5.15.2007
Thank You Family Research Council: Standing for Churches and Pastors!!
Last Friday, I had the honor
to speak at FRC's Watchmen on the Wall Pastors Briefing, held in
Washington D.C.
My topic: "Do's and Don'ts for
Churches and Pastors", a short primer on what current law and cases may
"allow" for public speech on the great moral issues of our day.
Two trends are very troubling:
(1) those who call more and more of what God designed "political" and
"up for debate," and then declare that because the issues are now
enmeshed in "politics" they are OFF LIMITS for the Church or Pastors to
address; (2) a ramped up campaign to terrify churches, ministries, and
pastors that if they do speak out, their organizations will lose tax
exempt status.
In recent months, ADF has
received reports of numerous churches receiving threatening letters -
suggesting legal jeopardy for engaging in so-called "political"
activity for simply speaking the Truth. At ADF, we are
representing some organizations that have received such threats.
Key points:
- Churches can still boldly speak on the issues of the day.
- Pastors,
as individuals, have the same rights as all other American citizens to
involve themselves in political activity. Therefore, pastors as
individuals, have every right to endorse or oppose a political
candidate. But, a pastor and a church cannot endorse candidates
on behalf of the church.
- Churches
may engage in non-partisan voter registration, voter identification,
get out the vote, and voter education activities as long as such
activities are not intended for supporters of any particular candidate
or political party.
- A church
may distribute a voter guide regarding candidates' positions on various
issues or a scorecard reporting on the voting records of
incumbents. In such publications, the church or pastor may not
state whether the candidate's position or vote is consistent with the
churches.
- A church may not establish a political action committee.
I want to thank our good friends at the Family Research Council for the invitation to speak at this event, and commend them for their incredible hard work and determination to fight for faith, freedom, and family in Washington, DC. All of us here at ADF are honored to count them as dear friends and allies in the ongoing battles to defend and protect the right to hear and speak the Truth.
ADF Attorneys
Overseas Protecting Religious Freedom to Stop the Spread of
"International Law"...ADF attorneys are teaching at two conferences in Europe this week on the current state of international religious freedom and legal attacks on marriage and the family. With the ACLU and its allies' push to use "international law" to re-interpret and re-write our Constitution, it is critical that we stay on the alert.
ADF's Chief Counsel Benjamin Bull addressed the World Congress on Families in Warsaw, Poland, which was expected to draw more than 2,500 experts, advocates, and leaders from around the world. Ben's topic: "The Attack on the Family."
Ben, with ADF's Jordan Lorence
and Jeffery Ventrella, is assisting an attorney training academy held
by The Lawyers' Christian Fellowship in London on May 17-18. "The battle to defend religious liberty extends far beyond our shores," says Ben. "The need is growing for Christians to be equipped to deal with the increasing attacks on religious freedom, both domestically and internationally. It's a privilege to be able to speak before groups in these countries about such crucial matters."
ADF will do everything it can to protect America's constitution and religious liberty from the invasion of international law. Please pray for wisdom in this effort.
Prayer Requests | Visit the ADF prayer page
"Without Christ, we can do nothing." - John 15:5
- Please for wisdom and victories in the many legal battles
ahead.
- Please pray for the ongoing marriage cases in California,
Connecticut, Iowa, and Maryland. Oral arguments in the
same-sex "marriage" case in Connecticut were held yesterday before
the state supreme court.
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