Sermon on the stump: Pastors to violate IRS law

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2008/09/27/20080927Montini0928.html

Would Jesus Christ sport a "Yes We Can" Obama '08 button on his tunic? Or would the Prince of Peace prefer a "Country First" McCain T-shirt?

Your pastor might tell you at church today, shortly before he lets you know which political candidates deserve your vote.

Then, if their prayers are answered, the right politicians will be elected and the reverends will get busted by federal agents.

Today, more than 30 ministers from across the country plan to purposefully violate federal law by endorsing political candidates during their church sermons.

Religious people, like the rest of us, can say what they want. It's a free country.

is that the organization works for the good of the community, and brings benefits to the community that outweigh the loss in tax revenue.

No non-profit should be allowed to lobby and involve themselves in partisan politics.

I believe strongly in the freedom of the pulpit; but not when it comes to pushing partisan agendas (whether it's a pro-Democratic or pro-Republican or pro-whatever).

All members of a community are, by the nature of allowing a non-profit to be tax-exempt, supporting that non-profit (even if the community members don't themselves give money directly to it) - hence, the organization should speak on behalf of the community.

If a church wants to endorse politicians, then let them register as a lobbying group, and let them pay taxes like all politically active groups.

When they do - they assume their "flock" will support (1) blatant political posturing from the pulpit and (2) their personal political agenda. They may find their congregation bristling at this blatant abuse of their "calling" and their trust.

When you mix politics and religion politics doesn't get cleaner, religion get dirtier.

Their parishioners are going to lose the tax breaks that they get from their donations. It isn't going to make Mr and Mrs Smith too happy.

Was sent out of town wearing tar and feathers... it could come into vogue again - soon.

But when it comes to voting and politics I don't think it works. My Pastor is a Liberal Dem and if he endorsed Obama, more than 2/3Rd's of the folks would blow him off. So to this I say, Big Fucking Deal....but they should all get an IRS letter and a visit, oh I forgot, LAWS are only for the "other" guys, you know the Dems.

I don't listen to them anyway, so whatever they want to tell me about politics will get the same consideration.

there are some things they can legally do: tell their congregations when the voter registration deadlines are, how to find their polling places, remind them to vote on election day. Endorsing candidates or issues should lose them their exempt status. As Jesus said, there are things that belong to God and things that belong to Caesar.

Individual clergy campaigning on their own time and dime is a grayer area, IMHO: on the one hand they are citizens, but on the other they can unduly influence people.