Pulpit to Soapbox

When did religious leaders step down from their pulpits
to get up on the soapbox?
Will they now allow elected leaders to speak
from the holiest of holies to pronounce economic policies?

Does this mean that religious have given up
speaking directly to their flocks to use politics
to solve the hard problems?
Does religion not hold enough meaning
to keep up the numbers?

Has religion tried hard enough
within itself to solve life's problems?
To save and nurture a soul preaching
was how it was done not the ballot box.

Now, with respect to these religions,
to me, most are true and the followers of them should just do it.
However, respect is given to those that earn it
from their actions and not elections.

In the end, I say to you learn your words and live them true,
it is how people will judge you.