Southern Baptist President Encourages Pastors to Engage in Political Process Ahead of Midterm Elections

<p>Southern Baptist Convention President and Pastor Willy Rice called on pastors across the United States to engage in the political process as midterm elections approach. Rice stated that while some Christian leaders advise against political involvement from the pulpit, pastors have historically played a significant role in American politics.</p><p>Rice noted that members of the theological and political left have not hesitated to mix religion with politics, and he believes evangelicals should do the same. He emphasized the importance of pastors' engagement in political issues, stating, "Should pastors engage in the political process? They absolutely should. Because there are many political issues that are, at their heart, theological issues and moral issues that strike at the very center of what we believe to be true and what we believe people need to know in order to flourish personally and as a culture."</p><p>He further remarked, "I think the pastors need to step up. I think throughout American history, pastors have had a strong voice at key moments in American political history." Rice expressed concern that many Christians have been encouraged to be quieter and withdraw from political engagement in recent decades.</p><p>Rice pointed out that those on the theological and political left have remained active, and statistics indicate that they are more politically engaged than those on the right. He described a perceived vacuum of Christian leadership in political discourse during this time.</p><p>Rice highlighted several issues, including abortion, the definition of marriage, gender identity, and immigration, as areas where he believes Christians should feel compelled to vote in a particular manner. He stated, "These issues are deeply, profoundly theological issues. They go back to the creation; they go back to Genesis 1 and 2. They go back to our understanding of what it means to be a human being, and our understanding of what God's creative purpose is for us as human beings."</p><p>Regarding immigration, Rice acknowledged the complexities of the issue but argued that enforcing immigration laws is not incompatible with compassion. He stated, "There is a value of compassion, a value of wanting to care for the least of these people who are poor and oppressed and wanting to help," noting that Christians engage in more charitable acts than any other group in the U.S.</p><p>Rice concluded by addressing the manipulation of Christian values in political arguments, asserting that compassion should not be used to justify a lack of enforcement of immigration laws. He stated, "That is very, very manipulative. No one would say that because you love people or care for people, you should leave the doors of your house unlocked, or you should open up the jail cells in your own community."</p>