{"id":29060,"date":"2025-09-17T14:25:21","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T18:25:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/?p=29060"},"modified":"2025-09-17T14:25:21","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T18:25:21","slug":"governors-remarks-at-buffalo-church-ignite-political-and-racial-tensions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/2025\/09\/governors-remarks-at-buffalo-church-ignite-political-and-racial-tensions","title":{"rendered":"Governor\u2019s Remarks at Buffalo Church Ignite Political and Racial Tensions"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Paul Froggatt \/ Shutterstock.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Earlier this month, New York Governor Kathy Hochul spoke at True Bethel Baptist Church in Buffalo. As she talked about putting money back in people\u2019s pockets, she also said, \u201cDon\u2019t stop by the liquor store, okay? Buy something for the kids \u2013 buy them some food.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not surprisingly, some people pushed back against these comments. Did her comments further racial stereotypes? Were they too condescending? And more broadly, what does this situation say about politicians speaking in churches?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not surprisingly, much of the backlash against Gov. Hochul\u2019s comments was politically motivated. Her lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, who is running against her in next year\u2019s primary, said that her comment \u201creduces whole communities to harmful stereotypes and strips away the dignity of parents and children alike.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who is considering a run for the Republican nomination for governor, likewise criticized Hochul\u2019s remarks: \u201cThis is not the first time Kathy Hochul has insulted the black community and spoken in a condescending, lecturing tone toward African-Americans.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the pastor who preached in the service that morning defended Hochul\u2019s remarks, noting that her comments fit with the theme of the sermon he had just preached. That pastor, Darius Pridgen, indicated that his sermon was titled, \u201cBefore You Crash Out,\u201d and Hochul\u2019s remarks fit right in with his sermon. He said that Hochul \u201cwas commenting on not crashing out and not making bad decisions, which I had just preached.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s not surprising that competing politicians would take advantage of an opportunity to attack each other. The broader issue, though, relates to politicians speaking in churches. What guidelines should churches have for those who come to speak?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The first aspect of the issue relates to churches and political advocacy. If churches invite candidates to speak, should they offer \u201cequal time\u201d to opposing candidates? For years, churches and church leaders have been concerned about political advocacy that might impact their tax-exempt status. However, it has generally been accepted that churches and pastors can talk about <\/span>issues<\/span><\/i>, even if they don\u2019t endorse candidates. But does inviting a candidate to speak \u2013 without inviting their opponent \u2013 constitute an endorsement?<\/span><\/p>\n

The second aspect of the issue deals more with churches and their purposes. Is the politician coming to talk about politics, or about faith? Certainly, candidates are entitled to express their religious or spiritual beliefs (regardless of what some people believe about \u201cseparation of church and state\u201d). But how far should a candidate go in speaking on political issues in church? Should a church offer its pulpit for a campaign speech, as opposed to a sermon?<\/span><\/p>\n

Gov. Hochul\u2019s remarks at True Bethel Baptist Church demonstrate the potential pitfalls for both candidate and church. It would certainly be appropriate for anyone \u2013 pastor or layperson \u2013 to speak in church about making good decisions and living according to Biblical standards. However, Hochul\u2019s remarks were not limited to that subject; she also talked about the tax rebate checks which would be coming soon (courtesy of her administration). Should politicians limit themselves to strictly biblical or spiritual issues when speaking in church, or can they also talk about themselves, their policies and their record?<\/span><\/p>\n

In the same vein, another concern is whether inviting certain politicians to speak \u2013 and not inviting others \u2013 deepens divisions in both culture and the church. Should churches open their pulpits to people who stoke fear and division through their campaigns? Do they welcome people who challenge their members, or do they \u201cpreach to the choir\u201d?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus prayed for unity among His followers, so that the world might believe. Does inviting politicians to speak in church foster that unity? Does it bring unity among all believers, or just among those who agree politically?<\/span><\/p>\n

There is still another level to this issue, which may not be recognized immediately. What is the purpose of the church? Is it to proclaim the Gospel? Help people in their discipleship journey? Influence society? Function as a community of believers? Or some combination of all of these?<\/span><\/p>\n

Clearly, without the Gospel, there is no \u201cChurch.\u201d Also, Scripture sets out a picture of the early Church which emphasizes prayer, worship, fellowship, and instruction (see <\/span>Acts 2:42<\/span><\/a>). These foundational functions \u201cmake\u201d a church.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The church should certainly influence its community in positive ways. Building connections with people and serving the community are important ways that the church can be \u201csalt and light.\u201d But the Church should not weaken its ability to proclaim the Gospel in a search for \u201cinfluence.\u201d Instead of furthering division in the broader culture, the Church should strive to both model and foster unity through the message of Jesus. Whether the speaker is a pastor or a politician (or anyone else for that matter), churches should work to ensure that whatever message is proclaimed from the pulpit is biblical, and that it serves to bring people together.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Earlier this month, New York Governor Kathy Hochul spoke at True Bethel Baptist Church in Buffalo. As she talked about putting money back in people\u2019s pockets, she also said, \u201cDon\u2019t stop by the liquor store, okay? Buy something for the kids \u2013 buy them some food.\u201d\u00a0 Not surprisingly, some people pushed back against these comments.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":516,"featured_media":29063,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29060","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nGovernor\u2019s Remarks at Buffalo Church Ignite Political and Racial Tensions<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Gov. 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