1,500 Pastors Defy IRS Ban on Preaching Politics

1,500 Pastors Defy IRS Ban on Preaching Politics

It seems there is a movement from the Religious Right to "strategically litigate", up to the Supreme Court, a "Church's" right to endorse or slam a political candidate, without loosing their Tax Exempt Status.

Called Pulpit Freedom Sunday and organized by the Arizona-based conservative group Alliance Defending Freedom, nearly 1,500 pastors across the country took part this year during an election cycle in which same-sex marriage and abortion have become major issues between Democratic and GOP rivals.

The preachers are hoping that the political sermons in the vast number of churches will eventually lead to the U.S. Supreme Court having to rule on the controversial tax law.

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Here's an example:

Preaching Politics, Pastors Defy Ban
Pastors Can Endorse Candidates if They Give Up Their Tax Exemption

LA MESA, Calif.—Pastor Jim Garlow began his preaching with a Scripture-filled discussion of Jesus’ disgust with hypocrisy—typical fare for a Sunday sermon. But the conservative pastor finished with an exhortation to his congregation of nearly 2,000 to oppose Carl DeMaio, the openly gay Republican candidate for the state’s 52nd congressional district.

--------------

The evangelical Protestant pastor’s sermon had a political agenda, and a larger legal goal: It was an intentional violation of the law forbidding churches to engage in certain political speech meant to force U.S. courts to confront the issue. Churches registered as 501(c)3 nonprofits risk losing their tax-exempt status if they appear to endorse or oppose candidates from the pulpit.

I say NO! NO! NO! Sue them and take their Tax Exempt Status away, STAT!

Pastors and Priests and their "churches" are meant to minister to the spirit and address the choices of "salvation and repentance", not to use their position from the pulpit, as some supposed holy spokesperson, to try to limit individual choices and outlaw the perceived sins that they think need repentance!

Churches need to stop trying to legislate their biases and intolerance from the pulpit, and need to stay the ## out of the election and legislation process!

What say you ATS?

a reply to: windword

Regardless of political ideology, or are you just after those that disagree with you?

a reply to: windword

Let's make Pastors talking politics illegal, but put no limit on the amount of campaign funding or lobbying done by the mega corporations.

No agenda here, just go back to sleep.

a reply to: windword

I agree completely! I have no problem with churches preaching politics IF they pay taxes. They have become so active politically, they need to follow the rules or pay the consequences.

a reply to: windword

I say tax their butts for every sermon that includes politics.

originally posted by: beezzer
a reply to: windword

Regardless of political ideology, or are you just after those that disagree with you?

You have my opinion in the OP. Do have anything other than a personal attack to add to the topic?

a reply to: sacgamer25

“The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries."

James Madison

a reply to: windword

Slippery topic.

I can see this being a problem for people on both sides, however I can also see this used as a weapon when needed.

If we had people in power that truly believed "justice is blind" then I agree that they should not be using the pulpit for politics. We do not have those people in power.

A church endorsing a candidate that aligns with the core values of the congregation, or speaking out against one that is diametrically opposed makes sense. A congregation is a group of like minded individuals.

"God bless America? No I say God DAMN America" comes to mind as a pastor that used political speech and will never be investigated.

The OKC mosque has direct ties to recent beheading and reports of open calls for jihad, yet no investigation.

A pastor speak out against homosexuality and it makes headlines and their tax status should be reviewed.

It's not an "equal protection law" in my eyes, it is simply another tool to be used against opponents.

I am not religious and do not attend church in any form. I am just looking at the realities of the situation.

originally posted by: windword
1,500 Pastors Defy IRS Ban on Preaching Politics

It seems there is a movement from the Religious Right to "strategically litigate", up to the Supreme Court, a "Church's" right to endorse or slam a political candidate, without loosing their Tax Exempt Status.

Called Pulpit Freedom Sunday and organized by the Arizona-based conservative group Alliance Defending Freedom, nearly 1,500 pastors across the country took part this year during an election cycle in which same-sex marriage and abortion have become major issues between Democratic and GOP rivals.

The preachers are hoping that the political sermons in the vast number of churches will eventually lead to the U.S. Supreme Court having to rule on the controversial tax law.

Read Latest Breaking News from Newsmax.com www.Newsmax.com...
Urgent: Should Obamacare Be Repealed? Vote Here Now!

