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Should
Christians Be Involved in Politics?
During
the 20th Century, many Christians vanished from the public policy
arena. Post World War II prosperity, along with a desire to avoid
becoming "worldly," lured many Christians into political
complacency. Unfortunately, the further Christians removed
themselves from the political arena, the more our nation's
institutions decayed. By the time the danger to our once-great
institutions was recognized, the bright lights of the nation once
known as the shining "City on a Hill" began to dim.
President John Adams said, "Our Constitution was made only
for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the
government of any other." Our nation's foundation was laid
upon the bedrock of Biblical truths, truths clearly evident
throughout our founding documents.
Clearly, our nation's founding fathers expected people of faith to
participate in the political process. And although a church's tax
status does limit the amount of political activity it may engage
in, it does not prohibit a church from encouraging citizenship.
The do's and don'ts will help guide you, without jeopardizing your
church's tax-exempt status, as you lead your congregation into the
God-given duties of citizenship. Remember, as Edmund Burke warned,
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is good men to
do nothing"
Most of us have heard that churches are not allowed to be involved
in politics...but this is not the case! The following are
the guidelines that churches need to follow in the political
arena:
CHURCHES MAY NOT:
- Endorse
candidates directly or indirectly from the pulpit on behalf of the
church
Contribute funds or services (such as mailing lists or
office equipment) directly to candidates or political committees
Distribute materials that clearly favor any one
candidate or political party
Pay fees for partisan political events from church
funds
Allow candidates to solicit funds while speaking in
church
Set up a political committee that would contribute
funds to political candidates
HOWEVER, CHURCHES MAY:
- Conduct
non-partisan voter registration drives
Distribute non-partisan voter education materials, such
as Christian Coalition voter guides and scorecards
Host candidate or issue forums where all viable
candidates are invited and allowed to speak
Allow candidates and elected officials to speak at
church services; if one is allowed to speak, others should not be
prohibited from speaking
Educate members about pending legislation
Lobby for legislation and may spend no more than an
insubstantial amount of its budget (five percent is safe) on
direct lobbying activities
Endorse candidates in their capacity as private
citizens - A pastor does not lose his right to free speech because
he is an employee of a church
Participate fully in political committees that are
independent of the church
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