Al Franken Certified Winner, Coleman Vows Lawsuit

Al Franken Winner

Breast Cancer Vaccine Nears Trials

Breast Cancer Vaccine

Leon Panetta to Head CIA

US pastors plan to defy law and endorse candidates

The Alliance Defense Fund has called on 35 pastors across the country to break IRS tax laws and endorse presidential candidates during sermons. The pastors will draw on Bible passages tomorrow in a protest organized by the group of conservative Christian lawyers.

The ADF launched the effort to protest a 50-year-old law which bans churches, religious groups, and non-profit groups that accept tax deductions from endorsing candidates. Erik Stanley, a legal adviser with the ADF, said the group would be sending copies of the sermons to the IRS and would be seeking a Supreme Court case. The law, he said, was unconstitutional because "being tax-exempt is part of freedom of religion; otherwise the government could tax churches out of existence."

Minnesota reverend Gus Booth, who is participating in the protest, says he will be endorsing Senator McCain and has forbid his congregation from voting for Senator Obama due to his position on abortion. He defended his actions, saying "I have a First Amendment right to say whatever I want to say."

"Pulpit Freedom Sunday," as the event is being called, has drawn criticism from both religious and secular groups.

A group of former IRS officials and pastors held a conference on September 8, submitting a complaint to the IRS and urging other ministers to preach against the endorsements. One of the participants, former director of the IRS Marcus Owens, says the group may be facing a loss of its own tax exempt status and compared it to teaching people how to cheat on taxes.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the IRS are monitoring the situation.

By Wikinews
Julia Duin "Churches to defy IRS on sermons". The Washington Times, September 27, 2008.

Jane Lampman "Pulpit politics: Pastors to defy IRS". The Christian Science Monitor, September 26, 2008.

Duke Helfand "Pastors plan to defy IRS ban on political speech". The Los Angeles Times, September 25, 2008.

Today's Top News Stories >>
admin_huliq's picture

Posted September 28th, 2008 by admin_huliq

Your comments...

Free agent of God

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2008-12-04 20:25.
Americans for separation of church and state are the problem. America was founded aknowledgeing God. "All men are created equal." It is a ruse a lie and an abomination of freedom of speech to say that pastors cannot speak out on political issues. The only stat,memnt of the founding fathers was that a churc cannot be established by government. Excuse me. ASthiesm is an establishment of religeon, Darwinsim is a stupid lie based in a belief. Therefore it is the God of this lying athiestic falsehood being forced on churches. A church cannot be taxed. They should not even have to apply for tax exempt status. If the church has business they can pay tax on the income, but you do not tax donations, just like you do not cheritable contributions. The IRS does not have the right to muzzle free speech. SEAPARTION OF CHURCH AND STATE IS NOT IN THE CONSTITUTION. Religeon is the basis of all our laws. God is the author of right and wrong, not man. Man always does wrong, until he submitts to God. Killing is wrong no matter how small the person. Therefore cannibalizing embryos is killing, nad God's wrath will not wait much longer. He loves his creation and you who committ abortion are killing God. If preachers cannot preach morals, without hte church being taxed, we are in big trouble. Excuse me, also the church is a corporation but the pastor is a free agent called to serve the corporation. You cannot silence ministers of God they belong to God and are called of God, even 'tho a corporation may employ him. The state has no authority to silence the preaching of the word of God.