Polls: Most oppose pastors endorsing candidates

Most Americans think that the Rev. Jody Hice of Bethlehem First Baptist Church and 30 other pastors were wrong when they endorsed presidential candidates from their pulpits Sept. 28.

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CHRISTOPHER QUINN/cquinn@ajc.com

The Rev. Joey Hice of Bethlehem First Baptist Church urged his congregation to vote for John McCain.

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A Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life poll conducted in August shows 66 percent of Americans believe pastors ought not do that.

Hice spoke that morning about his view of Christian values as they relate to abortion and gay marriage, and told his congregation they should vote for U.S. Sen. John McCain. It was part of an organized effort by a conservative Christian legal organization to challenge an Internal Revenue Service regulation that says nonprofits can lose their tax-exempt status if they participate in partisan politics.

LifeWay Research, a nonprofit associated with the Southern Baptist Convention, in June also conducted a poll on the subject. Their findings showed 85 percent of Americans disagreed with pastors making endorsements from pulpits.

“These are numbers that are hard to look at and not say, this is an overwhelming majority of Americans of almost every stripe,” said Ed Stetzer, the director at LifeWay Research.

The survey was not limited to Baptists.

“There is a long-standing and publicly affirmed view that the pulpit is not the place for politics, particularly endorsements,” he said.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State in Washington filed six complaints with the IRS, including one about Bethlehem First Baptist, which is near Athens, about the churches that made the endorsements.

An IRS spokesman said before Sept. 28. they were aware of and monitoring the situation. He said Monday that the IRS cannot confirm or talk about whether investigations have been launched.

Hice was not at his church Monday morning and was unavailable for comment.

Comments

By SimplyPut

Nov 18, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

Ahh so if the church doesnt get to say anything becasue they don't pay taxes does that mean anyone who is on welfare doesnt get to vote?

The church has a place in society, pastors should not be bridled for any reason mostly because this is still a free country but also because their place in society is to speak up for what they believe in, if that means expressing their opinion about a certain candidate (for or against) so be it. I just don't see the reason why any free American would think otherwise.

By AmeliaF

Oct 9, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

Well, the subject of taxing churches that step too far into the election process certainly brings out vitriolic responses, as evidenced by responses already posted.

There is a reason in the Constitution that religious organizations are not to step too far into politics. The history of religion in politics is not pretty, including (if not particularly) Christian religions. Current events in other countries show us it is still ugly when religious beliefs control civic matters. Cynthia Tucker ably lays this out in her editorial, although she, too, seems to have a lot of anger attached to the issue.

The Constitution does not forbid religious organizations from endorsing a candidate. It does require that they pay taxes if they do. The IRS should investigate and impose those taxes on churches that step over the line. And, the AJC should follow through to report on what action, or lack of action, ensues from the IRS.

It is time for churches that step over the line to �render unto Caesar.�

By Lyn

Oct 8, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

well of course the white pastor should stay silent while black Sambo endorses Obama...typical "I've got rights, you don't'" mainstream black attitude

By hegelian71

Oct 7, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

Government hates competition--especially when the competition seeks to help those in bondage...and take away their needs for government assistance.

So:

1) The government comes up with WELFARE (so the downtrodden don't have to go to their (or any) church and suck up their pride and seek assistance...while being shown a first-hand example of Christ-like servant leadership--that just may cause them to rethink their life and make a wholesale change (repent) and walk in a completely different path)...and welfare thwarts that effort by GIVING the person money and discreetly signifying to the recipient that voting for one particular group of people may increase the chances of getting MORE MONEY, while another group may reduce that...
2) The Bill of Rights states that Congress "Shall make NO law respecting an establishment of religion or PROHIBITING the FREE exercise thereof"....
So, along comes the IRS and it has a LAW regarding 501c3 churches and how THEY CANNOT endorse a particular candidate...Sounds like a law, and it sounds like it is a restriction on the "FREE exercise thereof" part of the bill of rights to me.

Has anyone heard of the Black Brigade? That was a term used to describe the revolutionary ideas and concepts that permeated the colonial landscape as King George ran roughshod over our rights and freedoms. The Black Brigade was made up of many pastors and preachers who articulated the true meaning of despostism, tyranny, and injustice while holding their flocks to a standard unparalleled to this date. The train of abuses was large-- NOT JUST TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.... but over 20 usurpations... just read the Declaration of Independence..it lists them. These items are cause for revolution, and cause for seeking redress.
So, Pastors should most definitely speak on whatever they desire-- This is America...not Russia, or China...errr wait I guess those countries are supposed to be good now...??

By TJ

Oct 7, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

John "Christian Nation" Jay also wanted to prevent Catholics from holding office.

By Gerry

Oct 7, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

Churches should be paying all taxes on their "income" and property taxes on their buildings and land. Freedom of Religion does not mean that taxpayers have to subsidize religion.

Those pastors that have political agendas are like any other buisness with lobbyists.

Make churches pay all taxes and remove the federal deductions for contributions to churches. Again, federal taxes should not be subsidizing religion in any form!

By c

Oct 7, 2008 7:41 AM | Link to this

What, you expect church-goers to think for themselves? Of course they need their pastors to tell them what to do.

By lfh003

Oct 7, 2008 5:34 AM | Link to this

Two ideas: Black American churches have been politically involved for many, many years with no consequence from the IRS. And, John Jay, first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, said �Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.�
John Jay, Source: October 12, 1816. The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay

By Marsa

Oct 6, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

Church and State are and should always be separate. The Chuch needs to keep its nose out of politics, they don't pay taxes.

By Jacob

Oct 6, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

Another reason I stay away from Church

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