In IRS Protest, Pastors Back Candidates

Conservative Legal Group Fighting To Abolish Restrictions On Church Involvement In Politics

(AP)  Pastor Luke Emrich prepared his sermon this week knowing his remarks could invite an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service. But that was the whole point, so Emrich forged ahead with his message: Thou shalt vote according to the Scriptures.

"I'm telling you straight up, I would choose life," Emrich told about 100 worshippers Sunday at New Life Church, a nondenominational evangelical congregation about 40 miles from Milwaukee.

"I would cast a vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin," he said. "But friends, it's your choice to make, it's not my choice. I won't be in the voting booth with you."

All told, 33 pastors in 22 states were to make pointed recommendations about political candidates Sunday, an effort orchestrated by the Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund.

The conservative legal group plans to send copies of the pastors' sermons to the IRS with hope of setting off a legal fight and abolishing restrictions on church involvement in politics. Critics call it unnecessary, divisive and unlikely to succeed.

Congress amended the tax code in 1954 to state that certain nonprofit groups, including secular charities and places of worship, can lose their tax-exempt status for intervening in a campaign involving candidates.

Erik Stanley, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, said hundreds of churches volunteered to take part in "Pulpit Freedom Sunday." Thirty-three were chosen, in part for "strategic criteria related to litigation" Stanley wouldn't discuss.

Pastor Jody Hice of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Bethlehem, Ga., said in an interview Sunday that his sermon compared Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain on abortion and gay marriage and concluded that McCain "holds more to a biblical world view."

He said he urged the Southern Baptist congregation to vote for McCain.

"The basic thrust was this was not a matter of endorsing, it's a First Amendment issue," Hice said. "To say the church can't deal with moral and societal issues if it enters into the political arena is just wrong, it's unconstitutional."

At the independent Fairview Baptist Church in Edmond, Okla., pastor Paul Blair said he told his congregation, "As a Christian and as an American citizen, I will be voting for John McCain."

"It's absolutely vital to proclaim the truth and not be afraid to proclaim the truth from our pulpits," Blair said in an interview.

Because the pastors were speaking in their official capacity as clergy, the sermons are clear violations of IRS rules, said Robert Tuttle, a professor of law and religion at George Washington University. But even if the IRS rises to the bait and a legal fight ensues, Tuttle said there's "virtually no chance" courts will strike down the prohibition.

"The government is allowed, as long as it has a reasonable basis for doing it, to treat political and nonpolitical speech differently, and that's essentially what it's done here," Tuttle said.

Not all the sermons came off as planned. Bishop Robert Smith Sr. of Word of Outreach Center in Little Rock said he had to postpone until next week because of a missed flight. Smith, a delegate to this month's Republican National Convention, declined to say whom he would endorse.

Promotional materials for the initiative said each pastor would prepare the sermon with "legal assistance of the ADF to ensure maximum effectiveness in challenging the IRS."

Stanley said the pastors alone wrote the sermons, with the framework that they be "a biblical evaluation of the candidates for office with a specific recommendation." That could be a flat-out endorsement or opposition to one or both candidates, he said.

The legal group declined to release a list of participants in advance, citing concerns about potential disruptions at services. A list and excerpts from sermons will be made public early this week, with the delay necessary for lawyers to review the material, the group said.

Under the IRS code, places of worship can distribute voter guides, run nonpartisan voter registration drives and hold forums on issues, among other things. However, they cannot endorse a candidate, and their political activity cannot be biased for or against a candidate, directly or indirectly - a sometimes murky line.

The IRS said in a statement it is aware of Sunday's initiative and "will monitor the situation and take action as appropriate."

The agency has stepped up oversight of political activity in churches in recent years after receiving a flurry of complaints from the 2004 campaign. The IRS reported issuing written advisories against 42 churches for improper politically activity in 2004.

