The Alliance Defense Fund will defend any pastor and church that on Sept 28th makes a political speech for or against a candidate from their pulpit. The IRS muzzled the church for over fifty years with its 501-C3 statute. Forcing churches to abide by unconstitutional rulings on religious speech with the treat of losing their tax exempt status. Congress made a law prohibiting the free exercise of religion and that is against the First Amendment of the Constitution that says Congress should make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion.
It is time for Christian churches to get rid of the muzzle. Pastors should be free to tell their congregations why the views and promises made by candidates running for their government are for or against Christian teachings and practice. This may be your last chance to rope-a-dope the IRS and take off that unconstitutional 501-C3 muzzle.
Dave Daubenmire — Take the Muzzle Off
Churches should not incorporate. Most do it out of ignorance and by doing so they insert their own sock into their pastor’s mouth. Afraid to lose their tax-exemption, the church slowly begins to answer to Caesar rather than to God. No man can serve two masters.
You see, churches are tax IMMUNE, or protected from government, and not tax EXEMPT which means “free from obligation.” The church has no obligation to government…until they incorporate. Once they do, they make a deal with the Devil. They now answer to Caesar. That is the law.
But thanks to the Alliance Defense Fund, our team has decided to shake off the yoke and fight back. The IRS statute is unconstitutional.
On September 28, 2008, the ADF is looking for some brave pastors who will willingly take the sock out of their mouths and boldly violate the IRS’ regulations against “political activity” by speaking for or against a particular candidate from the pulpit. The ADF is committed to defending all the churches involved in The Pulpit Initiative free of charge.
I say it is about time! Can someone tell me why the only “religion” that has a muzzle on its spokesmen is Christianity? Atheists are free to speak. So are Humanists, union leaders, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and Darwinists. Why are pastors and church leaders the only ones banished from the public square? They are scared by the non-existent “separation between the church and state” and the henchmen at the IRS. Thank God for the ADF and their willingness to pick this very important fight.
According to the ADF website: “…in 1954 with the passage of the “Johnson amendment” which restricted the right of churches and pastors to speak Scriptural truth about candidates for office. The Johnson amendment was proposed by then-Senator Lyndon Johnson, and it changed the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit churches and other non-profit organizations from supporting or opposing a candidate for office. After the Johnson amendment passed, churches faced a choice of either continuing their tradition of speaking out or silencing themselves in order to retain their church’s tax exemption. The Internal Revenue Service, in conjunction with radical organizations like Americans United for Separation of Church and State, have used the Johnson amendment to create an atmosphere of intimidation and fear for any church that dares to speak Scriptural truth about candidates for office or issues.
It is time for the intimidation and threats to end. Churches and pastors have a constitutional right to speak freely and truthfully from the pulpit – even on candidates and voting – without fearing loss of their tax exemption.
Freedom of speech and freedom of religion are God-given rights, they are not Constitutional rights. Only God grants rights. The Constitution restricts government intrusion into our lives. It is time to cut the head off of that giant.
Here is what I really like about it. It is going to expose a lot of pastors who have been hiding behind the so-called government restriction on free speech. With that barrier removed maybe we can more clearly distinguish between the brave men who speak for God and those who just love the cushy job.
Interested in picking a fight? You’ll find all of the information you need right here.
The ADF has a game-plan. All they need is a few good men!
Come on, Pastor! It’s time to get off of the ropes!
