Religious institutions should not ask the state to solve problems we have the capacity to address ourselves. Yet, in every city across this country there is a need that faith-based leaders talk about from the pulpit and then expect government to answer. In doing so we are shirking our responsibilities and failing our communities. Abortion, poverty, addiction, poor education, and so on -- the list of that which ails our communities is far too great, and the private sector faith-based efforts to address these problems in many cases is far too small. The unintended consequence is that churches have lost influence in the lives of the everyday citizens in the communities that surround them. In conservative circles, outside of core responsibilities such as the national defense, we prefer small, restrained government. But we cannot shut our eyes and act as if the communities in which we live have all of their needs met. Nor can religious leaders close up shop at the end of our weekend...(Read Full Article)