"The question facing the church is, will it adhere to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark Luke and John or Jimmy, Bill and the Sierra Club?"
I resent this allegation, KFC. I know you didn't write it, but it is ridiculous.
Ecology? We were left as stewards of the earth. Do you think God doesn't care that we have done such a poor job? I think He does, and that it is our responsibility to have a certain amount of respect for the environment.
Racism? I don't think I have to elaborate here. You and I are probably on the same page on this one.
Poverty? I'd say God's been pretty clear on His instructions for us to care for the poor and needy. This position, again, is not contrary to any Biblical teaching.
AIDS? Do we not have compassion for the sick?
In trying to create a sound bite, Tony Perkins inadvertently gave all kinds of ammo to those who would unfairly paint the SBC as an organization of racist bigots. Clinton and Carter are, ironically, trying to encourage these churches to advocate for TAXPAYER FUNDING for these issues, a different matter than advocating on these issues entirely. We won't even address the fact that these two men, who have long insisted that the church should have nothing to do with the state, are now lobbying the churches to (ahem!) pretty much use their pulpits to preach the state's doctrine.
What these pastors SHOULD do is look Bill Clinton in the eye and remind him that it was on his watch that the IRS threatened to remove tax exempt status from churches who preach politics from the pulpit (a threat they have followed up on), and that these churches would not want to endanger their status by advocating for these issues. Unfortunately, they'll be so starstruck, they'll eat out of his hand.