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Sports TwitterIRS: In the name of God, don't stump at pulpit
- Related article: Despite IRS rules, some pastors talk about politics from pulpit
Sunday, November 02, 2008
On the Sunday after Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin took a swipe at Democrat Barack Obama for having been a community organizer, the Rev. Mike Castle fired back from the pulpit.
The Centerville pastor quipped that Jesus Christ was a community organizer and Pontius Pilate — whom Christians believe ordered Jesus' crucifixion — was a governor.
Some members of Castle's congregation were offended by the remark and gave him via e-mail what he called a "good warning sign early on for me to watch my language."
Federal law requires that places of worship and other tax-exempt nonprofit organizations remain politically nonpartisan.
Castle said he's a firm believer in the 54-year-old law that prohibits clergy from endorsing or opposing candidates from the pulpit. But his Sept. 7 comment shows how easy, or tempting, it can be for clergy to wade into muddy political waters.
Faith leaders and executives of other nonprofits don't have to completely shun politics, said Jennifer Williams, executive director of the 600-member Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations, which educates nonprofits about they can legally do.
For instance, they can participate in "get out the vote" activities, voter registration drives, even candidate and issue forums.
There are hot-button issues, such as abortion, that many faith leaders hope voters will consider when they cast ballots for candidates.In Dayton, Omega Baptist Church has been encouraging people to vote. But the church has not been advocating for any particular political party or candidate, the Rev. Daryl Ward said.
"I'm very serious about it," said Ward, the church's pastor for the past 20 years. "We should not use our public persona for something other than talking about the Lord."
