THE DOORS OF THE black church are open.

That normally refers to a time when someone who is hurting, has lost his or her way or needs redemption can come for prayer, receive Christ or join the local church.

These days, it means the Democratic presidential primary is in full swing. Candidates are making token appearances at churches in search of black votes.

But whether you’re talking about black churches or white churches, God’s house is no common place. It’s not a place where politicians — or dignitaries who support a candidate — should be allowed to parade through to sway God’s people to vote for them.

They should be welcome to visit and worship. They should fill out a visitor’s card and be recognized like any other guest.

However, churches shouldn’t interrupt sacred worship services for political posturing. It concerns me greatly when candidates, or someone on their behalf, are allowed to take the pulpit and begin espousing political views.

I’ve seen more than enough television footage and newspaper photos of candidates politicking in black churches. The one that set me off was a photo in The State of former Ambassador Andrew Young at Bible Way of Atlas Road that had this caption: “Andrew Young, a former UN ambassador and former mayor of Atlanta, endorses Clark for president during speech at the church.”

South Carolina is no Iowa or New Hampshire, and not just because its voters are more conservative. It is the first state where a significant number of registered Democrats are African-American; half of the votes cast in the primary could come from black voters. Many believe the candidate who wins the African-American vote here will get the bulk of the black vote in other states.

South Carolina is a place where the wheat will be separated from the chaff, so to speak. Candidates who limp through Iowa and New Hampshire could be revived or put to rest here, while the survivors move on.

That does not justify politicians pouncing on churchgoers. Yes, church is a place where they can reach a large, captive black audience. But these captives sit in the pews in an effort to be set free — for at least one day a week — from the cares of the world, including politics.

They don’t attend church services on Sundays to be courted by candidates or solicited by businesses. By the time they arrive at church for worship, many have had a long, sometimes exhausting and trying week. They need spiritual nourishment, a getaway from the world that has beaten them down all week long. While they might come looking for hope, it’s not to be found in some of the hollow promises and gaudy platforms of politicians.

I recognize the important role churches play in educating their congregations. It makes sense for churches to hold forums and even allow candidates to address people on a day other than Sunday. But even then, it should be in the best interest of the congregation and in keeping with the will of God.

The church has a God-ordained purpose and must fulfill that, not yield to a Democratic or Republican agenda.

The church ought to be a light and a leader. It must set its own agenda, not be manipulated by any social, civic, civil rights or political organization. It should answer first and foremost to God and not man. And it certainly should not be a pawn used by vote-seeking politicians. In most cases, candidates visit churches during campaign season and are never heard from again; that’s true not only with presidential candidates, but even some state and local ones.

Ever since South Carolina was identified as a key state, Democratic campaigns have been bombarding churches in the Palmetto State, asking pastors for some sort of special access to their services. I heard one pastor say he had received calls from just about every camp. He told them they are welcome to attend and worship, but he hasn’t offered them an opportunity to speak or take the pulpit. It’s not surprising he hasn’t heard back from them.

One thing that has made this particularly prickly is the candidacy of the Rev. Al Sharpton. It’s not just because he’s an African-American, but because he’s a preacher.

The fact that the Rev. Sharpton has not only attended but preached at a number of churches has really opened the door and the pulpit to politics. That’s not to say that he has not preached the gospel; I’ve not heard him, but others tell me he proclaims it well.

However, let’s not be fooled. The Rev. Sharpton’s appearances have been politically motivated. I could be wrong; but here’s a way to test my theory.

After it’s all said and done, let’s see how many churches bring him back to preach their revivals.

Reach Mr. Bolton at (803) 771-8631 or wbolton@thestate.com.