Should Religious Leaders be Able to Endorse Political Candidates?

Should Religious Leaders be Able to Endorse Political Candidates?

On September 28th, 33 religious leaders violated federal tax law and endorsed a candidate for president. This protest, organized by the Alliance Defense Fund, sought to challenge the illegality of political endorsements by religious leaders. Meanwhile, critics like Americans United have insisted that politics should remain outside the church. Where should we draw a line between preaching and politicking?

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Want To Be Political? Give Up Your Tax Exemption!

Americans United

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The ADF just doesn't get it: If a pastor wants to be political, the answer is to give up tax exemption. There are thousands of secular tax-exempt groups in this country, and the vast majority of them have no problem abiding by the "no-politicking" rule. Those that find it restrictive form 501 (c)(4) groups and PACs.

Some religious leaders seem to want one set of rules for themselves and another for everyone else. It's unrealistic to think this way. If the electioneering ban were lifted for churches, it will probably have to be lifted for the secular non-profits as well. The ADF is naive if it does not concede that this will open up a huge loophole in the nation's campaign-finance laws.

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Pastors Endorsing Politicians?

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    Alliance Defense Fund
    ADF is a legal alliance of more than 1,200 Christian attorneys and 300 like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith.... More

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