10/21/2026 Update, @LEBcando commentary about activist pastors and "faith groups" protesting ICE: Faith or Activism? (Source links in comments) This week, "faith groups" held vigils on the New Hampshire State House lawn and in Milford protesting ICE. The news coverage called them "faith communities." But a name doesn't make it faith. When a pastor uses the pulpit to rally people against the law of the land, that's activism, and for me an activist pastor is an immediate fail. I grew up in a church torn apart by years of debate and division. I know what happens when a congregation's focus shifts away from Jesus. The church is called to preach the Gospel, care for souls, and point people to Christ. It isn't a staging ground for political protest or for stirring up disobedience to the government God allowed to be in place. If these groups want to protest, they should do it under their own names, and be honest about which churches and denominations stand behind them. Don't hide activism behind the word "faith." And it isn't just New Hampshire. In Texas, Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico says his pastor told him 'this campaign can also be a form of ministry.' A campaign is not a ministry. When pastors bless political campaigns and lead protests, they turn the house of the Lord into a campaign office. Activism inside the house of the Lord is an immediate fail. Jesus settled this a long time ago: "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:21) (1 AI image)