October 7, 2012:

PREACHERS AND POLITICS

This Sunday many pastors will endorse political candidates from their pulpits.  They will be part of Pulpit Freedom Day, sponsored by the conservative non-profit Alliance Defending Freedom.  The object is to overturn the Internal Revenue Service statute that prohibits all tax-exempt institutions, including religious ones, from “directly or indirectly” endorsing political candidates.  The first Pulpit Freedom Day began in 2008 which just happened to be during the campaign of Mr. Obama for President!  That year 33 pastors participated.  This year more than 1000 have enrolled to take part.  Not be outdone, more than 600 rabbis have enrolled in Rabbis for Obama.  Rabbis for Romney is now being organized.  And Black pastors met in early September in Chesapeake, Virginia to discuss ways to encourage their church members to vote for Obama, in spite of his support for same-sex marriage which many Blacks oppose.

          Why this new surge in pulpit politicking?  Some say the I.R.S. rule is unconstitutional and politically motivated.  (By Liberals, of course.) Other clergy say that in today’s increasingly secular society, issues such as abortion, marriage, and end of life issues are grounded in scriptural faith. Then, there is the First Amendment. Clergy are citizens, too. Why should they be prohibited from expressing their political opinions from the pulpit?

          While some clergy have always made clear from their pulpits where they stood on political issues and candidates, most clergy, despite their own political leaning, have avoided telling their people how they ought to vote.  Even in colonial America when Congregational clergy were expected to preach what was called an Election Day Sermon, this was not intended to be partisan but a reflection on the values church members should remember when making their voting choices.

          For myself, I believe the I.R.S. rule against clergy endorsing candidate is both valid aned necessary. Religious institutions are exempt from taxes. The general public supports us financially. Both parties approve of this and it seems to me to be only fair that clergy not be partisan advocates for candidates from one of the parties.

          I also believe that freedom of the pulpit is both a precious gift to clergy but also a high responsibility. Speaking from the pulpit is a privilege that few if any lay people will have. While I believe that clergy should speak directly to the issues we face today in terms of religious values and perspectives, no candidate is God’s candidate.

          In our country today there is increasing doubt about both God and religious institutions. Partisan political messages from the pulpit will only increase skepticism about whether we are hearing the word of God or the word of men and women. We don’t have to go to church to hear a political ad. In some special sense, religious institutions should be above all political wrangling.

          While you may have a good idea about whom I will vote for in November, don’t expect me to speak about my choice from Pilgrim’s pulpit.

       Love, Dave