Rogue pastors endorse candidates, but IRS looks away

Politico ^ | 11/3/2014 | By RACHAEL BADE

[SeekAndFind]

A record number of rogue Christian pastors are endorsing candidates from the pulpit this election cycle, using Sunday sermons to defiantly flout tax rules.

Their message to the IRS: Sue me.

But the tax agency is doing anything but. Although the IRS was sued itself for not enforcing the law and admitted about 100 churches may be breaking the rules, the pastors and their critics alike say the agency is looking the other way. The agency refuses to say if it is acting.

At the same time, the number of pastors endorsing candidates in what they call Pulpit Freedom Sunday jumped from 33 people in 2008 to more than 1,600 this year, according to organizers, Alliance Defending Freedom. And this year, they’ve stepped up their drive, telling pastors to back candidates any Sunday up until the election, not just one Sunday as in past years.

The church leaders are jumping in high-profile races that will help decide the Senate and tight governor races across the country, endorsing candidates from Thom Tillis (R) over Sen. Kay Hagan (D) in North Carolina to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) over Alison Lundergan Grimes (D) in Kentucky.

Rev. Mark Cowart, pastor at Colorado Springs-based Church For All Nations, suggested good Christians should vote Democratic Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper out of office in an Oct. 19 sermon, where he endorsed his GOP rival, Bob Beauprez.

[GeronL]

They should. But if Joel Osteen did it, he’d tell his people that the water is fine, don’t change horses.

[Buckeye McFrog]

The IRS is deathly afraid of a challenge getting to SCOTUS. Based on how they’ve ruled on things like Citizens United in recent years, they’d likely chuck this stupid rule once and for all.

[lightman]

Only those church members who “itemize” their deductions (roughly 30 percent of church-goers nationwide) could be affected by the possible loss of tax exempt status.

And even then it would only matter if you were audited.

[henkster]

There has been a trend in recent SCOTUS opinions that indicate the IRS regulation would be deemed unconstitutional. The Court has usually decided establishment and free exercise cases as restricting religion in American public life (Hobby Lobby v. Sebelius being a notable exception). However, where the religious entity has been able to argue an independent claim of exercise of Free Speech, the Court has shown an increasing willingness to rule against the government. And this is political speech, which has routinely received the highest protection under the 1st Amendment.

I think this regulation would not survive a test in the Supreme Court, not based on Free Exercise, but Free Speech.

[I want the USA back]

Right, and in non-black churches there are democrat plants sitting and recording everything.

[lostboy61]

That is OK as once more the Black Robe Regiment is starting to stand too. If G_Ds people will humble themselves and pray I will hear their prayers an heal the land. If I must fight, let it be with a Man of G_D to lead my unit.

[Secret Agent Man]

This is just myth that pastors can’t endorse politicians.

They have always been able to. They have to preface the remarks that it’s their personal opinion, not an official church opinion. But they have always been able to do this without any IRS risk. People and pastors may think they can’t but they can.

Liberty Counsel has excellent reference and resource material on this very subject for pastors and people, discussing tax letters, being able to discuss candidates, and views on issues.

[C210N]

My pastor simply said to vote in a godly manner

Test of Fire: Election 2012

[SunkenCiv]

A record number of rogue Christian pastors are endorsing candidates from the pulpit this election cycle, using Sunday sermons to defiantly flout tax rules... Although the IRS was sued itself for not enforcing the law and admitted about 100 churches may be breaking the rules, the pastors and their critics alike say the agency is looking the other way. The agency refuses to say if it is acting... according to organizers, Alliance Defending Freedom. And this year, they've stepped up their drive, telling pastors to back candidates any Sunday up until the election, not just one Sunday as in past years.

[SunkenCiv]

Here’s info about a phony church where the ACLU’s local hq is located, right here in Grand Rapids

http://www.google.com/search?q=aclu+fountain+street+church