NewsOK member benefits

Group suing IRS, bullying the pulpit

The Oklahoman Editorial | Published: November 27, 2012 Comment on this article

The current restrictions make little sense. A preacher can urge a congregation to consider their faith's beliefs when voting, but can't explicitly acknowledge which candidate's stance most closely mirrors a church's teachings. The issue affects both Republicans and Democrats. In particular, black churches have long been a focal point of political activity in that community; the civil rights struggle was inseparable from religion-based logic and church organization.

Clearly, church leaders should be wary of being seen as agents of a political party rather than adherents of a higher power. But the world will be a worse place if we allow government to dictate sermon points made by the Martin Luther Kings of the future.

Page 2 of 2