Pulpit politics

September 26, 2008

Dust-Up

Does the IRS go too far with churches?

Today's question: Has the IRS ever gone too far in pushing back against political speech by clergy? Previously, Lynn and Stanley discussed the Constitution’s position on pulpit politics, how far ministers can delve into politics without inviting federal scrutiny, whether churches should receive tax exemptions at all and if federal tax law muzzles free speech from the pulpit.

September 25, 2008

Dust-Up

Tax laws and religious speech: what the Constitution says

Today's question: Does the Constitution have anything to say about the relationship between federal tax law and political speech by clergy? Previously, Stanley and Lynn discussed how far ministers can delve into politics without inviting federal scrutiny, whether churches should receive tax exemptions at all and if federal tax law muzzles free speech from the pulpit.

September 24, 2008

Dust-Up

When do ministers cross the line?

Today's question: At what point does a minister cross a line between merely sharing private views and involving a church in a political campaign, thereby inviting IRS scrutiny? Previously, Lynn and Stanley debated whether churches should receive tax exemptions at all and if federal tax law muzzles free speech from the pulpit.

September 23, 2008

Dust-Up

Why don't churches pay taxes?

Today's question: Why should churches be tax exempt in the first place? Wouldn't it be a better approach to deny the tax exemption to all churches? Previously, Stanley and Lynn debated whether federal tax law chills free speech in churches.

Dust-Up

Do tax laws gag the clergy?

Today's question: Is federal tax law too restrictive on clergy who publicly endorse political candidates or voter initiatives? All week, Barry W. Lynn and Erik Stanley discuss the friction between church and state over the issue of political speech from the pulpit.