Here's an example:

Preaching Politics, Pastors Defy Ban
Pastors Can Endorse Candidates if They Give Up Their Tax Exemption

LA MESA, Calif.—Pastor Jim Garlow began his preaching with a Scripture-filled discussion of Jesus’ disgust with hypocrisy—typical fare for a Sunday sermon. But the conservative pastor finished with an exhortation to his congregation of nearly 2,000 to oppose Carl DeMaio, the openly gay Republican candidate for the state’s 52nd congressional district.

--------------

The evangelical Protestant pastor’s sermon had a political agenda, and a larger legal goal: It was an intentional violation of the law forbidding churches to engage in certain political speech meant to force U.S. courts to confront the issue. Churches registered as 501(c)3 nonprofits risk losing their tax-exempt status if they appear to endorse or oppose candidates from the pulpit.

I say NO! NO! NO! Sue them and take their Tax Exempt Status away, STAT!

Pastors and Priests and their "churches" are meant to minister to the spirit and address the choices of "salvation and repentance", not to use their position from the pulpit, as some supposed holy spokesperson, to try to limit individual choices and outlaw the perceived sins that they think need repentance!

Churches need to stop trying to legislate their biases and intolerance from the pulpit, and need to stay the ## out of the election and legislation process!

What say you ATS?

I don't see the churches in your OP that would espouse progressive or leftist political ideologies.

I would hope that you would be inclusive in your OP, but if you are simply targeting churches that promote a more conservative ideology than this is nothing mkore than an attempt at silencing the opposition.

originally posted by: windword
1,500 Pastors Defy IRS Ban on Preaching Politics

It seems there is a movement from the Religious Right to "strategically litigate", up to the Supreme Court, a "Church's" right to endorse or slam a political candidate, without loosing their Tax Exempt Status.

Called Pulpit Freedom Sunday and organized by the Arizona-based conservative group Alliance Defending Freedom, nearly 1,500 pastors across the country took part this year during an election cycle in which same-sex marriage and abortion have become major issues between Democratic and GOP rivals.

The preachers are hoping that the political sermons in the vast number of churches will eventually lead to the U.S. Supreme Court having to rule on the controversial tax law.

Read Latest Breaking News from Newsmax.com www.Newsmax.com...
Urgent: Should Obamacare Be Repealed? Vote Here Now!

Here's an example:

Preaching Politics, Pastors Defy Ban
Pastors Can Endorse Candidates if They Give Up Their Tax Exemption

LA MESA, Calif.—Pastor Jim Garlow began his preaching with a Scripture-filled discussion of Jesus’ disgust with hypocrisy—typical fare for a Sunday sermon. But the conservative pastor finished with an exhortation to his congregation of nearly 2,000 to oppose Carl DeMaio, the openly gay Republican candidate for the state’s 52nd congressional district.

--------------

The evangelical Protestant pastor’s sermon had a political agenda, and a larger legal goal: It was an intentional violation of the law forbidding churches to engage in certain political speech meant to force U.S. courts to confront the issue. Churches registered as 501(c)3 nonprofits risk losing their tax-exempt status if they appear to endorse or oppose candidates from the pulpit.

I say NO! NO! NO! Sue them and take their Tax Exempt Status away, STAT!

Pastors and Priests and their "churches" are meant to minister to the spirit and address the choices of "salvation and repentance", not to use their position from the pulpit, as some supposed holy spokesperson, to try to limit individual choices and outlaw the perceived sins that they think need repentance!

Churches need to stop trying to legislate their biases and intolerance from the pulpit, and need to stay the ## out of the election and legislation process!

What say you ATS?

I would agree to that as long as every other tax exempt put politically active groups, such as unions, planned parenthood, environmental groups, also lose their tax exempt status. The same rules for all is the only fair and just answer to the question.

originally posted by: sacgamer25
a reply to: windword

Let's make Pastors talking politics illegal, but put no limit on the amount of campaign funding or lobbying done by the mega corporations.

No agenda here, just go back to sleep.

Corporations pay taxes so they are allowed to do that. Churches don't. There is a key difference there. If you want churches to be able to do political speech then the church has to pay taxes. Then the church wouldn't have any limit on the funding or lobbying that they are allowed to do for political candidates.

This goes for this thread too. It's the same thing.

For the sake of clarity, what does the actual IRS rules say about "talking" political issues vs "endorsing" with ads and money and in print?

Or do they not draw any lines?

Peoples minds blur these days when it comes to differences or separations between their church and "state".

