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Four in 10 Americans believe that religious leaders should be permitted to endorse political candidates from the pulpit without risking their organization's tax-exempt status, a survey by the First Amendment Center shows.
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Comments (5)
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Won't bother me in the slightest 'cause I don't ever go to church -
Posted on October 6, 2008 1:19 PM
Black and liberal clergy do it anyway, with no fear of IRS reprisals or lawsuits. Conservative white clergy do it much less. The law has not been enforced evenly. Personally I wish the IRS ruling would stand. There is no fundamental right to tax exempt status. I don't think it is the mission of the church to tell people whom to vote for. I do think it is the job of the church to teach what the Scriptures have to say about the purpose of the civil authority and our response to it, but that is different. But if things are to be kept as they are, then the rules should apply equally to all churches.
Posted on October 6, 2008 1:29 PM
Honestly, race or standing has no play in who does/does not endorse political candidates. It is done far more than it should, from BOTH sides! Leave the ruling alone and enforce it strongly!
Shalom
Posted on October 6, 2008 8:29 PM
Let 'em endorse and then pay taxes. Render unto Caeser.
Posted on October 7, 2008 2:53 PM
I personally don't go to church to be told who to vote for. Maybe to be told to vote is okay, but I think it becomes a form of advertisement for them to endorse someone specifically. Besides, you're not going to go to any other kind of business or venue and find people endorsing candidates because that would be off-putting to people who don't agree.
Posted on October 7, 2008 3:44 PM