Free Churches to Speak on Politics

this was during the religious service?

 

Just pointing out your spin on things is always one sided. The Left is never held to the same standards as the Right on this issue.

 

Churches have no business endorsing political candidates, IMO. Plenty of other important matters to discuss on Sunday mornings.

 

While I tend to agree with you hasbeens, I think that the real question is "is it fair taht churches have to live up to a higher standard of fre speech than other tax exempt organizations?"

 

Churches should not endorse politicians but they can certainly endorse certain platforms and educate their congregations as to who supports or doesn't support that platform.

 

Again, I generally agree with you, but other charitable organizations are allowed to endorse specific candidates or run ads in their favor. If churches are not allowed to do this, isn't that restricting their free speech?

Also, what would happen if a pastor ran for public office?

 

there are rules for other charitable organizations as well.

honestly, i don't understand tax exempt status as being related to the first ammendment (tax exemption is not a right). i also don't understand how labor organizations are tax exempt. charities i understand and there's nothing stopping churches from starting charitable organizations that they run.

 

I agree with you - but if all of these organizations are supposed to abide by the same rules, but the rules are only being applied to some of them, then that would be a problem, IMO.

 

You could probably make a strong case for a double standard where churches are concerned, VP, but I'm not really that concerned about making sure everything's "fair" as far as options for the church goes. Churches are probably trying to do too many things as it is, IMO. They have a specific job to do, and it doesn't have anything to do with politics. I'm speaking of the Judeo/Christian church here.

There are other vehicles out there for discussing politicians and legislation outside of the church -- magazines, talk radio, etc. I've got no problem if James Dobson wants to endorse President Bush on Focus on the Family, but if my pastor starts telling me to call my congressman to block HR***, I'm going to be a little irked. Churches only get an hour or so a week. There are much better ways to make use of that time.

You mean, do I think his church should be able to endorse him? No. I don't. Should he get to campaign on Sundays? No, he shouldn't. But that's just my opinion.

 

Would he also have to "resign his commision," go inactive, or whatnot. Many governemental positions are part time - so say he is a mayor or councilman. Would he still be able to hold his day job?