More Than 1,800 Pastors Advocate For Political Speech Rights in Church

cnsnews ^ | Oct. 13, 2014 | Brittany M. Hughes

[PROCON]

(CNSNews.com) - So far this year, more than 1,800 pastors across the United States have participated in Pulpit Freedom Sunday, an annual event hosted by Alliance Defending Freedom that advocates for pastors’ right to speak on politics from the pulpit without fear of losing their churches’ tax exempt status.

Pulpit Freedom Sunday, which started Oct. 5 and runs through Election Day on Nov. 4, first began in 2008 with only 33 participating pastors.

[PROCON]

Bravo Pastors!

[Arm_Bears]

My understanding is that the only restriction on political speech in churches is the threat of losing tax exemptions.

[Alex Murphy]

So far this year, more than 1,800 pastors across the United States have participated in Pulpit Freedom Sunday, an annual event hosted by Alliance Defending Freedom that advocates for pastors’ right to speak on politics from the pulpit without fear of losing their churches’ tax exempt status. Pulpit Freedom Sunday, which started Oct. 5 and runs through Election Day on Nov. 4, first began in 2008 with only 33 participating pastors.

Awesome!

Related threads this week:
Houston LGBT Mayor has EVERY LEGAL RIGHT to Prosecute Christian Churches for Political Activity
City of Houston subpoenas pastors' sermons to see if they're criticizing lesbian mayor
City of Houston demands pastors turn over sermons
Houston Demands Oversight of Sermons!

[unread]

They already have that right...all they need to do is claim it..!

We must remember that we are dealing with "lawyers", not Gods..! If the folks would just stand together and remind them that it's still "WE THE PEOPLE" and NOT "Us, the stinking, rotten, elitist lawyers." Maybe things would improve somewhat....

Maybe we could hang a few of them...that use to work...

[circlecity]

"My understanding is that the only restriction on political speech in churches is the threat of losing tax exemptions."

This restriction has never been upheld in the Courts. In fact the IRS knows it's so blatently unconstitutional they have never even had the guts to test it at trial. Not one. single. time. That's why these 1800 Pastor aren't very worried.

[OrangeHoof]

Funny, you never see black churches have their tax exempt statuses threatened even though they speak politics all the time from the pulpit.

[Servant of the Cross]

They already have that right...all they need to do is claim it..!

Exactly. So far, the IRS has not touched any of these challenges. Not. One. Single. One.

[gdani]

My understanding is that the only restriction on political speech in churches is the threat of losing tax exemptions.

That's correct. And churches could solve this problem easily by renouncing their tax-exempt status & saying whatever they want, whenever they want. There is zero right to tax exempt status.

[Patton@Bastogne]

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See Free Republic post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3215340/posts


I "challenge" the ADF Director Kerri Kupec to STOP "lying" to America's Christian Churches about "freedom" from IRS 501-C3.


ADF is merely using this issue as a "money raising tool" to FINANCIALLY FLEECE otherwise well-meaning (but sadly, legally ignorant Christians).


Questions ?


Just download IRS Pamplet-1828 ... read it ... FORWARD to everyone in your local church.


What say You ?


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[Arm_Bears]

I’ll look into it—Always happy to be enlightened.

[Sam Gamgee]

Here in Canada we had a pastor speak out against homosexuality. He did it as a private citizen not at Church, but was then dragged before the Alberta Human Rights Commission and given a lifetime ban to speak on homosexually - kid you not. As for speaking on controversial subjects it is only a matter of time at least in this country before status is pulled. Yet, the Suzuki Foundation can engage in outright lies and political speech without consequence.

[celmak]

Patton@Bastogne - I can see the IRS using it's statute against religious institutions, such as Bob Jones University v. United States, but the SCOTUS is a political animal as well (no matter what people think, and I think you know this). Bob Jones University v. United States is the only case I know of that the SCOTUS ruled on concerning the use of 501-C3 against a religious institution; but this was a case of racial discrimination, unlike what is happening in Houston. It has been churches, especially Black churches, (I.E., CA) that have spoken out against homosexuality. There is serious doubt that SCOTUS would support the IRS on this one if they tried to stifle churches that speak out against homosexuality.

[Patton@Bastogne]

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"Homophobia" is the NEW 1960's "Racism" ...

The SCOTUS gang can't even get Obama to enforce the Defense of Marriage Act.



There is serious doubt that SCOTUS would support the IRS on this one if they tried to stifle churches that speak out against homosexuality.

You know ... we "used" to say the same thing about "ObamaCare" and SCOTUS ...

Of course, that ship has already sailed ... and been torpedoed.



.

