More than 1,000 pastors plan to challenge IRS by endorsing presidential candidate

[DonViejo]

More than 1,000 pastors plan to openly defy the IRS by telling their congregation on October 7 to vote for a particular presidential candidate, according to Fox News.

The annual event, dubbed “Pulpit Freedom Sunday,” has been organized by the conservative Christian group Alliance Defending Freedom. The pastors participating in the event plan to preach about the election, endorse a candidate, and send video of their sermon to the IRS.

“The purpose is to make sure that the pastor — and not the IRS — decides what is said from the pulpit,” Erik Stanley, senior legal counsel for the group, told FoxNews.com. “It is a head-on constitutional challenge.”


Raw Story (http://s.tt/1o8pK)

[get the red out]

1. Only 1,000?

I'm shocked the number is so low. I guess that is the number that actually want publicity for what they do every Sunday anyway.

[KansDem]

2. Issue fines...

I'm all for separation of church and state and I don't see a need to tax religionists, but if they preach politics from the pulpit, then issue fines.

Severe fines.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

8. Emphasis on "severe"

Make the congregation (whose money it is) wonder what their leadership was thinking.

[Daemonaquila]

9. Fines, nothing - they should lose their tax-exempt status

What a fabulous win that would be all around.

[KansDem]

12. I see your point...

...however, wouldn't this give religionists a stronger argument for meddling in government? I mean, they could say, "We're taxpayers now, so we can mix religion with politics!" Essentially saying their particular prophet has endorsed Candidate X, so therefore the congregation will vote for that person?

Government should remain secular.

But, when a religionist instructs his/her congregation to vote a certain way, fine the Hell out of them! Base the fine on the market-value of their properties.

[Proletariatprincess]

3. I hope this backlashes against religion in politics.

This could be a tipping point. Let them have their free speech, but don't let them continue to have their tax free status. Religious institutions are political in every way in every age. Sometimes for good and sometimes not so good. I say let them be involved as much as they wish, but don't give them any more advantages than any other polital group. Make them pay their fair share of taxes and adhere to all the laws and rules that apply to political speech and fundraising.

[Lasher]

4. They can say anything they want from the pulpit.

They just need to decide what's more important to them: Endorsing a political candidate or their tax exempt status.

[NYC Liberal]

5. What BS. The IRS never said they can't endorse candidates.

They simply say you can't do so IF you want tax-free, 501(c) status. The rule applies to ALL non-profit organizations, not just religious ones.

Want to get political? Totally fine. You'll just have to pay your taxes likes everyone else.

[lunasun]

6. everyone needs this>How to complain officially if a Church is violating 501(c)(3) status

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=1368084

[loudsue]

7. This might be a good thing: They've been preaching politics from the pulpit in the South

since the 1980's, and it's time they just came out and admitted it like this. Now maybe we can do a SERIOUS backlash. What kind of country do we really want? Taliban or American?

I go with American...the original way.

So much for "READ THE CONSTITUTION!!"

[ljm2002]

10. Perfect...

...now revoke their tax-exempt status.

No problemo.

[brooklynite]

11. Don't they threaten this at every election?

[Angry Dragon]

13. Yes ......... they have been doing this stunt for years

[Angry Dragon]

14. On top of this the person in the pulpit gets special tax treatment

[progressivebydesign]

15. Hey, the assholes can say what they WANT! I'm just NOT going to be subsidizing them!!

No one is saying they can't politicize their special brand of ridiculousness... BUT.. the taxpayers are NOT going to pay for them to do anymore. So fuck them. Fuck them and their luxury cars and nice homes, and their tax free vacation residences, and all the perks we allow them.

Frankly, I'd love to see the entire tax free church thing go away.

[bigdarryl]

16. these idiots are being PAID OFF by the rethugs to tell black people not to vote

this is the same bullshit Whitman did in NJ years ago by beating then Governor Florio

[mary195149]

17. Parishioners Should be Prepared

to walk out during the service and also report them, if the church feels they need to tell people who to vote for. Enough is enough.
The people have the power, we just don't use it enough. They are obviously not worried about their tax exempt status, but they will be if parishioners exercise their rights!

[importDavid]

18. You think that they'd be endorsing Obama...

Considering that the charitable donation tax loophole might be one of the deductions that Mitt eliminates.

Who in the hell would contribute to charity (i.e. the church) if they couldn't deduct it from their federal taxes?

Charities would be decimated.

[dbackjon]

19. IRS better then pull non-profit status from them