Pastors Already Preach Politics From the Pulpit

[erpowers]

Maybe I am wrong, but as far as I know pastors already preach politics from the pulpit. In 1999/2000 a New Orleans pastor/bishop encouraged his followers to vote for Al Gore. Rod Parsley, an Oklahoma pastor, has been very vocal in his opposition to gay marriage. Houston area pastor Ed Young was very vocal in his opposition to an Equal Rights Amendment that would have prevented businesses from denying transgender people the use of the restroom of their choice. Opposition forces even sent out a brochure with Young's image throughout the brochure and at least one quote from Young discussing the idea that men would be allowed to use the restroom with his wife. During the Bush years it seems a number of pastors took sides either for or against Bush. Even Catholic priests and bishops routinely inject themselves into politics. I assume most, if not all, of the people I mentioned have kept their tax exempt status.

So, how would Trump change things? It seems this would only make official what is already happening. It seems to me that unless the government wants to put FBI agents in every church there is no way to know if a pastor, that is not on TV, is preaching politics from the pulpit. The pastors that are on TV do not seem to have any problem with preaching politics from the pulpit. I am not opposed to the tax exempt rule; I just think it is not being enforced. How many pastors do not preach politics from the pulpit?

Is this really a money issue? Are pastors prevented from giving money to political campaigns?

[Angry Dragon]

1. tax the hell out of them

[frazzled]

2. The line is fine

I think religious religious and other 501(c)(3) organizationss are permitted to speak about values and issues that may indirectly impinge on politics,* but they cannot directly intervene in the political process of elections—that is to say, in an actual campaign—by endorsing candidates or telling people who to vote for. And no, such organizations cannot make donations (though I suppose a pastor can make a private, personal contribution).

Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.

Certain activities or expenditures may not be prohibited depending on the facts and circumstances. For example, certain voter education activities (including presenting public forums and publishing voter education guides) conducted in a non-partisan manner do not constitute prohibited political campaign activity. In addition, other activities intended to encourage people to participate in the electoral process, such as voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, would not be prohibited political campaign activity if conducted in a non-partisan manner.

On the other hand, voter education or registration activities with evidence of bias that (a) would favor one candidate over another; (b) oppose a candidate in some manner; or (c) have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates, will constitute prohibited participation or intervention.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnson_Amendment

*ON EDIT: So, for example, a pastor or rabbi or priest might be able to speak during the election season about how the religion views issues of immigration, or racial inequality, or other such topics. Congregants can draw their own conclusion. But they can't say--so vote for Clinton or Trump.

[pat_k]

3. True, but they can't use funds to support political activity.

It sounds to me like Bannon/DT intend to destroy that.

It would be fine and dandy if they also eliminated tax exempt status. Otherwise, all those churches will be free to funnel our lost revenues to support whatever political agenda they please.

If you open the door to political action for tax exempt churches, it follows that any tax exempt organization would need to be accorded the same "freedoms."

[HassleCat]

4. They would be more actively involved.

Churches would organize volunteers for campaigning etc. They might as well, since they push the envelope so hard right now.

[Jim Beard]

5. The African American churches were very

instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement.

Hell, they will fight each other. I remember over 50 years ago when a Southern Baptist Preacher was screaming from the pulpit because the Catholic Priest told children to burn the bibles the Gedions passed out in school. Seems as though the Gedions didn't have the Catholic version.