'Unshackling the pulpit' or 'a brazen attack'?: 7 reactions to IRS letting pastors endorse politicians
4. Vote Common Good
Doug Pagitt, a Minnesota pastor and executive director of the progressive Evangelical grassroots organization Vote Common Good, which has organized several anti-Republican political rallies in the last few election cycles, supported the IRS decision.
In a statement given to The Christian Post, Pagitt said he believes that the "decision to allow churches to endorse candidates from the pulpit levels a playing field that has been lopsided for decades."
"For too long, Republican politicians and their allies have spoken freely from pulpits, while too many Democrats and faith leaders held back, worried they would cross an invisible line. This decision removes that roadblock," he said.
"We view this as a significant opportunity for Democrats to engage faith voters en masse. With 80% of Christian voters open to voting for a Democrat, this change opens the door for more honest, values-based conversations in faith communities across the country."
Some progressive pastors have not been afraid to share their voice politically in recent years. This includes Pastor Jamal Bryant of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, who in 2022 criticized Republican Herschel Walker and encouraged his congregation to vote for Democrat Raphael Warnock for the U.S. Senate seat in Georgia.
