Church and state

So I saw this story on usatoday:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/
2008-09-10-pulpit-IRS_N.htm

There are "liberal" church leaders encouraging the IRS to crack down on preachers who are endorsing candidates. Many of these preachers are supporting candidates at the encouraging of the Alliance Defense Fund (http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/main/default.aspx). The ADF wants the pastor to break the law so they can challenge it in court.

[I see this group as the twin brother of the ACLU. Though they each see each other as the evil twin.The ADF defends sanctity of life (though apparently not the lives of deathrow inmates) traditional families (is divorce becoming art of our tradition?) and religious freedom (right wing fundamentalist christian freedom apparently)]

The "liberals" claim that there should be a strict separation of church and state and that preachers should stay out of politics. The ADF thinks that preachers should be able to speak of biblical truth in all aspects of politics. I agree with the ADF desire to speak Biblical truth on everything, even politics (But I think their own theology keeps them from speaking the TRUTH more than the IRS ever will). I disagree with them if they think that they should be able to critic the government and point out where it fails to live up to God's calls for justice and still expect the government to give them a break on Taxes. You can have freedom of religion, thats a 1st amendment right. Freedom from taxes is not a right. Its part of deal the church made with the government. "You don't bother us and we won't tax your money."

SO really, i agree, and disagree with both sides of this case. The church should speak the truth of God, and if that means you have sall out the government even individual candidates then so be it. But be prepared to give unto caesar that which is Caesar's. The money in our collection plate has the Gov't name on it, so sometimes we might have to give the Gov't its money. Other times the Gov't may have a big dose of truth with its name on it and the church should be bold enough to give it to the Gov't as well.



I think the ADF and the church leaders opposed them need to have a talk and leave the IRS out of it. I also think the ADF is dumb. Sanctity of life....Sanctity of life you deem worthy is what you mean to say. What a bunch of hippocrites! They want to protest the war. They don't protest the death penalty. They do protest laws against demeaning the life homosexuals. Sanctity of a way life that looks like me!

"Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"
-Jesus