A group of more than 100 pastors will visit the South Carolina State House this week, visiting with top statewide officials and meeting members of the legislature as part of “Pastor’s Day 2018.”
The visit – organized by Palmetto Family – comes amid a contentious debate over this year’s personhood legislation, which has tied the State Senate in knots for several weeks.
The pastors will begin their day at the University of South Carolina’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry (819 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201) – hearing remarks from S.C. attorney general Alan Wilson and former U.S. senator Jim DeMint. From there they will travel to the second floor lobby of the S.C. State House, where they will be “led in prayer” by S.C. lieutenant governor Kevin Bryant – one of the four main candidates for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in 2018.
After that, the pastors will meet with members of the legislature individually.
No word yet on whether any exorcisms are planned …
“The goal of the event is to connect every member of the South Carolina legislature with a faith leader from the district they represent and to offer spiritual support,” a statement from the organization noted.
“Pastor’s Day 2017 was an amazing success as both pastors and South Carolina legislators raved about the opportunity to connect with one another,” said Erik Corcoran “We expect and pray that Pastor’s Day 2018 will produce the same exciting results and fruitful relationships.”
Good … we wish these pastors well.
It doesn’t give us heartburn when spiritual leaders try to influence government. That’s their First Amendment right. We get heartburn when government tries to interject itself into religion (or religious institutions).
As for this particular group and its efforts, we certainly look forward to hearing what its leaders have to say on the pressing issues of the day in the Palmetto State.
***
WANNA SOUND OFF?
Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our stories? Please feel free to submit your own guest column or letter to the editor via-email HERE. Got a tip for us? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE. Want to support what we’re doing? SUBSCRIBE HERE.
Banner: iStock