Comments on: Responses to Pulpit Freedom Sunday

By: SarahH

SarahH — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 23:21:14 +0000

Well, the Wall Street Journal at least acknowledged that it happened, which is nice to see. (via the Pew Forum)

By: martymankins

martymankins — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:36:50 +0000

Good to see this. Investigation should be in order. I’d like to see some tax-exempt status removed for a change… not to be mean, but to show these out of control pastors some enforcement.

By: Spook

Spook — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:51:24 +0000

Do these participating pastors have so little faith in their own congregations that they don’t trust them to vote of their own accord?

Are you kidding? They don’t use the “shepherd and flock” metaphor just for grins.

Sadly, I don’t think that this will go anywhere. The IRS won’t tax churches, even the ones that violate the law. I’d even put money on that.

By: Felicia Gilljam

Felicia Gilljam — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:32:24 +0000

I agree with Sudo. The moment they’re treated as proper NGOs, preachers should have the right to endorse whomever they will – it’s chuches being exempt from taxes that’s the real problem. But, so long as they are, preachers should obviously shut up about politics.

By: Ned Pepper and Rooster

Ned Pepper and Rooster — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:59:05 +0000

I think it is time that all Americans who value their beliefs as their own and understand what that mean to stand up to this obvious intent to theocracizse government.

If these preachers are going to do as they have done as they intentionally say they will do then they threaten all of us.

Therefore what needs to be done, as we have a right to do as we are being so threatened, is to take this protest to their churches, inside and outside, and verbally protest this attack on us, the American people, of all walks of life, to be secure in our beliefs and our pursuit of happiness from such dictatorial theocracy!!

By: Anastasia

Anastasia — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:51:19 +0000

Thanks for mentioning our event. One of the best parts is the connection we made with the Wesley Foundation. It could be risky for them to associate with us, but they did it anyway. I'm heartened by their openness and willingness to accept others. I hope this can be an example to other secular groups who might be looking for allies. The pastor of Collegiate Methodist said that endorsing a specific candidate would only divide his congregation. To him, the issues aren't as black and white as some pastors make them out to be. He is also concerned about pastors telling people what to think instead of acting as guides. It is pleasantly refreshing to find myself agreeing with people of faith, and even enjoying their company. In fact, I've started attending their weekly "Think, Pray, Vote" study groups where the intersection of religion and politics is discussed. If anyone is interested, here is the pamphlet we handed out. It is heavily based on an Americans United pamphlet, but fits a trifold 8x11 instead of a quadfold 11x14. If you would like a word file of the pamphlet, contact isuaas at gmail.

By: Sudo

Sudo — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:52:29 +0000

I don’t care if they talk politics in the pulpit. They just need to pay taxes like everybody else.

By: Awesomesauce

Awesomesauce — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:46:39 +0000

Dirty atheists.

By: swizzlenuts

swizzlenuts — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:48:39 +0000

I’m a part of the AAS group for Iowa State, and I felt that having the Methodists with us helped out a lot. We got a lot comments saying, “why are you with the atheists?” The church said they have the same cause as us, to help humanity.