Pastors should keep out of politics

Had a chat with God last week after the Rev. Jay Alford announced that he and other members of the clergy were starting a new political organization to ensure that the right people are elected to office.
God had this message for Alford and his colleagues: You embarrassed me last November when you publicly gave me credit for Jay Williams' victory in the Youngstown mayoral race. And now, you want to become actively involved in politics by riding on my good name and reputation. Enough already.
The Almighty suggested that rather than embark on such a power trip, members of the clergy should attend to their primary calling -- saving souls. He noted that the high crime rate, the deteriorating neighborhoods and corrupt government officials all point to society's moral decay. The decay suggests that individuals most responsible for keeping society on the straight and narrow have failed in their duties.
Word of advice
And God concluded the chat with this word of advice for the reverend: Stop berating millionaires who support politicians when you clergymen have no qualms about sticking your hands in the pockets of the wealthy -- and allowing yourselves to be swayed by those riches.
Why is God concerned about last week's announcement? Because he doesn't want to be used to further anyone's agenda. And Alford and others have shown a willingness to do just that.
Remember last November when Jay Williams, a registered Democrat running as an independent, defeated Democratic nominee Robert F. Hagan and others in the general election? And remember when his victory was seen as epoch making because he was the first black elected mayor in the history of Youngstown and the first independent in more than 80 years?
During the victory celebration in the Chevrolet Centre, a pastor exclaimed "God won" as the "Holy Rollers for Jay" reveled in the victory.
Here's what was written in this space last November: "Bottom line: The big winner in Tuesday's general election in the Mahoning Valley -- and perhaps the state -- was Williams. The next big winner was the group of 100 pastors that came out publicly in support of him."
And the column concluded with this paragraph: "But will these men and women of the cloth be satisfied with victory, or do they want more?"
That question was answered Monday when Citizens for Public Service introduced its 18-member central committee. Most of the members come from the clergy.
The goal of Citizens for Public Service is to elect individuals who will "recognize their responsibility to God and to the citizens who elect them," said Alford. He is co-chairman of the organization and is retired pastor of Highway Tabernacle Church in Austintown.
He contended that there is a need to elect leaders with a "moral center" to "guide them in decisions."
While it is true that the slew of officeholders who have gone to prison or have resigned their positions in shame speak to a lack of a "moral center," it isn't primarily in government where this lack of morality is evident.
Breakdown of morality
Alford and the other pastors must know that the mean streets of cities like Youngstown reflect a breakdown of morality that laws on the books and law enforcement have been unable to address.
It starts in the home -- and the only one, other than family members, who have influence there are members of the clergy. Therefore, these men and women of the cloth must bear responsibility for the breakdown of the family unit, the explosion of crime among young people and the general disregard in the inner city for life.
Alford and the founders of Citizens for Public Service are no doubt well-intentioned and sincere about cleaning up politics, but they first need to clean up the neighborhoods where their churches are located. If they renew their commitment to saving souls, the rest will follow.
During the announcement of the central committee, Alford said the group is concerned about wealthy people using their money to control politicians.
Can he guarantee that the right individuals his organization supports for office would not be required to adhere to the tenets of his and other churches? Would these politicians not be judged on such asinine issues as their stand on gay marriage and abortion?
It is unseemly for a politician to pay homage to some rich individual with a personal agenda, but it's just as worrisome to have politicians worshipping at the altar of power-grabbing members of the clergy.