Anybody disagree with him?
So why register your church with the IRS and agree not to endorse candidates in the first place?
Unfortunately it often happens the other way around - Democrats.
It is possible to avoid this entirely by citing scripture and saying that Christians need to vote for the pro life, pro family candidates. Then handout questionnaires/checklists of where everyone stands after the service.
....Sharpton and Jackson laughing their asses off right now
the there's the WWJD thingy - He kept the two entities separated: "Render unto Caesar..." and
his action is akin to the folk who refuse to pay income tax and end up behind bars, with nada accomplished - and lastly -
I wonder if he first got his congregations approval to put the church in jeopardy of financial ruin?
Sometimes, whistling into the wind is just a futile act. Spitting into the wind is a foolish one.
..
You suck at the master’s teat, you play by the master’s rules.
Without going to the link, is there any mention of Democrats and “Black Churches” or Jessie, or Al or Jermemiah?
There are so many ways a pastor can talk politics as far as who and who not to vote for you just have to word it right. without ever mentioning a party by name just layout what a supposed good Christian should and should not stand for based on Biblical truths.
If I want an unsolicited worthless political opinion, I can always rely on the MSM. When I go to church, I would like to learn something about spiritual things that I do not already know. And what I do not know about spiritual things is infinite. When it comes to politics I know too much, I have to make a simple choice. Do I choose the Devil I do know or do I choose the Devil I don’t know.
First of all, ‘separation of church and state’ appears no where in the U.S. Constitution; it’s a fabrication allegedly founded on the ‘establishment’ clause. Secondly, this IRS harassment will focus exclusively on white conservative institutions and completely ignore the goings on in churhes operated by the likes of Reverend Wright (that would be racist-Wright gets mentioned, finally, at page 3 of the above article). This selective persecution will get a ‘pass’ from the MSM, as did the Clintons use of the FBI to gather intelligence on political enemies and the selective use of IRS audits to intimidate conservative organizations like the Heritage Foundation. An Obama presidency, along with the full support of the alleged ‘watchdog’ media, will be the beginning of the end of civil liberties in America. As is is now on many college campuese, the key to survival will be KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT AND DO NOTHING TO REVEAL YOUR THOUGHTS.
The worst that can happen is the church will lose its tax-free status. Some would say, myself included, that this would be a good thing. Now the pastor is truly free to preach the whole Word of God without any government restrictions. He could back any candidate he wanted to and even name names. They may have to cut a program or two because of a tighter budget, though.
(I gag when I say former church because Obama only gave up his membership for political purposes, not because he disagrees with anything that was preached there.)
Other "non-profit, tax-exempt organizations as well have no problem with endorsing liberal candidates: NEA, Planned Parenthood, et al.
It is only when conservstive congregations and pastors come out favoring pro-life, pro-family, pro-faith messages from the bible, face IRS "investigations" (some might refer to them as "inquisitions") from the secular, leftist, hate-mongering "IRS".
And then only when "congressional or private citizens" report them and have the strong arm of the (in)Justice Department come after them.
I’ve fought against leftist politics in my own church but I’ve backed off my earlier position of banning politics in the pulpit. My position is now that they can do as they please, but I reserve the right to debate, withhold funds, or just leave.
This is clearly designed to create a test case. If the pastor has the approval of his board of deacons (or it’s equivalent), then more power to him.
It is constitutionally questionable that the United States restricts constitutional rights in order for a bona fide religious organization to be tax exempt.
--Jim Croce
The problem is two-fold:
First, the government has double standards and the black churches host Democrtas all the time and support these candidates through demagoguery on a weekly basis. But a white/black/yellow/red/blue/green person who endorses or hosts a conservative/GOP candidate is threatened with loss of tax exemption. Heck, one doesn’t even have to be close to a Republican to be threatened. Only mention opposition to abortion or homosexuality from the pulpit and you may be jailed for hate speech.
Second: Churches ought to be advocates for the adoration of the living God; not be spewing political messages which get in the way of any growth of holiness in the congregation.
A person has a right to free speech in America.
501c3 charities voluntarily give up that freedom in exchange for a non-profit tax status.
I agree that they cannot engage in advocacy.
I wish that ABCDisney would not practice deceit and expose ALL churches that endorse or oppose a candidate. Trinity did just that when they disparaged the continued candidacy of Mrs. Clinton.
And how about NPR, PBS, and Pacifica Radio?
Defund the left. Expose the tax cheats.
The pastor involved here is an idiot, he's forcing an issue. He should know that the first result will be to take pressure OFF of the liberal pulpits because he's invited the feds to act on HIS lectures.
(Rev. Wright and his ilk get a break)
The article does cite opposition to abortion (etc) but points out that he identified Obama and Clinton as targets. It goes on later to note that other ministers (liberal) are better at the game because they haven't said "McCain" out loud.
Interesting, and to my point, it sticks with election issues and electionering. It does not go on to address the Catholic church's huge involvement in illegal immigration here and liberal politics in latin America.
(Maybe it's a language thing.)
As to "separation of church and state"...that's a sham, but it's another debate. THIS issue is abuse of tax exempt status and that would apply to any church that told its congregation how to vote from the pulpit, otherwise involved itself in politics, or openly broke US (immigration) laws.
Outside of official duties a minister has the same rights as I do so long as he is NOT preaching or acting as an agent of the church when mouthing off.
Its about damn time. Pulpits have been silent for too long, remember it was that filthy POS LBJ who enacted this. Any church that is unwilling to speak the truth re. the bible, politicians or social issues (homos) is not worth going to. “Salt and the light.....”
Churches need to focus on Christ, not politics.
Church members do not need a pastor to tell them how to pick political candidates.
Those pastors should be fired and the churches need their tax exempt status yanked.
The Dems have doing this crap in their “churches” for years; it is wrong.
Conservatives need not follow this flawed way of behaving
Anybody disagree with him?
I think God has more important things on His plate.