• THE EFFECT OF GOVERNMENT INTRUSION

CHURCHES SHOULD CONSIDER FORGOING TAX EXEMPTION
Freedom of speech more important now than ever
Pastors and ministers need to speak out on the issues
SPECIAL OPINION

So I go to church last weekend, and though I usually go on Saturday evenings, I went on Sunday morning. The fellow who usually teaches on Saturday nights is off for a couple of weeks so I decided to try Sunday mornings again. I'm glad I went.

The pastor was giving a sermon about the time when God 'gives up'; that being, when God gives a person (or a government) over to their sinful ways. God forbid anyone get to the point where they are comfortable in their sin. Once a person does not feel guilt anymore, and can sin at will and repeatedly, there is real trouble. At that point, often God has given the person over to their depravity.

As the pastor talked, he zeroed in on some troubles in Biblical times where God 'gave up'. God did so, for instance, in the time of Noah when the great flood came. The pastor talked about the fact that one particular sin seems to be the tipping point: The acceptance of homosexuality.

Government, both state and
federal, is becoming more and
more aggressive toward churches
that take any stand politically.

Not just homosexuality existing in the world, but homosexuality being accepted by society as good and decent. Homosexual marriage. Once homosexuality is equal to God's institution of marriage, God seems to 'give up'.

So the pastor took a few minutes and outlined all of the pro-homosexual bills we've approved here in California, most recently of course the bill making a special day of May 22 - Harvey Milk Day. Milk is the famous sodomite who was shot dead by a crazed former city councilman back in the 70s. Now, Milk will be praised every May 22 in California, especially in the public schools where the bill requires some observance be made on this special day.

The pastor criticized the limp-wristed and tiresome Arnold Schwarzenegger for signing the bill. He also reminded us that a number of these bills that affect the public schools in favor of homosexual indoctrination do so without allowing parents to opt their children out. All very sick, very fascistic stuff.

I was looking forward to snagging some of these bits in the online recording from the church website in order to play them on my show. When the sermon was posted on Tuesday, I found that the portions where the pastor talked of this 'political' issues had been cut from the tape on the website.

I certainly understand why. Government, both state and federal, is becoming more and more aggressive toward churches that take any stand politically. Ministries have been sued by persons in the attempt to get the church's tax exempt status removed by the IRS.

I think it's about time that some churches do this on their own, and begin speaking freely and without reservation.

Now is the time for churches and pastors and congregations to stand up and speak out - not feel the need to hold back! The country - and the world for that matter - needs the truth like never before. What better time in our country's history for a pastor or minister to teach a Bible principle and illustrate it with our social and political problems we face right now?

Without having to worry about a lawsuit or a review by the IRS of a church's standing as a tax exempt entity, the pastors and ministers will be free to speak on any issue, any time, with as much detail as they wish. They can name names, party affiliation and agendas. The pastors and ministers will have the muzzles removed, and we congregants need that kind of outspoken leadership now more than ever.

Certainly churches would need to have their boards review this decision, and even call a meeting with their congregations to discuss it. No one would be able to write off their donations after a church moves to change their tax exempt status. But personally, I have had it with the world the way it is going, and I'd welcome a pastor who could speak out on whatever issue or politician he wanted to.

What a breath of fresh air.

If you agree with this in principle, why not take the idea to your local church. Perhaps it's time for a movement. Perhaps it's time to be free, indeed.

---

Addendum: I was conversing with friends on Facebook, and wrote an elaboration that would be relevant here:

I have given much to many ministries through many years. It is a good thing, I believe, to be able to give and write off a donation - good stewardship. It is also good, I think, for churches to have been able to operate as charities because most of the work churches do is charitable.

But these are different times. Years ago, churches were not characterized as the enemy by many in government and many people (atheists, homosexuals and other such vermin).

Now, many in the country are militant anti-God. It's time for churches to change their way of thinking, because these are dangerous times and congregants need to hear the straight truth about everything that's going on. Pastors and ministers cannot depend on their flock to hear the Bible message and intuitively apply it to current events. --Jz