Posted on 09/26/2008 1:32:59 PM PDT by Caleb1411
As the presidential election draws closer, a conservative group has launched an effort to “reclaim pastors’ constitutional right to speak freely and truthfully from the pulpit.”
Pastors may comment on candidates and voting -- without fearing loss of their tax exemption, the Alliance Defense Fund insists.
The group says its Pulpit Initiative is a legal effort designed to protect the First Amendment rights of pastors. As part of that effort, pastors participating in Pulpit Freedom Sunday on September 28 will deliver to sermons of their own that apply Scripture to the subject of candidates running for government office.
Not so fast, critics say: Pulpit Freedom Sunday “raises serious moral and legal questions,” according to the Anti-Defamation League.
History on their side
The Alliance Defense Fund notes that pastors through history have “spoken Scriptural truth from the pulpit” on topics such as slavery, women’s suffrage, child labor and prostitution. Pastors also have spoken from the pulpit for and against various political candidates.
That changed in 1954 with the passage of an amendment proposed by then-Senator Lyndon Johnson. The Johnson amendment changed the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit churches and other non-profit organizations from supporting or opposing a candidate for office.
After the amendment passed, churches faced a choice of either continuing their tradition of speaking out -- or silencing themselves to retain their church’s tax exemption.
The Internal Revenue Service, along with groups such as Americans United for Separation of Church and State, has used the Johnson amendment “to create an atmosphere of intimidation and fear for any church that dares to speak Scriptural truth about candidates for office or issues,” the Alliance Defense Fund said.
“It is time for the intimidation and threats to end,” the group said on its Web site. “By standing together and speaking with one voice, it is our hope to recapture the rightful place of pastors and churches in American life.”
‘Defying the law’
The Anti-Defamation League says the Alliance Defense Fund is trying to force a showdown with the Internal Revenue Service.
The law bars nonprofits from partisan political activity, ADL said.
"Houses of worship have been legally prohibited from getting involved in political campaigns, and for good reason," said Abraham Foxman, ADL National Director. "Calling on clergy to campaign from their pulpits is urging them to defy the law.”
The ADL is urging ministers and other religious leaders to refrain from making endorsements from the pulpit.
"Ministers and pastors, in their personal capacity, already have every right to support or oppose candidates for public office," said Mr. Foxman.
"They can speak out on political issues, and promote voter participation and voter education initiatives. But politicizing churches coerces congregants, distorts the political system and poses a serious threat to religious liberty."
The conservative Liberty Counsel has issued political and legislative guidelines for pastors and churches:
The Counsel says churches may not endorse or oppose political candidates, but pastors may. Churches may not contribute to a political candidate, but pastors may. Churches may not raise funds for candidates, but pastors may.
And the Liberty Counsel says both churches and pastors may engage in voter registration programs and campaigns.
Calling on clergy to campaign from their pulpits is urging them to defy the law.”
A law that violates the US Constitution.....
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