Church betrays civil promise

In a recent editorial, (“Graham betrays the Gospel,” June 5), Michael Gerson eloquently described a severe ethical issue with the behavior of religious organizations towards political activities.

Spending church resources campaigning, backing, advertising for or otherwise providing partisan support for a given politician is antithetical to practice of the faith of Christ. This is especially true considering the politician seeking succor is Trump, who has lied, openly, demonstratively and repeatedly.

Another point is the conflict with status as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization wherein intervention in political campaigns or the endorsement or anti-endorsement of candidates for public office is prohibited. Churches that align with, give to or participate in this illegal activity are at least culpable in another ethical dilemma for the faith.

Our dark-money world continues to make normal what our earlier selves would have rejected. “Make America Great Again” refers to which “again” period? In any event, this is a pay-to-play world. Churches have exempt status because they stay out of civil political matters. You want to play? Ante up.

John W. Koehn

Spokane