Challenging the Separation of Church and State

Since 1954, in order to maintain tax-exempt status under IRS guidelines, churches have to maintain election neutrality. Their representatives can neither endorse or not endorse a candidate. The Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative organization, is rallying ministers to stand up for their first amendment rights and defy this half century edict by endorsing candidates. This Sunday certain ministers throughout the country have vowed to do so, to uphold what they're calling "scriptural truth about candidates for office or issues." They're calling September 28 "Pulpit Freedom Sunday."

The IRS will likely impose the law, that is take away participating churches' tax exempt status. And the churches will subsequently appeal in the courts, challenging the constitutionality of the law.

In my estimation the relatively strict separation of church and state, certainly as expressed in the 1954 edict, is good for both religion and for the nation.

An organization that's been active since 1947, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, expresses the right perspective of the delicate balance between religious institutions and the interests of the nation.