The want to feel the church is a part of their daily lives. During elections or football season they want to be reassured that what they are doing in the "real world" has connective-ness with their religious beliefs.

And the church doesn't charge cover at the door so…

originally posted by: beezzer

originally posted by: windword
1,500 Pastors Defy IRS Ban on Preaching Politics

It seems there is a movement from the Religious Right to "strategically litigate", up to the Supreme Court, a "Church's" right to endorse or slam a political candidate, without loosing their Tax Exempt Status.

Called Pulpit Freedom Sunday and organized by the Arizona-based conservative group Alliance Defending Freedom, nearly 1,500 pastors across the country took part this year during an election cycle in which same-sex marriage and abortion have become major issues between Democratic and GOP rivals.

The preachers are hoping that the political sermons in the vast number of churches will eventually lead to the U.S. Supreme Court having to rule on the controversial tax law.

Read Latest Breaking News from Newsmax.com www.Newsmax.com...
Urgent: Should Obamacare Be Repealed? Vote Here Now!

Here's an example:

Preaching Politics, Pastors Defy Ban
Pastors Can Endorse Candidates if They Give Up Their Tax Exemption

LA MESA, Calif.—Pastor Jim Garlow began his preaching with a Scripture-filled discussion of Jesus’ disgust with hypocrisy—typical fare for a Sunday sermon. But the conservative pastor finished with an exhortation to his congregation of nearly 2,000 to oppose Carl DeMaio, the openly gay Republican candidate for the state’s 52nd congressional district.

--------------

The evangelical Protestant pastor’s sermon had a political agenda, and a larger legal goal: It was an intentional violation of the law forbidding churches to engage in certain political speech meant to force U.S. courts to confront the issue. Churches registered as 501(c)3 nonprofits risk losing their tax-exempt status if they appear to endorse or oppose candidates from the pulpit.

I say NO! NO! NO! Sue them and take their Tax Exempt Status away, STAT!

Pastors and Priests and their "churches" are meant to minister to the spirit and address the choices of "salvation and repentance", not to use their position from the pulpit, as some supposed holy spokesperson, to try to limit individual choices and outlaw the perceived sins that they think need repentance!

Churches need to stop trying to legislate their biases and intolerance from the pulpit, and need to stay the ## out of the election and legislation process!

What say you ATS?

I don't see the churches in your OP that would espouse progressive or leftist political ideologies.

I would hope that you would be inclusive in your OP, but if you are simply targeting churches that promote a more conservative ideology than this is nothing mkore than an attempt at silencing the opposition.

Well, that's the true answer. Leftist Pastors such as Reverend Wright and anti-gun activists like Father Michael Pfleger get a pass.

a reply to: windword

Here's the thing, just because you don't consider it wrong, doesn't mean that it isn't. People in churches in general don't like homosexuals. Here this law is, telling people what they can, or cannot say in the public arena of their own backyard. Censorship at it's finest, but because it's happening to Christians, it's 'ok...'

Take away their tax-exempt status, it is not about money, it is about your very soul. Until folks like you realize that there is more here at stake then the dollars in your wallet, this World will stagnate the way it has for over a century now. People are afraid to speak out, for fear of non-conformity, for fear of rejection by these same people they are trying to save. Laws like this only intend to stifle dissent, because religious people are not allowed to have an opinion, or hold a view contrary to the machine.

a reply to: 200Plus

A church endorsing a candidate that aligns with the core values of the congregation, or speaking out against one that is diametrically opposed makes sense. A congregation is a group of like minded individuals.

The preacher can preach about core values and how to find them, all day long. What he can't do is endorse a particular candidate or party, or slam a particular candidate or party. If they do so, they deserve to loose their Tax Exempt Status.

a reply to: Chronogoblin

If it's not about the money, then the churches should be ok with paying taxes. Their 501(c)3 status comes with the STRICT guideline that they aren't allowed to be political, they agreed to it when they took the status and they need to abide by it. If you say it's not about the money, then they should be ok with paying the taxes. You can't have the best of both worlds.

If a church thinks killing yourself is a sin, yet politicians make suicide legal, is the church forbidden to ever talk about suicide again because some politician made it a political issue?

I think we are seeing a back-handed way of silencing churches, restricting 1st Amendment rights.

a reply to: Krazysh0t

Again about the money. Is that all you people care about? It really is impossible to serve two masters...

a reply to: windword

As long as that is applied across the board I agree.

But we aren't seeing that happen are we?