The IRS has officially allowed clergy to endorse political candidates from the pulpit without risking their churches' tax-exempt status, fundamentally altering the separation of church and state. This has been a growing trend since the 1980s, where the Christian right aligned themselves politically with the Republican Party, creating a dangerous alliance for power and influence. Now, congregants seeking spiritual fulfillment will face political sermons, marking a significant shift in the relationship between faith and politics in America.
The Internal Revenue Service made it official, saying that pastors, priests, and other clergy are now free to endorse political candidates from the pulpit, while their churches are able to keep their tax-exempt status.
Since Ronald Reagan's 1980 campaign, the Christian right has exploited the pulpit for political gain, aligning with Republicans under the banner of 'pro-life' virtue.
The IRS decision this week takes that devil's bargain to a new and dangerous level, akin to something like doing away with all gun restrictions.
Now congregants across the country, people searching for faith, community, and healing, will be forced to sit through political sermons.
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