Comments on: More than a thousand pastors have resolved to defy the IRS and preach politics from the pulpit before the election. https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/more-than-a-thousand-pastors-have-resolved-to-defy-the-irs-and-preach-politics-from-the-pulpit-before-the-election/ Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:10:30 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: wodun https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/more-than-a-thousand-pastors-have-resolved-to-defy-the-irs-and-preach-politics-from-the-pulpit-before-the-election/#comment-62541 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:10:30 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=19951#comment-62541 In reply to Robert Zimmerman.

I can agree with that but if politics were being preached at me, I would change churches and I think a lot of people with a old school protestant upbringing would do the same.

]]> By: Robert Zimmerman https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/more-than-a-thousand-pastors-have-resolved-to-defy-the-irs-and-preach-politics-from-the-pulpit-before-the-election/#comment-62524 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 21:47:56 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=19951#comment-62524 In reply to wodun.

You might not like it, but it ain’t any of our business to try to stop it. Freedom means they have the freedom to do it, whether you like it or not. And freedom also means the government has no say in the matter as well.

]]> By: wodun https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/more-than-a-thousand-pastors-have-resolved-to-defy-the-irs-and-preach-politics-from-the-pulpit-before-the-election/#comment-62507 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:52:59 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=19951#comment-62507 I’m not fond of politics at the pulpit, it isn’t something to encourage more of.

]]> By: ken anthony https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/more-than-a-thousand-pastors-have-resolved-to-defy-the-irs-and-preach-politics-from-the-pulpit-before-the-election/#comment-62504 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:32:19 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=19951#comment-62504 The solution is to get rid of the IRS altogether. I’d go with the Fair Tax which would have the consequence of not interfering with free speech.

]]> By: Jim https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/more-than-a-thousand-pastors-have-resolved-to-defy-the-irs-and-preach-politics-from-the-pulpit-before-the-election/#comment-62469 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:14:43 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=19951#comment-62469 This is what the IRS regulation says about tax exemptions for “organizations:”
“In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.”

So leaving aside whether or not it selectively enforces this rule (it should not be selective- I myself sat through a sermon on climate change that quickly became legislative endorsement), it certainly is clear that the expectation is to stay away from political endorsement. But I think it would be wise to consider what would happen in the alternative. Being tax exempt is not a constitutional requirement…they could be taxed. It is estimated that 1.8M churches are exempt from taxes, and that includes the added exemption from any other paperwork that secular charities must provide to receive tax relief. Even Chuck Grassley (Republican) says it is rife with phony “churches.”

So if we eliminate the prohibition, how quickly do you think the vacuum will be filled by all kinds of political interests declaring themselves “churches?” Even further, maybe marketing organizations will do the same to endorse products. There would be no end to what is “free speech.”

I would prefer to enforce the rule more diligently all across the board than to open this up even further.

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