CHURCH: Speak freely, please

By the time this letter is published the election will be over and it should be decided who our president-elect is. However, I would still like to address Ms. Holmes’ concern about the church and politics.

First, I find it interesting that she would end up at Candlelight for guidance and inspiration just three weeks before an election when there are at least 50 churches in the four cities of Spirit Lake, Athol, Rathdrum and Post Falls alone, not to mention many other churches in Coeur d’Alene, and some more churches about the same distance or closer north of Spirit Lake, e.g., Newport, that she could have chosen. I do not attend Candlelight so my letter should in no way reflect on the people of Candlelight.

Secondly, churches here and across the country, by and large, are great contributors to the welfare of the citizens of their communities and even around the world. While I believe that the churches’ main focus should be spiritual in nature, who better to have a dialogue about one of the most important issues of our country, that of choosing our next leaders? Why shouldn’t our churches discuss the pertinent issues of the day?

Political candidates use high-profile people from Hollywood, entertainers in the music industry and sports figures to speak out on their behalf, but we should have a gag order on our churches? Is this another way to keep God out of the fabric of America?

I pray that God and His Word will inform how we live our daily lives AND how we choose our leaders.

MARGERY ORR

Post Falls