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Posted: 9:14 PM Sep 8, 2008
Pastors Talking Politics?
Separation of church and state versus a pastor's right to talk politics from the pulpit -- that's a hot topic in this even hotter political season, and a national campaign is urging pastors to challenge the law.
Reporter: Carrie Cline Email Address: carrie.cline@wsaz.com |
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94 Comments 
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Separation of church and state versus a pastor's right to talk politics from the pulpit -- that's a hot topic in this even hotter political season, and a national campaign is urging pastors to challenge the law.
Local pastors who have some well-defined opinions about where their boundaries start and stop shared their thoughts.
John McCain versus Barack Obama -- it's one of the most highly charged presidential campaign seasons in recent memory. Political endorsements and candidate picks are running rampant everywhere but in the church.
"Here at Calvary, I would never stand before my congregation and openly promote a candidate or tell them who to vote for," said Dr. Franklin Murphy, pastor of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Huntington.
But a coalition of pastors supported by a group of Christian lawyers, known as the Alliance Defense Fund, say otherwise. They're encouraging pastors across the country to challenge the laws and choose political sides on September 28. It's called Pulpit Freedom Sunday.
"This is our chance to say we've always been a part of politics and we need to have a voice to guide our country in the right direction," said Chuck Lawrence, pastor of Christ Temple Church in Huntington.
The law on this is clear. It's fine for pastors to talk political issues and educate their church on the candidates. However, the IRS prohibits churches from engaging in partisan politics, including endorsing a political candidate or party. A violation could threaten the church's tax-exempt status.
Locally, just like the national debate, it's a divisive issue. Lawrence said he will not tell his congregation how to vote; he doesn't think the IRS should be able to govern the pulpit either.
"Churches have always been a part of the process by pointing out Biblical stance and giving moral sides," Lawrence said.
Murphy expressed his opinion about Pulpit Free Sunday: "No pastor has the right to promote political anarchy from the pulpit," he said. "They’re saying to people if the government implements a law that you don't agree with, then if you get enough people to fight against it and openly ignore it, you can change the law."
And Murphy said contrary to what the Alliance Defense Fund believes, pastors have not lost their freedom of speech, but churches are preaching a different theology.
"The Dominion Theology says Christians will take over the country and will take over the world and that's against what God says in the Bible," Murphy said.
Lawrence said he will participate in Pulpit Freedom Sunday, but stop short of endorsing a candidate.
"We'll lay their voting records and other things against the backdrop of the Scripture and let people choose based on that," he said.
On Monday afternoon, a group of ministers in Ohio filed a complaint with the IRS asking them to stop Pulpit Freedom Sunday. They say it's inappropriate for lawyers to encourage ministers to break the law. They also say they worry about churches becoming extensions of political campaigns and possibly gaining political influence by supporting a winning candidate.
Latest Comments
How about REV. Wright and Farrakhan preaching Obama in their sermons? If these devils can do it, and not be taxed by the law, then why can't the real Christian preachers. I say preach the word of God until Jesus Christ comes back.. and pray for the blinded liberals.
A pastor using his pulpit does not violate the First Amendment, he violates Federal Law (IRS). If a church becomes a political action group to any degree, then it needs to pay taxes like other political groups. This keeps churches from being cogs in a political machine, cheapening religion, and ultimately keeps politicians from telling you how to worship. It also keeps false tax-free "churches" to exist simply for political purposes. I believe you were the one claiming you were being denied the right to worship freely somehow -- I assume you are saying the government is denying you this? (... I am so intrigued by this claim). Ergo, why "invite" the government into churches, if this is exaclty what you are afraid of.
Lori, did you know, that during the Civil War, Abe Lincoln: 1)suspended the Constitution, 2)had US Congressmen arrested, 3)had civilians tried by military tribunals instead of criminal courts, 4)frequently used passages from the Bible in his speeches, including the Gettysburg address? Perhaps you need to stop campaigning & read history books.
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