With the urging and counsel of the Alliance Defense Fund, church pastors all over the nation told their parishioners from the pulpit Sunday for whom they will be voting November 4.
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.
Should this kind of political talk take place in churches? Did your pastor participate in this event? Is this a First Amendment issue or is it an IRS issue?
Link: The Associated Press: Protesting pastors back candidates from the pulpit.
