I've already mentioned the Alliance Defense Fund's (ADF) "Pulpit Initiative," a project wherein the ADF is encouraging pastors to place their churches' tax-exempt status in jeopardy by violating the IRS ban on electioneering that applies to all 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations. Let me highlight a portion of a Q and A from the ADF packet of materials on this project:
What kind of commitment is required to participate?
Each client church will assist the ADF in preparing a specific challenge to the Johnson Amendment that involves a pastor preaching from the pulpit where the sermon conflicts with the IRS speech restriction. Each pastor will prepare the sermon with the assistance and direction of the ADF to ensure maximum effectiveness in challenging the IRS. (emphasis added)
So the goal is not for the ministers to provide the most faithful words and witness to the flock. No, the goal is for the ministers to prepare the sermons "with the assistance and direction" of a bunch of lawyers "to ensure maximum effectiveness in challenging the IRS." Good to know.
P.S. Don Byrd asks, "I wonder what a lawyer's hourly rate is for writing a sermon?" P.P.S. In case it is not obvious, this is just a bit of humor. The ADF will be offering its legal services pro bono to those who participate in this project.
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