End prohibition on church political speech, senator's commission recommends
“The Commission on Accountability and Policy for Religious Organizations stated that its members and 66 others who served on three panels created by the commission had ‘much accord’ that ‘a member of the clergy should be permitted to say whatever he or she believes is appropriate in the context of a religious worship service without fear of government reprisal, even when such communications include content related to political candidates.’” Baptist Press
First, there is no “prohibition on church political speech.” There is a prohibition against endorsing candidates. The aim is to keep churches from becoming tax-break funded campaigning branches for political parties. On one hand it makes a kind of sense to say “no restrictions on pastoral speech, period.” On the other hand, the realities of our system of governance commend drawing a line there.
…and pastoral speech is restricted anyway. It’s not like you can be a pastor and incite your congregation to gather explosives and go blow up a government building. So, “no restrictions at all” is not really on the table for anybody, pastors included.
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
Aaron, you are correct. Churches and pastors in their official function, if they receive 501c3 status, may not endorse a candidate. BUT…from watching/reading the news over the years, it seems that African-American churches are very much a hot bed of political activity. They have voter drives and registration and even do voting on Sunday (ex the recent South Carolina bill to stop that…) after the sermon, its a tradition. Do you think Al Sharpton in his church in NYC doesn’t endorse? I don’t know. Does anyone have personal experience on this?
I don’t have a link, but a number of years ago I researched whether our church had ever filed as 501c3. I was unable to find paperwork one way or the other. Digging around, what I discovered is that churches are considered defacto 501c3’s whether they file or not. This is probably stated in an IRS document somewhere, but I don’t have time at the moment to hunt it down.
Mark: I have seen footage of these kinds of events on TV news. Other than that, have no experience of them. Hosting a voter drive or lending the building as a polling facility during an election: I don’t see any problems with these. It’s the campaigning that is a problem. I’m in agreement with those who believe it should not be permitted.
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
I’m sorry that I have to ask this question, but…
Why would we want actual political speech in church?
What about the Gospel of Christ, or even the practical aspects of Christian living, requires a minister of God to get into national politics.
Yes, there should be preaching on how certain modern activities (abortion, homosexuality, pornography) are sinful and the Bible has a lot to say about morality, ethics, and economics; but why would that need to go over into supporting a particular person or party?
I just don’t see any necessity for such to be in the house of God.
I’ve never quite understood the appeal either. But it may be a result of looking at things in terms of “problem + opportunity = obligation/duty.” Problem: bad policy and bad leaders; opportunity: help better ones get elected; obligation: do everything possible to help better ones get elected.
But this is not the right way to arrive at priorities and responsibilities. There is no end to the problems an individual or ministry has some measure of opportunity to “do something about.” But we are not here to “do something about” every pressing problem we encounter. Neither “we” as individuals or as congregations. No, we have to go to revelation and find out what God has told us our purpose is and resolutely focus on that. And zealously protect that focus.
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
Discussion