NEW YORK (AP) - Conservative legal advocates are recruiting pastors nationwide to defy an IRS ban on preaching about politicians, in a challenge they hope will abolish the restriction.
The Alliance Defense Fund, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., will ask the clergy to deliver a sermon about specific candidates Sept. 28. If the action triggers an IRS investigation, the legal group will sue to overturn the federal rules, which were enacted in 1954.
Under the IRS code, churches can distribute voter guides, run voter registration drives, hold forums on public policy and invite politicians to speak at their congregations.
However, they cannot endorse a candidate, and their political activity cannot be biased for or against a candidate, directly or indirectly.
The Alliance Defense Fund said Friday that the regulations amount to an unconstitutional limit on free speech and government intrusion into religion.
"It certainly does have a chilling effect," said Mike Johnson, senior counsel for the fund. "I think that there is a lot of fear and intimidation and disinformation about the parameters that do exist."
Johnson said about 100 pastors have expressed interest in participating so far.
The IRS has stepped up monitoring of nonprofit political activity during the 2008 election. Punishments can range from a financial penalty to loss of tax-exempt status.
IRS investigations are confidential and the agency does not discuss the cases.
However, the United Church of Christ, which counts Sen. Barack Obama as a member, has said that it is under IRS review because of a speech given by the Democratic presidential candidate at the denomination's national meeting last year.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State, an advocacy group in Washington, monitors church political activity and consistently files complaints with the IRS. They said Friday that they will notify the agency of any pastor who participates in the ADF campaign.
Some religious groups support keeping politics out of the pulpit.
J. Brent Walker, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty in Washington, which advocates for religious freedom, said churches should be involved in public issues, but partisan activity can "compromise the essential calling to spread the Gospel."
"The church can't raise prophetic fist at a candidate or at a party," Walker said, "when it's locked up in a tight bear hug with that candidate or party."
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Since the church is in bed with there master. They applied for and got 501(c)3 status they have change what they are please read 508 of title 26. They have made a contract with the enemy. So, why now are they complaining. Because of that contract there is no separation of church and state. Remember they the churches have asked them the IRS to be of that 501(C)3 statutes.
Bravo! You would think the U.S was communist China, where they can't share or teach to gospel to some one under 18! This law is so unconsitutional, and only help the unaccountable poli-tics to remain unchallenged and unaccountable.
It is the pastors obligation to make the church members under his charge informed about the issues and informed about the candidates that stand for or against the truth and authority of scripture. It is the right to free speech and the "Infernal" Revenue Service has no right to regulate free speech from our pulpits.
Hi, JHS. What has blown up in this country is the desire for the truth by the media. Having lived in a Muslim country myself (went to a school for missionary kids in one) and in the "Christian city in the southern Philippines" where the bike bombs were going off, I can tell you the terrorists only want one thing. They want western culture gone...period. It is a hate infused misdoctrine by the extreamists. It doesn't matter if you like Bush or hate him. It doesn't matter how you live or who you are. Just the way you posted would make you an enemy because of the democracy overtones in it. To them, you're just as bad as Bush if you're not one of them.
It is unfortunate that you buy into the whole media lie about what's really going on. Once you get it through your brain that they want you dead simply for not being one of them...then you may understand why we are doing what we are doing overseas. It truely is fight them there or fight them here in the USA. They want us dead because we dare to think as we choose. Plain and simple.
Since the death of James Kennedy and Falwell, and other right wingers of the you can only be a christian if your a republican preachers, The right wing can see the hand writing on the wall after their wonderful neocon Bush is blowing up in their face, and they know theywill lose big in november. this is going tobe good
Now now jar1961. Govenment existed long before the Kings.
Our forefathers saw the same flaw with the 'king' concept that God pointed out and founded a democratic republic which had no king. Our country was to be a country based on what's right and not on the word of some one human. Our founding fathers had quite a bit to say about how we should look to God for guidance in many of our founding documents. Our original laws were based on those 10 commandments which had to do with inter-human relationships (thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal...).
The Jewish nation was ruled by Levitical law. They wanted to add opinion to their society and look where it got them! Jesus is our King. We need no other. If I want/need an opinion, His works just fine.
For the Christians on this board.. Ya know.. the birth of government is not the fault of the unbelieving world...it is the fault of God's people.... And as God taught, in seeking a king we would lament... 1 Sam CHapter 1.. which is why I always say... we get the government we deserve...
Daniel Paul said: "Our government became dependent on the money (political greed) and it never ended."
Oh like what 16K in flowers!! Or all the first class plane rides they take. Ridiculous! If politicians would actually get paid more on the budget of an average american and quit wasting our tax money we might not be in so much debt!
http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/pelosi_spends_16000_on_flowers_for_her_office/
As an after thought...are the ACLU and Planned Parenthood 501(c)3 organizations?
For those who don't remember their history lessons from WW II, income tax was a short term solution to fund the war and was to be ended at the ending of the war. It is not constitutional. Our government became dependent on the money (political greed) and it never ended. If the government played by it's own rules the IRS wouldn't be an issue.
Still, our church is very clear about paying what taxes you owe. One of the principles preached at our church is if you want to know where a persons heart is just look at their check book. Look at how they do their taxes. Christians render onto Ceasar what is Ceasar's and to God that which is Gods. Maybe this isn't normal for a megachurch.
Also, our books at this point have our minstries (programs which help and serve people) to be over budget. In short, we would need to take in WAY more money to show a profit of some kind.
Jar1961..."not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office." I believe that's what I said!
Our church actually formed as a corporation to avoid some of these issues and to give us more freedoms for some of our ministries. It was a choice on our part. Still, the purpose of the Church is to stand for what is right. There is no area of our society which needs that more than politics! Many cases that have gone to court have been ruled in favor of the church. My statements were based on what the court has already determined.
Just FYI, our pastor was a lawyer and then he repented. We find that way more funny than he does! He has investigated this quite a bit from a legal stand point. In short, pastors may preach whatever the wish provided it does not support a particular candidate.
Most Churches don't make enough to worry about taxes in the first place. If they do their books honestly, I think they do, I am sure that the profit is very small, if there even is one.
this may not be true for large churches, but they could afford the taxation, which is illegal any way.
Where does the Constitution give gov the power the IRS has to control ANY speech? Do tax free foundations have the same rules applied to them? We know many of them support causes that are UN-US American.
Many good comments here!
What is Political????
Churches must stick to VALUES which are derived from our Morals. Churches must also stick to Faith issues.
You see it isn't Churches that have become Political, it is the Politicians who have become IMMORAL!!! We must reject any IMMORAL teaching by the Government like Slavery, Like Abortion, like gay marriage, like Euthanasia, like cloning, etc.
The government has lost its Moral compass because the Government doesn't put God first.
RECCE1: And all God's people said: AMEN!!!!!!