Show of Hands

In*

Pastors endorse candidates all the time. They even appear on the news to talk about their candidates. How is it against the law?

They're not at the pulpits when they're on the news. Except for Jackson and Sharpton-- the TV is their pulpit.

To be fair, the pope also represents an independent country (right or wrong as that may be).

You don't seem to have a good understanding of priesthood, and are probably not a church going Christian. Priests and ministers live very meager lives, often in a small monastery on the grounds of their church. I don't think Mike Huckabee is an active preacher (if he ever was) and that certainly is not the case for 99% of preachers/priests.

I have a very good understanding of priesthood and preachers. I am also a practicing Christian. The question was related to the influence "some" not all preachers have on political elections. I pointed out the extreme cases, such as Mike Huckabee who has gone from the pulpit to Politics and uses his influence as a "religious leader" to push Christians to vote a certain way. He makes millions abusing this trust people have in him. There are also many cases of "Mega" church preachers who do the same for money. The average priest does not get into this practice, although many do influence there flock to vote a certain way.

I don't see the connection. I don't agree with everything my pastor says and I question and consider his views as a matter of course. If he spoke for or against a political candidate, that wouldn't change. More importantly, it wouldn't change my church being a non-profit organization. Want to remove non-profit from a group? Go after the NFL.

It's against the law. Tax Rules Forbid Churches From Endorsing Candidates, Will IRS Take Action? www.forbes.com/sites/peterjreilly/2015/09/20/tax-rules-forbid-churches-endorsing-candidates/#7eb76496412f

I know it is against the law. I think it's an outdated law now. There are a number of things that are against the law, but we seem to allow or accept. Illegal immigration is against the law. Marijuana use, possession,etc., is against federal law, but we aren't locking up Colorado...

Pam - when you want to show a law, I'd suggest quoting the actual law rather than a Forbes article.

I believe the question was for an opinion as to whether was wrong or not. Not as to whether IRS had ruled against it.

If we were willing to except all existing rules and laws as being right slavery would've never been abolished in women still would not have the right to vote.

I thought we wanted separation of church and state? Maybe put prayers back in school.

We do have that. The government isn't establishing a religion, not forcing it on anyone. If a church wants to suggest a candidate because of compatible beliefs, what's the harm? I believe that scares elected officials more than it is a church/state conflict.

But if so someone put a cross out in the wilderness the ACLU has a fit because some anti theist cries like a baby about it. Or a religious group wants to hold a meeting in a school all hell breaks loose. But I seem plenty of politicians make their speeches at churches. Hillary's done a few in southern black churches.

👏👏

When I went door knocking for Mitt Romney I met a minister from a baptist church and he said he tells his congregation every election year who they should vote for.

He should focus on preaching God's word.

Agreed

There's nothing wrong with urging people to vote for a candidate or ballot question that falls in line with their religion.

Teach Christian values, and people shouldn't have a difficult time figuring it out.