-American churches in the city. And since its inception, Whitfield says, Corinthian has “brought forth a very consistent foundational spirit of inspiration of worship to God.”

That was the message that presidential candidate Kamala Harris heard — and echoed — when she attended services there last Sunday. Harris visited the church as part of a five-day, 17-stop campaign swing. She is not underestimating the importance of Iowa, which will hold the first caucus in the nation on Feb. 3, and hopes to regain the momentum she enjoyed after a strong showing in the early round of debates.

[elleng]

1. Maybe "Religion and politics should be partners for humanity,"

but have they EVER been?

[TomCADem]

2. Black churches were at the forefront of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement

I think it is a huge mistake to concede Christianity to Republicans, particularly with Trump heading the Republican ticket. Many sanctuaries for immigrants are hosted by churches. We should never concede that hate and racism are an acceptable tenet of Christianity.

[elleng]

3. Thanks.

Yes, a HUGE mistake.

[FailureToCommunicate]

15. +1

[Skittles]

4. I don't care for this kind of pandering

[Cartoonist]

5. Me neither

If we're going to concede America to the Christians, then I'll vote for Pete.

[Skittles]

6. absolutely

[bigtree]

7. a good deal of the community organizes through their churches

...churches have been the one institution that the black community has been able to call their own. It's safe territory in an increasingly hostile nation.

Other ethnicities also organize much of their politics in churches, mosques, and synagogues, as well. Calling it 'pandering' is a crass misunderstanding of what's occurring. Parishoners network there, much like others do in country clubs and other social functions.

I really don't understand disdain for religion, as if the people observing are unworthy of outreach and attention, or even identification from our party and candidates. How shortsighted this complaint is, and curiously miscasting the folks at these gatherings as figures to be scorned or shunned, as well.

[Skittles]

9. I believe in separation of church and state

hearing someone say religion and politics should be partners in ANYTHING makes me queasy

[bigtree]

11. believe what you want

...visiting and speaking at churches isn't a violation of the 1st Amendment Clause on church and state.

The First Amendment’s Establishment Clause reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

Visiting a church isn't even a close match for this provision.

[Skittles]

13. so I believe I find this kind of pandering very distasteful

and that is exactly what it is: pandering

[bigtree]

19. because it's in a church?

...or the fact that she's discussing her religious faith and belief?

You may not know this but 'pander' has clear roots in prostitution, it's a word primarily used to describe procuring women for sex (despite it's political adoption), not something that should be associated with church or parishioners.

I don't want to live in an America where openly discussing religious beliefs is seen as a pejorative. It's not evangelism, it's community. Representing it as anything else betrays a profound misunderstanding of churches in general, the black church in particular which has a historical role in the black community as a (safe) place where folks can organize, support, and provide outreach to the community for so many things government and society has neglected or deliberately withheld.

There's even more to this, and I suggest you educate yourself about what churches actually do in communities, black churches in this instance, before spreading any more derision about politicians taking the time to recognize and commune with them.

...church and state:

[Skittles]

20. SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

*DONE HERE*

[bigtree]

23. caps doesn't change the actual clause

Last edited Mon Aug 19, 2019, 08:08 AM - Edit history (2)

..what you want is something that is an antithesis to the provisions which are protections for practicing religion, religious expressions, religious belief.

'Separation of church and state' has NOTHING to do with pols visiting and speaking at churches. NOTHING.

Amendment I. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Yours is a singular view that would leave parishioners out in the cold, you'd have entire communities shunned, especially grievous when referring to black churches which have been centers of community organization since the civil rights era. Mosques and synagogues organize community matters extensively through their gatherings and membership, as well.

It's an offensive stance to claim Kamala Harris is 'soliciting' these church members, for whatever reason, and not have the same disdain when candidates express fealty to other groups which may not be associated with religion. Your obvious antipathy for religious expressions has apparently blinded you to the other tenets of the Constitution and Declaration, like free association, and freedom of religion, freedom of expression.

"Pandering,' in its most sympathetic interpretation would be if Kamala Harris had not had a lifetime relationship with the church, or did not believe the things she was preaching from the pulpit. You can't credibly claim she wasn't sincere, so 'pandering' would not be a valid complaint.

And it's not as if she's highlighting one thing here over the other and broadcasting her religious beliefs. She had the right to share them with the congregation, and the reporter the right to highlight those words. But she isn't 'endorsing' religion here, as one poster claimed on this thread, she's exercising her right to openly express her religious beliefs, and it's a sad day if our party has no tolerance for these simple words of identification of faith.

I REALIZE SOCIETY HAS BECOME MORE COARSE IN THE TIME TRUMP HAS ASSUMED OFFICE, BUT...

HAVE WE REALLY GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE IT'S NOW ACCEPTABLE HERE TO CHASTIZE A BLACK WOMAN CANDIDATE FOR VISITING A BLACK CHURCH AND SPEAKING A FEW WORDS ABOUT HER RELIGIOUS FAITH AND BELIEF?

[FailureToCommunicate]

14. +1

[mcar]

8. How is it pandering?

[DavidDvorkin]

10. Same here.

[stonecutter357]

12. +1000

[rollin74]

21. I agree. I used to really like Harris but her promoting organized religion mixed with politics is a

huge turn off

[bigtree]

24. that's just not credible

...other candidates have spoken about their faith and religious belief.

Almost every one has visited and spoken at a church and expressed much the same.

EVERY nominee and Democratic president has done the same.

Claiming that you're just now turned off by Kamala Harris doing this is hyperbolic nonsense, I guess only reserved for the black woman candidate, and entirely unbelievable.

[Raine]

22. Same here

it's a big turn-off to me.

[elocs]

16. Church is where we go to make ourselves look religious for the American voters.

I think today that even an atheist would be pragmatic enough to realize that unless it was already known they were an unbeliever.

[NBachers]

17. I claim the pandering of the Berrigan Brothers, I continue to claim the pandering of Nuns on the Bus

I continue to respect the commitment and sacrifice of Archbishop Romero and the nuns of El Salvador.

[bigtree]

18. k&r