[xzins]

(The pastor gives up his right to free speech by claiming tax-exempt status.)

I'm a pastor, and that's simply not true. All of us pay income taxes PLUS social security at the self-employed rate PLUS tax on all benefits.

[Marie]

Do disrespect intended, sir; but I must ask: Are you saying that you can publicly endorse or speak out against a candidate or speak for/against a bill from the pulpit of your church and maintain your church’s tax-exempt status?

[Brent Calvert 03969-030]

‘m a pastor, and that’s simply not true. All of us pay income taxes PLUS social security at the self-employed rate PLUS tax on all benefits.

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Pastors can file an exemption based on religious conviction with the IRS and opt out of Social Security. I do not know if this applies to certain mainstream denominations that have their rules of faith dictated by a national organization, but it certainly applies to many non-denominational pastors.