Over 1,000 pastors are set to defy the IRS next month by intentionally preaching on politics. The ultimate goal is to reach the court so that the "muzzle" on churches can be declared unconstitutional.
"People in America are allowed to debate these issues except for pastors from the pulpit," said Erik W. Stanley, senior legal counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, on Family Talk last week. "The pastors of America, your voices need to be heard on these vital issues. It's unjust, it's unconstitutional that you've been censored and taken out of the public debate every time an election season rolls around."This restriction must be declared unconstitutional."
Alliance Defending Freedom is holding its fifth annual Pulpit Freedom Sunday on Oct. 7 where pastors throughout the country will preach on what the Bible says on moral and social issues and where the candidates stand. The alliance believes Christian leaders' religious liberty is at stake.
Since 2008, pastors have been challenging the 1954 Johnson Amendment which states that tax-exempt organizations cannot "participate in, or intervene in ... any political campaign on behalf of – or in opposition to – any candidate for public office."
Lyndon B. Johnson, who was running for reelection to the United States Senate, added the amendment to the tax code.
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