The ban on churches intervening in candidate campaigns survived a court challenge when a U.S. appellate court upheld the revocation of tax-exempt status of a New York church that took out a newspaper ad urging Christians to vote against Bill Clinton in the 1992 presidential election.

Opposition to Sunday's sermon initiative was widespread. A United Church of Christ minister in Ohio rallied other religious leaders to file a complaint with the IRS. Roman Catholic Archbishop John Favalora of Miami wrote that the archdiocese abides by IRS rules in part because "we can do a lot for our communities with the money we save by being tax-exempt."

Three former IRS officials also asked the agency to investigate the initiative, questioning the ethics of lawyers asking ministers to break the law.

Two-thirds of adults oppose political endorsements from churches and other places of worship and 52 percent want them out of politics altogether, according to a survey last month from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.

"It is good public policy that in exchange for the valuable privilege of a tax exemption, you cannot turn your church or charity into a political action committee," said Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Church and State, which intends to report the participating churches to the IRS, along with any other churches acting independently.

[jerr11]

Jesus warned us against these false leaders.

He called them Pharisees.

And it looks like these pastors are the modern pharisees of our time.

Clothed in all the fine linen while the peasants are losing their homes and mothers and fathers losing their children in Bush''s UNGODLY war!

[incog-nito]

The pastors are absolutely correct. The system should not prevent them from exercising their right to free speech. By the same token, the "non-profit" designation for certain organizations is arbitrary and should be removed. They should be taxed like everybody else. Furthermore, charitable donations of any kind should not be tax-exempt. It''s up to people to give whatever they want. Other taxpayers should not have to subsidize that. This just encourages cheating.

[grammawhamma]

Odd how comments disappear from this site even if they were not offensive.

[pvperson]

If my church lost it''s tax exemption status because some preacher wanted to boost McSame/Falin and thereby get his name in the papers, I''d be looking for a new pastor. One that looked out for my church instead of himself.

[countyroad32]

There should be no tax-exempt organizations of any kind.

[kpadre77]

Let them speak out all they want. I see no reason why they cannot speak out on political topics. The law doesn''t prevent them from speaking out either. It just says they have to pay taxes. Just like the Catholics'' Chritian Bro winery%u2014they are still allowed to make and sell spirits; they just have to pay the taxes. Same with these extremists.

[areukidding1]

This is America, freedom of speech is important. McCain is one of the FATCATS. McCain and his present wife are $100 million dollars of Budweiser Beer. Lord knows that every time a person drinks Budweiser; McCain becomes richer. Even if it''s his wife''s money; he benifits. What do they care about the IRS and church and state?

Thank you.....

[cdfoxtrot3]

Let them speak out all they want. I see no reason why they cannot speak out on political topics. The law doesn''''t prevent them from speaking out either. It just says they have to pay taxes. Just like the Catholics'''' Chritian Bro winery%u2014they are still allowed to make and sell spirits; they just have to pay the taxes. Same with these extremists.

Posted by kpadre77

That''s the problem. The US thinks its citizens need religion, so it promotes it by allowing these religious fanatics to spew their political views through the support of tax free income.

All religions should pay taxes. No different than psychiatrists, tarot card readers and all the other people involved in making people feel good about themselves.

[cdfoxtrot3]

Funny how all these religious fanatics favor just one political party.

Reason enough for the IRS to clamp down. Not that you''d hear the Repiglicans backing such a move.

[itgranny]

I say let them talk! The United States needs the extra cash.

GrammaWhamma, you''re right, things are disappearing from this site in a big way today. I posted something on another page that disappeared the first time and upon reposting, the whole thing started again. Maybe CBS doesn''t like what we''re saying.

[bob5ford]

Take their tax exempt status away and start taxing preachers. Then they can get into politics all they want. You play - you pay. Plain and simple.

[bob5ford]

Comments seem to be disappearing from several places today.

