What a witness if, instead of focusing on things we're scared of, like homosexuality (there are plenty of others to do that) the SDA church became known as a church that speaks out against injustice wherever it occurs. It's a huge concern of the Bible.

So, if a Church has a problem with a Gov't moral issue, such as treatment of the poor, sexism, injustices, immigration, wife abuse etc, sexism it should be silent?

My opinion on the prop 8 situation, is that Churches should be allowed their opinion, not on who to vote for, but the issue to vote for.

If they are force to be silent, BOTH sides, something is wrong,.. but that is just my opinion.

A Church should not have to have my approval to support or not support an issue.

To make a Church be quiet on an issue, is that not a violation of religious liberty?

I am NOT saying they should being dealing with who should be president from the pulpit, but they should be able to address issues.

Jesus address issues.

Hmm, maybe: I suspect the denomination would lose members if it actively campaigned on many issues. I can't say it coming out in opposition to Prop 8, for example, so if it said anything it would support it... and that would incense me and many others considerably.

And likewise, I doubt it would have come out in opposition to Guantanamo.

Interesting question, who is going to determine what is Religious Liberty and what isn't. What come under the banner and what does not? Does the church only speak out on sexual issues or should it become involved in a wider array of issues? Will some call that social religion and move against it?

I thought the Bible was only concerned about sexual sins...at least that would be my observation...if I just wandered onto this forum and watched it for sometime.

In the US a church is free to say almost anything they want. Of course there are limits. They cannot rally people to take to the streets and riot or kill the President or any other such radical thing. But they can endorse specific candidates or political parties if they want to. But if they do, they lose their tax exempt status but they are still free to do it. James Dobson formed a taxable religious organization that allows him to endorse specific candidates and lobby legislatures.

Our church does take a position on social issues like poverty. Adventist Community Services and ADRA spend thousands of dollars helping the poor. We have hospitals and clinics that heal the sick. Stop smoking programs to help the addicted. Helpful living classes to teach healthful principles. Our church does a lot for a lot of causes. Our religious liberty departments fight for the rights of many, not just Adventists.

Or, to get really concise: the difficult word in the thread's topic sentence is 'they'.