He was conducting a research poll with Christians in South Carolina and their opinions about voting, politics and the Christian Coalition. I was reminded of his request for information upon seeing a recent article in The State entitled, "Christian coalition off radar."

I went back in my sent messages folder to find the message and my replies to his questions. The message follows. My responses are in italics. Perhaps you would like to take the poll yourself. If so, just copy the information into a mail message and send it to .

You can also read the article from The State.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Hello,

My name is Jimmy Moore and I am a graduate student conducting a research poll with Christians in South Carolina and their opinions about voting, politics and the Christian Coalition. This research project is the last requirement I need to complete to attain my Master of Arts degree in Public Policy from
Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

If you are interested in participating, then please answer this 10-question survey below. You can either cut and paste the questions into an e-mail or print out the questions and write your answers in an e-mail to me at . It should only take you a few minutes to fill out, but it will provide me with invaluable information for my research. THANK YOU in advance for helping me with this. God bless you!

Jimmy Moore

P.S. Feel free to pass this survey on to other Christian South Carolina residents. I am trying to gather as much information from as many different people as soon as possible. THANK YOU!

FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES ONLY (Your information and responses will be kept confidential):

Your name:

Your address:

Your city/state: Greenville, SC

Your age:

SCCC VOTING AND OPINION POLL - FALL 2001
1. Do you vote in local, state and national elections? Why or why not?

- Yes. It is my civic duty.

2. How important does your faith in God affect the way you vote in elections?
Do you feel that Christians should be involved in government? Why or why not?

- My relationship with Jesus Christ affects everything I do. It therefore shapes the way I vote in elections.

- Christians have a responsibility to make sure that the Church continues to have freedom to best carry out the work that Christ commanded of us--to bring souls into His kingdom. This begins with prayer for our leaders (clearly commanded in scripture) and does not stop with direct involvement by working in campaigns or running for office ones self.

3. Have you heard of the South Carolina Christian Coalition?
Does the South Carolina Christian Coalition support issues that interest you?
If so, what are they? If not, what should they be supporting?

- I have heard of the organization and assume they support the positions I hold.

4. What do you think the South Carolina Christian Coalition does?

- I would think they fall under the umbrella of the national group and work on fund raising, lobbying, and educating voters.

5. Are you an active participant in the South Carolina Christian Coalition?
Why or why not?

- Nope. I am not because I do not believe that the Church is called to be a political entity. While individuals should be involved on a personal level, I do not believe that the Church should be organized with political aims in mind.

Often various beliefs that might not necessarily be Christian come under the umbrella of the organization (at least on the national level). This gives credence to unbiblical beliefs all for the goal of temporal political gain.

6. Should churches be involved in ANY way in elections? Why or why not?

- By law the Church is very hampered in this area. I do not believe we should break the law. I certainly believe the Church should encourage Christians to fulfill their individual civic duty, but not organize for political purposes.

a. Did you know that churches can conduct non-partisan voter registration/education drives?

- Yes, that is part of the encouragement to get involved.

b. Did you know that churches can host candiate forums where all candidates are invited and treated impartially?

- Yes, I have been to such events. However, there is a danger here of such events interfering with people in the community understanding the true mission of the church.

c. Did you know that churches can distribute voting records and candidate survey in compliance with the neutrality rules set forth by the IRS?

- Yes, my church has done so (with information from the SCCC).

d. Did you know that churches can rent their mailing list (at market value) to a candidate?

- Didn't know this--and my church would do so over my dead body :-)

e. Did you know that churches can publish an ad in the church bulletin for all who request, as long as the ad is purchased at the regular rate?

- Again, it may be allowed but what happens when the abortionist candidate asked to have an ad. Hmmmmm. I don't think so. I'd rather not..

f. Did you know that churches can publish news stories on political candidates, campaigns and third-party endorsements of candidates?

- Again, I don't see why the Church should do so. Let members within the church start their own "non-religious" community grassroots organization to do these things.

g. Did you know that churches can invite a political candidate to attend a church service or meeting?

- Don't mind this as long as you are inviting them to hear the Gospel.

7. Are you planning on being involved in the 2002 South Carolina elections?
Why or why not?

- I sure am.

8. Would you be willing to work with the Christian Coalition in the 2002 elections?
Why or why not?

- Nope, for the same reason as above. Rename it the Conservative Coalition that does not make religious affiliation a point and I might consider it. I simply cannot sacrifice the purity of the Gospel for political gain.

9. What do you think the South Carolina Christian Coalition needs to do to get more people of faith and churches involved in elections in South Carolina?

- Actually, they seem to have done a pretty good job here in SC.

10. Are there any other comments you would like to share about the South Carolina Christian Coalition that have not been covered?

- Can't think of anything. Would love to see the results you come up with. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate the work that the SCCC does. I simply cannot personally in good conscience become involved myself.

NOTE: I AM NOT AT ALL AFFILIATED WITH THE CHRISTIAN COALITION OTHER THAN THROUGH THIS RESEARCH PROJECT. THANK YOU!

Jimmy Moore

416 Ridgecrest Drive
Spartanburg, SC 29301
(864) 576-8650