[sterlingread]

If my pastor said this in church, I would be inclined to stand up and walk out. It would be different in a private conversation, but my Pastor is intelligent enough to not a) not jeopardize our church status by being stupid, b) realizes that our congregation are private citizens of varying opinions, and he can''t tell us what to do.

[afmca]

ALL churches and religious organizations should lose their tax exempt status iummediately. Let them stand on their own or let them die. If churches were not tax exempt 50% would disappear immediately and the sham religions that shield the Prophets for Profit would be gone soon afterwards. Tax payers should not be subsidizing ANY religion by letting it exist in a tax exempt status.

BUT I find it deplorable that these supposed "preachers of God" want to utilize their tax breaks to push their biased religious agenda. This is the true beginning of America''s descent in christian inspired "holy war" and all Americams that cherish freedom OF religion and freedom FROM religion must make sure these fakes suffer the financial consequences of their actions.

That they mostly back McCain/Palin shows how scared the Republicans have become. First the NRA spreads their lies and now preachers are plying the work of the devil. Jesus would not be pleased.

[nextgenman]

Go get ''em IRS. Nobody says you can''t support politics, but if you do, you are no longer tax exempt.

[sandy777-2009]

According to our US Constitution, Church and State are separate entities and are to remain separate. Churches are blending in State when they preach politics. Go get em IRS and take away their tax exempt status.

Obama is going to win by a landslide anyway. Those churches are wasting their time promoting McCain. No one wants McCaine and least of all Palin! Palin is a disaster waiting to happen and Lord help us if she would ever become president, we would be doomed for sure.

[docadams3]

Prostitution is not a tax-exempt activity.

[skysoldier75]

If a church endorses a candidate, then take away that church''s tax-exempt status. Definitely.

[areukidding1]

This is America, freedom of speech is important. McCain is one of the FATCATS. McCain and his present wife are $100 million dollars of Budweiser Beer. Lord knows that every time a person drinks Budweiser; McCain becomes richer. Even if it''s his wife''s money; he benifits. What do they care about the IRS and church and state?

Thank you.....and Bless you.

[yoye777]

The so called evangelicals who have no care for God and his people gave us Bush for eight years, who later shows us his "compassion" with Katrina. They have one coming if they think they can brain wash the American people. I think these leaders should keep their nose where they belong: being a sheperd to God''s people. There is no potions as poisonous as Church people playing politics.

[coronalu]

What is the big issue with people, our Lord, Jesus Christ, has clearly told us from the beginning what is right and what is wrong and these pastors are letting us know this and if someone has a problem with it, well then you can vote the way that you like. A pastor has the obligation of stating clearly what scriptures tell us regarding anything and everything and I understand that people that live and want to stay living in darkness will have a HUGE problem with this, HUGE problem and so they want to shut these pastors up. Gee, I wonder if prior to the USA entering into World War 2, I wonder if pastors should have not say anything about what was happening to the Jews and others by Hitler. The only difference now is that there are 4,000 human beings that are killed, murdered every single day in the USA and when anyone says anything about this, well, we just all a bunch of people that are against the rights of others and this is so far from the truth, we are a group of people that are standing up for the rights of little babies, little human beings, that are unable to stand up for themselves because they are being killed and murdered by their own mothers.

[wogerwabbit]

The cult of Jesus does it again. I daresay, were He alive today, Jesus would be appalled at all the hoopla these religious wackos make over Him when His message was actually about his Father, the living God... not Himself. But no, the spiritually dead choose to idolize Him instead of honoring God because it makes them unique and apart from the rest of the world that worships the same God. What these blasphemers don''t understand is that God is impartial to all prayer directed at Him, but they pray to Jesus instead and then wonder why their prayers are not answered... it must be time to send more money to the church to buy the stairway to heaven they''ll never climb because the rightious reverend doesn''t know the way either. That''s because God is within... He''s not a gray bearded white guy sitting on a throne in the clouds. They look everywhere for God but their own heart where the spark of life really lives. And, although they probably know this, Christ lived in the Middle East and was quite likely nothing like they picture Him. He was more than likely was dark skinned and looked more like Obama than McCain. But, the truth never matters to the brainwashed sheep being shorn by the religious scoundrels infesting America today. Let them give their political speeches, lose their tax exempt status and lose all their credibility... this will be a good thing for America.

