Action Urged Against Politicking Pastors

October 01, 2008

Action Urged Against Politicking Pastors

A group advocating separation of church and state has filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service against six churches it says flagrantly violated federal laws that prohibit clergy members from endorsing political candidates.

The six churches were participants in the so-called Pulpit Freedom Sunday, organized and promoted by the Alliance Defense Fund, a nonprofit legal support group intent on challenging the federal ban on political endorsements by clergy members.

The alliance has promised to provide legal support for the churches that face legal action.

In all, ADF says 31 churches participated in the sermon challenge, and two more are planning to do so soon. The alliance argues that the federal rules violate the First Amendment right to free speech.

“Pastors have a right to speak about Biblical truths from the pulpit without fear of punishment. No one should be able to use the government to intimidate pastors into giving up their constitutional rights,” said Erik Stanley, senior legal counsel for the organization, in a press release.

Opponents argue that the issue is not about free speech, but over the use of tax-exempt dollars to promote a partisan political agenda.

“When five of the six pastors choose to endorse John McCain, it’s hard not to see the ADF scheme as partisan in character,” said Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, in a written statement.

— Eric Kelderman

Comments

This is not a first amendment issue. No one is denying their right to say whatever they want. However, in doing so they are violating one of the conditions under which they are granted tax exempt status, so the IRS has a right—and an obligation—to cancel that status. Pastors do have the right to speak Biblical truths—and even their interpretation of Biblical truths. I have read the Bible, and I am quite sure that John McCain is not mentioned therein.

— Nancy Fallows Oct 1, 02:45 PM #
If the pastors of these churches are allowed to do this without consequences then all charities should be able to do so. I believe in separation of chuch and state.

— P.A. Goldsmith Oct 2, 02:03 PM #
Separate of church and state does not mean that the church can’t speak to issues and candidates. It does mean that the government should not run or regulate the church (and this is the issue being addressed) and that the church should not run the government. Separation of church and state is not in the US constitution so this is a free speech issue.

— D. Tiffin Oct 2, 03:15 PM #

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