Political Pulpit Pandering

Friday, June 17, 2005
Editorial: Pulpit parties

Relationship wrong for politicos, illegal for churches
William Pate, a student at St. Edwards University, got quite an education when he attended a Republican rally in Austin last spring. The rally took place in Westover Church of Christ.
Pate wasn't there to participate but to observe for a class project. What he saw was an incredible mingling of church and politics, the kind that tax-code laws are supposed to prevent.
He saw church collection plates passed, for the GOP.
He heard the state Republican chairwoman tell those gathered, “you are here tonight by divine appointment,” and, “all Republican success is a credit to God's leadership.”
He heard the Republican Party's state treasurer tell the audience, “God is preparing us for the battle to come.”
Curious, the student looked into the law and contacted Americans United for Separation of Church and State. It filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service.
The next time the Republicans sought to stage a rally at the church, it declined. Westover asserts it hasn't broken any tax laws.
The over-the-top entanglement between Westover Church of Christ and the GOP comes to mind with Gov. Rick Perry's choosing Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Worth to sign an abortion consent measure.
Perry's wasn't a partisan event per se, but it was clearly an embarking point for Perry's re-election effort.
The governor sent out an e-mail inviting thousands of “pro-family Christian friends” to attend the event. We're curious why he didn't invite Jews, Buddhists or Muslims to the event. Are they not “pro-family”?
Such pandering is an embarrassing statement from a governor who should represent all Texans.
The Republican Party has not been alone in this type of entanglement of religion in politics.
Americans United filed a complaint last fall against a Boston church in which the pastor endorsed John Kerry from the pulpit.
Predominantly black congregations have been among the most egregiously political on behalf of parties and candidates.
In 1996 Americans United formed Project Fair Play, which has filed dozens of complaints against churches that forget their non-partisan obligation under the law.
Having 501(c)3 nonprofit designation giving them a tax exemption, churches are forbidden to engage in partisan politics or electioneering.
Attempts have been made to reverse such laws, which have been in place for half a century. Needless to say, we need them as never before.
Church members should object strongly when their church becomes a partisan vehicle. And pastors should know the law and respect the privileges afforded to them relative to taxable status.
And, by the way, governors aren't elected to be pastors.
source: http://www.wacotrib.com/opin/content/news/opinion/stories/2005/06/17/20050617waceditorial17.html