[celmak]

You know ... we "used" to say the same thing about "ObamaCare" and SCOTUS ...

So what do you think will be the political backlash on that if SCOTUS does rule in favor with the Mayor of Houston over 1,800 pastors' free speech and religious (and IMO scientific) right?

[Patton@Bastogne]

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So what do you think will be the political backlash on that if SCOTUS does rule in favor with the Mayor of Houston over 1,800 pastors' free speech and religious (and IMO scientific) right?


Clearly, congressional passage of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) means nothing.

Pastors STANDING AGAINST Houston's Mayor would have their IRS 501-C3 rescinded ... with "extreme prejudice".

The IRS would make a "harsh example" of a couple of mega-churches (which would go bankrupt).

The remaining Christian Churches would IMMEDIATELY "fall in line with the IRS".



Does France 1941 paint a picture for you ?


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[MaxMax]

Advocate? As if the Gov has the right to do this. That is just about as outrageous as any statement.

[celmak]

Does France 1941 paint a picture for you ?

Does invasion of Normandy by US troops 1944 mean anything to you ? There still is just a slight difference between France and the US.

Clearly, congressional passage of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) means nothing.

Too SCOTUS, but state's right to have their own protection of marriage between a man and a woman have not been decided by SCOTUS, and Justice Kennedy seems to be on their side. Kennedy also stipulated in Lawrence v. Texas, "This, as a general rule, should counsel against attempts by the State, or a court, to define the meaning of the relationship or to set its boundaries absent injury to a person or abuse of an institution the law protects.” What do you think he meant by, "...or abuse of an institution the law protects"?

Pastors STANDING AGAINST Houston's Mayor would have their IRS 501-C3 rescinded ... with "extreme prejudice".

The IRS would make a "harsh example" of a couple of mega-churches (which would go bankrupt).

The remaining Christian Churches would IMMEDIATELY "fall in line with the IRS".

Pastors stand still and twiddle their thumbs? Like I stated, It has been churches - especially Black churches, (I.E., CA) - that have spoken out against homosexuality. I seriously doubt these pastors are going to accept defeat; especially since they have been fighting it so strongly.

Have hope and pray to God that His power brings on another revival and turns our country around to recognizing Him again (if you don't already).

[Patton@Bastogne]

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Celmak,


I'm not trying to be argumentative.

There still is just a slight difference between France and the US.

... but we "don't" live in the America of 1944.



Black pastors ?

Don't be delusional. All it takes is for "Obama - The Won" ...

to trot out (even as ex-POTUS) and claim that gay marriage is a "civil rights issue" ...

and America's black churches fall into line like a string of dominos.



Meanwhile, back at the ranch, dittos for America's "non-black" churches.

Once congregations start to FLEE because they can't use their tithes and offerings as deductions on their annual IRS 1040 forms ...

they'll bail faster than the Fall of Saigon.



Have you watched the YouTube videos ?

I believe that most pastors are TERRIFIED beyond IMAGINATION over discussing IRS 501-C3 with their church congregations ...

because the pastors fear being "fired" over the "lost" IRS tax deductions.



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[Patton@Bastogne]

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That's why these 1800 Pastor aren't very worried.


Obama and the IRS doesn't care a wit if pastors occasionally preach (an effective) Pro-Life message.


Gay marriage ?

Now, that's a different horse.

"IF" pastors and churches start an EFFECTIVE "political" campaign (with victories) against Gay Marriage ...

"THEN" ... Obama and the IRS will be on them like WWII German Stukas over the Polish Calvary.

There won't be enough "church body bags" for the devastation Obama and the IRS would display ...



And when the churches appeal all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court ... and the "blackmailed" Chief Justice John Roberts ?

the Christians will be "politically" thrown to the Lions in Obama's Collesium.



.

[celmak]

I'm not trying to be argumentative... but we "don't" live in the America of 1944.

Then don't bring up France 1941.

Black pastors ? Don't be delusional. All it takes is for "Obama - The Won" ... to trot out (even as ex-POTUS) and claim that gay marriage is a "civil rights issue" ... and America's black churches fall into line like a string of dominos.

Well, I have hope for those Black pastors who fought like hell in greater numbers than White pastors for Prop 8 in CA, even when Obama came out against it.

I believe that most pastors are TERRIFIED beyond IMAGINATION over discussing IRS 501-C3 with their church congregations ... because the pastors fear being "fired" over the "lost" IRS tax deductions.

Oh ye of little faith; at least 1800 will fight for the right to express what the Bible states about homosexuality; with or without 501 3C.

Have you watched the YouTube videos ?

Not yet, maybe when I get time.

Till next time - God bless.