[wogerwabbit]

Tax them and make them pay penalties and interest too!

Posted by endrepubs at 08:03 PM : Sep 28, 2008

Retroactive from day one.

[coronalu]

Hey, "WogerWabbit" read the Bible, I am saying this because you have NO idea what you are talking about, read what God states about Jesus Christ. Read it because if is clear that you have NO idea what you are talking about, none whatsoever.

[wogerwabbit]

Hey, "WogerWabbit" read the Bible, I am saying this because you have NO idea what you are talking about, read what God states about Jesus Christ. Read it because if is clear that you have NO idea what you are talking about, none whatsoever.

Posted by coronalu at 08:08 PM : Sep 28, 2008

What version of the bible do you read... what translation?

[alanrobisch]

Let them give their political speeches, lose their tax exempt status and lose all their credibility... this will be a good thing for America.


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Posted by WogerWabbit at 08:05 PM : Sep 28, 2008
+ report abuse

Roger you apparent don''t care about free speech or the constitution but this is typical of liberals the so called tolerant liberals.

I guess that tolerance begins with people who agree with their point of view and ends with them too. You find it necessary to belittle other people''s beliefs.

Are you afraid of them?

[wogerwabbit]

secondly hosenose, God is not quoted in bible even once (new testament).

[coronalu]

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also." ( John 14:6-7)

Gee, can He make any clearer???

[wogerwabbit]

Are you afraid of them?

Posted by alanrobisch2 at 08:10 PM : Sep 28, 2008

Absolutely scare sh**less of them. They are the end of America as we know it if we let these freaks have their way.

[coronalu]

To "endrepubs", so according to the way you look at it, Jesus Christ would be all for the murdering of 4,000 little human beings, each and every day here in the USA. Hummmm, what Bible are YOU reading????

[j_mcdonald-2009]

Tax those churches, and deny any charitable tax deductions to the people who donate to them, just as you would for any advocacy organization.

[coronalu]

"WogerWabbit", I don''t condemn people to hell, your actions do, my actions do, don''t you get it! I did not create you, you did not create you, aside from what your mom and dad did in their part for you, they did not create you, you are a gift from God and you are special and it is up to YOU to obey what our Creator tells us, and He is clear about things, this way, you cannot come out and say, "well, it was because of Joe Blow that I committed this crime or I did this evil act", no, don''t buy this for a moment. You do yourself in, I am not condemning you, heck, you and I do a fine job on this without anyone else''s help.

[coronalu]

Funny, funny, funny. You won''t believe that a hot dog on a bun just created itself, yet you believe that all of this, just popped out of nowhere and like a big bang and yet hey, how did the big bang happened? Amazing, absolutely amazing!

[wogerwabbit]

Posted by coronalu at 08:20 PM : Sep 28, 2008

I believe in the same God you, I just go about it a different way (and yes, I am a Christian, just not your brand). And yes you do condemn other because they don''t believe exactly like you... it''s the whole premise of your cult. Accept Jesus or go to hell... it doesn''t get too much plainer than that.

[skyk239]

It''s time to end this problem straight out. These Churches are NOTHING but arms of the Republican Party, which is their right, just don''t do it on MY dime. You want to be a part of the "Party" pay your Damned TAXES.

[tonic1111]

cbs does not tolerate hate speech. it tolerates free speech. this is a free zone on their website.

some christians, some muslims, some jewish people judge everyone else and they think they are right and everyone else is displeasing to God.

judgment is displeasing to everyone including God.

