What Pastor Brent Waldemarsen, who secretly taped Dean Johnson, forgot was that religion and politics do not mix. It is not a good idea to stoop to a level of deceit in order to justify the means. The church does not need to get involved in politics, even if it means a vote may change the standard of living. Whether gay marriage is allowed shouldn't change the way many of us live, or what we believe in.
By doing what Waldemarsen did, he could easily provoke some unwelcome attacks, which in this day and age are more likely to take place. The church is a safe haven for those who want peace with the Lord and should not be in the middle of controversy or daily headlines because the pastor wants to involve himself in politics.
Some people out there who confide in their ministers or pastors do so with the understanding that their conversations are private. Although this was a speech given by the senator at the church, it does not give the pastor the right to record, which comes down to a moral issue.
If one of the churchgoers taped the conversation, this is one thing, but the pastor who is a leader and a servant of God puts a cloud of doubt with many of those who seek the guidance of the church. I hope this will be a lesson learned and hopefully it does not affect the way we see the church as a place to worship the Lord without outside interference or controversy.
Joe Raines
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Willmar
