Pastors Challenge Law, Endorse Candidates From Pulpit
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:25 am
The following quote from a minister cited in a recent NYT article is disturbing -- as a strict constitutionalist and civil libertarian of sorts, this is seriously an issue where my personal preference conflicts with my scriptural understanding. However, as much as I would feel the same way, carnally, and there might be a circumstance where we might need to take a stand from the pulpit against the government, perhaps giving up tax exempt status would be the first step if these ministers feel like the government restrictions are oppressive. Of course, then their tithes would decrease as they wouldn't be tax exempt for the contributors.
They seem to forget there is another law beyond the Constitution that Christians are to adhere to -- God's law!
What do you think?
They seem to forget there is another law beyond the Constitution that Christians are to adhere to -- God's law!
I just don't think it's "Christian" to flout laws and regulations -- quietly ignore them if justified, perhaps, but not flout them (particularly when it's not justified).NYTimes wrote:
Pastors Challenge Law, Endorse Candidates From Pulpit
Ministers Pit 'Freedom of Expression' vs. 'Separation of Church and State'
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=5198068
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Booth, 34, is one of several religious leaders who this year hope to challenge federal law by flouting the regulations about endorsing candidates from the pulpit a move that could potentially cost them their tax-exempt status, creating financial ruin for many congregations.
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"The government is trying to censor me and other religious leaders," Booth told ABC News. "I may be taking on the IRS, but the IRS has taken on the Constitution unchallenged since 1954. I feel like the only law that should dictate what I am allowed to say is the First Amendment."
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What do you think?