“Do you require a pastor to tell you how to think on political issues?”
No, but he should be allowed to anyway. Do you really think that the church of the left including the non profits like PBS, NPR, Rainbow coalition, etc. will have their status removed? Wake up if the congregation doesnt like it then they can leave. If the preacher teaches hate and racism, ie. Wright, then the congregation is just as culpable. Free speech should not be subject to the IRS, if it is then pretty soon you wont be able to post on FR - think Im wrong? wait till McCAin or Obama get elected.
“No, but he should be allowed to anyway.”
He won’t in my congregation. It is wrong to do so. That type of action embodies every wrong that has been done over the ages in the church.
Churches that get involved in politics are usually a group of self dealing slimeballs.
“left including the non profits like PBS, NPR, Rainbow coalition”
These are not churches, they are not proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.
The Rainbow Coalition is a group of thugs which should be jailed for extortion.
Individually Christians should however be deeply involved with politics. Just not through the pulpit or official church actions.
Christians are negligent if they are not involved, they need to be on local school boards all the way up to POTUS.