Cal Thomas’s latest column, which takes Pat Robertson to task for his Chavez-assassination fatwa, is a must-read. Cal’s call for ministers (on the left and the right) to be less political and partisan, to be more involved in their fundamental duty as shepherds helping their flocks reach salvation through virtuous living, to not get sucked into the belief that government is the be-all and end-all and cure-all, is refreshing in its plainly stated wisdom. Here’s a snippet:

Too many Christians think if they shout loud enough and gain political strength the world will be improved. That is a false doctrine. I have never seen anyone “converted” to a Christian’s point of view (and those views are not uniform) through political power. I have frequently seen someone’s views changed after they have experienced true conversion and then live by different standards and live for goals beyond which political party controls the government.

And no, I’m not posting this because Cal is coming on NR’s 2006 Rhine River cruise. Look – no link!