05-15-2011, 11:00 PM
RgrF wrote:
The relative weight of their political preaching and use of the pulpit to influence elections isn't the the point, the fact that are willing to and do use that influence is. In most elections it's only takes a few percentage points swing to change the outcome. They don't have to carry the whole congregation with them, just enough to achieve their aim.
You seem to think this sort of behavior on the part of tax-exempt religious organizations is acceptable. I don't.
I'm not sure who the "you" is here, but for my part i didn't mean to express an opinion about politics from the pulpit. I was just focusing on what the election-related tax law says, and what it doesn't say.
This quote is taken from the IRS website:
IRS wrote:
The prohibition against political campaign activity has been in effect for more than half a century and bars certain tax-exempt organizations from engaging on behalf of or in opposition to political candidates. However, these organizations can engage in advocating for or against issues and, to a limited extent, ballot initiatives or other legislative activities.
As you can see, the legal prohibitions are against speaking for or against specific candidates or parties, not advocating on particular issues or encouraging people to vote. It's permissible for a preacher to say that congregation members have a responsibility to vote, and that the church has specific views on election issues. What isn't allowed is the preacher telling the congregation that they should support/oppose candidate X. It seems that you disagree with the regulations as they currently are written, but it's been that way since 1954. They can be changed, of course, but that would require an act of Congress.
Of course, what is permissible under the law and what is acceptable to an individual person's judgment aren't always the same. I'm not taking a position on whether it's good, or wise, or constructive for preachers to get involved in politics (mostly because i am not entirely decided on the matter). Clearly you are, and i totally respect that. I think disagreeing with the law is fine - and it's good we live somewhere that it's allowed!