Ahh, good intentions and boneheaded execution…how often they are bed partners.
If you’re not aware, a group called the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) is trying to pick a fight with the IRS. They have started something called the “Pulpit Initiative” (link is to their PDF summary statement of the initiative).
Short background: as part of the separation of church and state, the government is prohibited from taxing religion/religious entities, i.e. churches. In the 1950′s an amendment was passed which prohibits non-profit organizations (that includes churches) from participating in political campaigns. Longer background here.
Well, the ADF folks wants to challenge the legality of that amendment. Their strategy for initiating the legal process is to bait the IRS into filing a lawsuit against a church or multiple churches. They’ve found a group of pastors (around 30 nationwide) who have agreed to speak about the political candidates. Next, the ADF will send (perhaps has sent already) recordings of those sermons to the IRS, essentially thumbing their noses at them, double-dog daring the IRS to file suit.
While I’m certainly not a legal authority, this seems to me to be a seriously bone headed move.
At the minimum they seem to be risking the tax exemption for churches which, if removed, would likely put the majority of “churches” out of business. By that I mean that most congregations could not afford their property or the salaries of their pastors without the considerable tax breaks for churches as religious non-profits in the eyes of the government. Personally, I think if a church stepped up and voluntarily paid property tax etc it would send a huge message to the city that they see themselves as part and parcel to its livelihood instead of as a parasite to the city, which most are. That’s why Stafford doesn’t allow new churches…they eat up all the good real estate, don’t pay tax, and then do nothing for the community. Hardly salt and light.
The greater issue I take with the “Pulpit Initiative” (the name alone grates on my nerves) is that it is a prostitution of the venue where the Scriptures are to be primarily taught. There’s nothing sacro-sanct about the puplit itself, but the public preaching of God’s Word to the church is foundational to Christianity, a God given responsibility. They are actively seeking pastors to use their pulpit for political action in order to further their legal aims. Prostitution of the pulpit.
I will grant the ADF that their intentions seem fine. When you read through their site regarding this initiative, it’s sounds like they just want more 1st amendment freedom in the pulpit. But has it really been lost?
Pastors are free to speak to any issue they choose from the pulpit. The legal limit, in my amateur understanding, is that churches may not participate in political campaigning. Thus, a paid pastor who endorses (or is openly against) a candidate is essentially campaigning and in violation of the 50′s amendment.
But here’s the deal – there’s no limitation on speaking about issues. The ADF info makes it seem like it’s all about being able to speak about issues, but that freedom is in place now. When you read some of the comments of the pastors participating in this initiative (Example 1, Example 2), they’re not worried about addressing issues, they’re just pimping themselves out to their candidate.
The Bible and societal issues intersect all over the place. Where God takes a stand in Scripture, Christians should take a stand as well. Where the Bible is silent on an issue, Christians should use discretion and wise counsel, and encourage others to the same. For example, murder is clearly not ok with Yahweh. Drinking (without getting plastered) is fine. So don’t murder, ever. If having a Mackeson’s Triple Stout doesn’t go against your conscience or hurt anyone else, have at it (and call me so I can join you).
But using your pulpit to endorse a specific candidate is foolishness. Pastors, the goal is making disciples. That means, in part, to teach the truth, to educate and train people in wisdom and bring this culture into focus through a biblical world view, challenging people to think critically, prayerfully, biblically, and to decide based on Scripture and conscience. It is not to spoon feed their lives to them.
Derek Webb has a line from an older song, “I Want A New Law” off of the Mockingbird album that goes,
Don’t teach me about politics or government, just tell me who to vote for.
If we had one candidate who was openly opposed to Christianity, seeking to harm the work of the gospel, etc, that’s good grounds for breaking the law and encouraging people to vote against him/her. But in this election, like it or not, we’ve got two guys who both claim to be Christians and supposedly are seeking Judeo-Christian values for our country. So slice through the issues and think, pray, and discuss. Don’t start an Obama or McCain cult in your church.
For those of you who are reading this trying to peg which candidate I’m for, let me be real clear that I think they both suck and on their merit alone the US is pretty much screwed. This gives me great joy in the sovereignty of my God because he appoints leaders and sways the world to his decree. So even sucky presidents may turn out to be a blessing.
