Why I Don't Use "Reverend" When Mentioning Al Sharpton

When I mention Al Sharpton, I never use the title "Reverend." I don't
use that title because he professes to be a minister of the gospel of
Jesus Christ, yet he supports abortion. I can't get over that and
don't use that title that man has given him.

Stating that, I present this without further comment: http://bit.ly/xMlpao



Del. Emmett Burns and the Rev. Al Sharpton don't agree on the issue of
same-sex marriage—and that's putting it mildly.

The five-term Democrat who represents Randallstown and Woodlawn, had
some unkind words for Sharpton during an interview Thursday with
Kenneth Burns, a State House reporter for WNAV in Annapolis.

"Al Sharpton is a pompous ass," said Del. Burns, adding that Sharpton
"doesn't speak for anybody but himself most of the time."

Sharpton, a Baptist minister, recently released a video in which he
supported the passing of a same-sex marriage law in Maryland.

Del. Burns, a pastor at Rising Sun Baptist Church, opposes the bill
and in the past has sought to pass an amendment to the Maryland
Constitution defining marriage as being between a man and a woman.

Burns went on in the interview to criticize Sharpton's preaching credentials.

"What kind of a Baptist preacher is he?" Del. Burns said. "He has
never pastored a church. He's never had a congregation. All he does it
run around the country and suck up to big movie stars so he can preach
at their funerals when they die."

Comments

[Duane]

Dang!

[MIB]

You may not acknowledge the distinction between being pro-choice and supporting abortions, as is your prerogative. However, there is no justification for your disrespect. You can disagree with a person's politics and still recognize that which they've earned.

[DarkStar]

Duane, Burns went up in there, didn't he?

MIB, I can't honor the title given to him because he willfully goes against the Bible in which he professes. This isn't politics, this is morals.

[Wm_Tucker]

Nice try, Ed, but no sale.

I meant to address the Bible and same-sex marriage instead of abortion. Like abortion, the Bible makes no mention of same-sex marriage beyond its description of homosexuality as an abomination. But it does address a Christian's relationship between secular authority and God. In Matthew 22:21, Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar...", which meant you're obligated to abide by civil laws and God's word simultaneously. This view is reinforced in Romans 13:1 when Jesus said, "Let everyone be in subjugation to the governing authority". These two quotes have traditionally been interpreted as God and government each having mutually exclusive authority over different realms.

The notion that your objection is moral rather than political doesn't fly either, as you've cited a politician (?!?) discussing someone's position on public policy as the basis for your objection. Not only is Del. Burns 'argument' undermined by his use of an ad hominem against Rev. Sharpton, it's kind of obvious he's not fully up to speed on his preferred religious text.

If I only had a nickel for each one of these jackleg preacher-pols...

[Black Diaspora]

You have a strict and impossible criterion for others to follow, or adhere to, in order to receive the title of Reverend.

And that's okay: it's your prerogative.

But know, too, that very few in the Christian clergy or the laity, can, in good conscience, call themselves Christians, or followers of the Christ.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Disciples, possibly, but full-fledged Christians, emulators of the Christ, hardly.