This morning on the Drudge Report I saw that a number of pastors have agreed to preach a political message in a couple of weeks to outright challenge the IRS to strip them of their tax-exempt status. The idea behind the idea is that this action and the expected IRS reaction will broil into a lawsuit worthy of reaching the Supreme Court, and force a new discussion on what is legal and illegal for pastors and religious organizations to say/promote/endorse. Here's the article if you're interested.
What do you think about this? Would you want your pastor to stand up on Sunday mornings and tell you who you should vote for in elections? Would you want your church to have an official candidate to back, or an official position on ballot issues? Is this the realm of the church? The Sunday morning sermon?
I want to hear your thoughts. I have some of my own to share, but I will hold off a bit.
This one has me split. On the one hand, for the most part I believe that this IRS ruling is absolutely wrong. From that point of view, I am glad to see it being challenged.
ON THE OTHER HAND ... :) ...
I don't want to see the Jesus' church become either a strong man or a useful idiot. It seems to me that's the way it too often is lately. No, I don't want my pastor telling me how to vote, even if my current pastor usually gets it right.
ON THE OTHER HAND ... :) ...
There are times, I believe, when a pastor MUST stand in the pulpit and take a political stand... And God's man will do it if it needs to be done... regardless of the IRS rules...
ON THE OTHER HAND ... :) ...
Those times are far fewer than most activists might think.
Dave
Posted by: Dave Nichols | September 08, 2008 at 08:36 PM
A guy at work asked me last week if Jesus would vote Democrat or Republican.
I think the Holy Spirit nudged me to say, "I think Jesus would work for the Kingdom."
Posted by: Richard Griffin | September 16, 2008 at 02:44 PM