[coronalu]

"Toby2957" what part of "when we choose to sin, we choose to suffer", do you not understand?

[wogerwabbit]

CBS tolerates hate speech against Christians.

Posted by negro-vote- at 08:29 PM : Sep 28, 2008

Whay are you worried about it, you''re not a Christian.

[coronalu]

"WogerWabbit" what is a Christian to you? A Christian to me is one that follows Jesus Christ, PERIOD ! So, the question is really, what type of Christian are YOU? Are you the type of Christian that picks what you want to believe? You have to understand something, we are the CREATION, we are NOT the Creator!

[wogerwabbit]

The world believe a negro-vote is the equivalent of an ant or a pest.

[coronalu]

To "endrepubs" what a brillant comparision, comparing a little human being to an ant. You are brillant!

[spinner49]

I don''t know why the right gets all worked up about Jesus. After all, he was only a community organizer.

[coronalu]

brilliant, sorry!

[wogerwabbit]

"WogerWabbit" what is a Christian to you? A Christian to me is one that follows Jesus Christ, PERIOD ! So, the question is really, what type of Christian are YOU? Are you the type of Christian that picks what you want to believe? You have to understand something, we are the CREATION, we are NOT the Creator!

Posted by coronalu at 08:32 PM : Sep 28, 2008

I believe God created the world just the way He wanted it, perfect in His eyes... as we all are as well. It doesn''t matter how you get the word as long as you get the word. Jesus is just one of many paths to the same destination. Jesus was a very wise man, but he was no more a god than you or I.... although God resides within, not without.

[coronalu]

To "endrepubs" yes, I know you didn''t, you just vote for the folks that like the idea of killing 4,000 babies each and everyday. what''s the count now, more the 45 MILLION Little babies murdered from 1973 to the present! Do you have ANY IDEA what this is?? 45,000,000 human beings murdered!!!

[caliengineer]

Obama most likely is abusing some sort of drug. A major symptom is "blue lips". Look at photos of him... his blue/gray lip condition comes and goes. Is he periodically returning to something which injures his health? Cigarettes?

Now, everyone who reads this... there is no censorship here of criticizing Obama.

[wogerwabbit]

Obama most likely is abusing some sort of drug. A major symptom is "blue lips". Look at photos of him... his blue/gray lip condition comes and goes. Is he periodically returning to something which injures his health? Cigarettes?

Posted by caliengineer at 08:40 PM : Sep 28, 2008

You might check out the color of his skin before you make stupid inane comments... he''s half black... his lips aren''t pink like yours or mine. Have you ever met a balck person before, have you ever known one?

[coronalu]

To "WogerWabbit" now I know you have nothing to do with being a Christian, because if you were you would know John 14:6 "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Notice that Jesus did not say that there was another additional way, no, my friend, He said that He is the way and that NO ONE comes to the Father except through HIM so clearly if you think that there is another way, then our Lord, Jesus Christ, died for nothing.

[wogerwabbit]

To "endrepubs" yes, I know you didn''''t, you just vote for the folks that like the idea of killing 4,000 babies each and everyday. what''''s the count now, more the 45 MILLION Little babies murdered from 1973 to the present! Do you have ANY IDEA what this is?? 45,000,000 human beings murdered!!!

Posted by coronalu at 08:40 PM : Sep 28, 2008

meanwhile, your simple mind cannot comprehend that our country is going down the crapper because of Republicans who have duped you into believing in them. They''ve had 8 years to make your religious/fascist state a reality and we''re no closer to it (thank God) than we we''re the day Bush was sworn in. You guys are rubes. You believe politicians, how stupid can you get.

[alanrobisch]

Jesus was a very wise man, but he was no more a god than you or I.... although God resides within, not without.


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Posted by WogerWabbit at 08:37 PM : Sep 28, 2008
+ report abuse
So you believe in a god but not in christ. You aren''t a christian. Are you Jewish or is this the church of one