Second Annual Pulpit Freedom Sunday: September 27, 2009
Playing Politics in the Pulpit: Good Idea or Bad Idea?
While there is nothing wrong with talking politics over a cup of coffee at your favorite restaurant, addressing these topics within a church setting is a more complex and separate issue altogether.
According to the official Web site of the Internal Revenue Service, nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, including churches, are typically not allowed to endorse, financially support or otherwise promote any political figure or party. This includes discussing the stances of politicians in such a way as to elevate one above the other.
Today, upon the publishing of this article, Sunday, September 27, 2009, over 80 church pastors will preach on political topics, issues and agendas from their pulpits in what has been termed Pulpit Freedom Sunday, according to The Christian Post. This highly controversial movement came in response to the aforementioned rule set forth by the IRS.
The nonprofit Christian organization known as The Alliance Defense Fund was said to have helmed this radical free speech movement that will unite several church leaders together in unison over discussing politics and related moral issues before their congregants. Subjects will range from abortion and gay marriage to the war in Iraq. This is the second annual Pulpit Freedom Sunday.
Historically, church leaders and clergymen were not only encouraged to discuss politics within their sermons, but were legally allowed to do so. Additionally, the vast majority of Americans sought out their church leaders concerning political issues, particularly when it came time to vote. The stance of the church was valued.
Upon ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1778, up until 1954, ministers could speak openly and freely before their flock about specific candidates running for office without fear of governmental reprisal. This also included the moral stances of said candidates.
Unfortunately, current regulations set forth by the IRS seem to censor pastors. An increasing percentage of ministers now feel they are being observed by the government and must be more careful of what they say, lest they be fined or prosecuted.
Instances of undercover government officials monitoring select church leaders across the country have already made national headlines. Is this a form of Big Brother?
In the opinion of this writer, the heart of the issue is not what specific politician your church/pastor may endorse. Rather it is the undue involvement of the government into highly religious and spiritual issues. No church pastor, volunteer or congregant should ever live in fear of the government trampling on their First Amendment right to free speech, especially within the confines of their church walls. A church and pastor should be free to discuss and preach clear Biblical truth and values concerning political and moral issues.
"The separation of church and state is a source of strength, but the conscience of our nation does not call for separation between men of state and faith in the Supreme Being."-Lyndon B. Johnson: 36th U.S. President. 1963-1969.
©2009 Joshua D. Givens & The Underground Christian E-Magazine
On the web at: www.theundergroundsite.com
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The Underground offers news, feature articles and commentary on pop culture from a Christian perspective.
Published by Joshua Givens
Public relations, media coordinator and web developer/designer for Northside Bible Church, freelance journalist, reporter and feature writer for Mobile Bay Monthly, the lifestyle magazine for Mobile, AL and... View profile
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3 Comments
Post a CommentBoy I can't spell today! Of course, by relgion I meant religion.
Great article and LBJ quote, Josh. In a recent article, I criticized some nations for not adhering to the UN Declaration of Human Rights laws, and realized the U.S. isn't doing any better! Because, our Constitution aside, the UN document says that people of all nations have the right to be a relgion, change religions and manifest and discuss that relgion openly and in public whenever they want!!
Great work here man. People love to fling around the "Separation of church and state" argument, but what they often forget is that it's church AND state... They too often forget that the church has just as much right as the state...