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Black and White Pastors
Encouraged to Challenge IRS Ban on Political Preaching
Legal advocates are recruiting pastors nationwide to defy an IRS ban on
preaching about politicians, in a challenge they hope will abolish the
restriction. The Alliance Defense Fund, based in Scottsdale, Ariz.,
will ask the clergy to deliver a sermon about specific candidates Sept.
28. If the action triggers an IRS investigation, the legal group will
sue to overturn the federal rules, which were enacted in 1954. Under
the IRS code, churches can distribute voter guides, run voter
registration drives, hold forums on public policy and invite
politicians to speak at their congregations.
However, they cannot endorse a candidate, and their political activity
cannot be biased for or against a candidate, directly or indirectly.
The Alliance Defense Fund said Friday that the regulations amount to an
unconstitutional limit on free speech and government intrusion into
religion.
"It certainly does have a chilling effect," said Mike Johnson, senior
counsel for the fund. "I think that there is a lot of fear and
intimidation and disinformation about the parameters that do exist."
Johnson said about 100 pastors have expressed interest in participating so far.
The IRS has stepped up monitoring of nonprofit political activity
during the 2008 election. Punishments can range from a financial
penalty to loss of tax-exempt status.
IRS investigations are confidential and the agency does not discuss the cases.
However, the United Church of Christ, which counts Sen. Barack Obama as
a member, has said that it is under IRS review because of a speech
given by the Democratic presidential candidate at the denomination's
national meeting last year.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State, an advocacy group
in Washington, monitors church political activity and consistently
files complaints with the IRS. They said Friday that they will notify
the agency of any pastor who participates in the ADF campaign.
Some religious groups support keeping politics out of the pulpit.
J. Brent Walker, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for
Religious Liberty in Washington, which advocates for religious freedom,
said churches should be involved in public issues, but partisan
activity can "compromise the essential calling to spread the Gospel."
"The church can't raise prophetic fist at a candidate or at a party,"
Walker said, "when it's locked up in a tight bear hug with that
candidate or party."
AP
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