Politics To The Pulpit

Bringing Politics To The Pulpit

Posted: Sep 28, 2008 08:37 PM CDT
Updated: Sep 28, 2008 08:39 PM CDT


Pastors all across the country are choosing to bring politics to the pulpit by taking part in "Pulpit Freedom Sunday."
By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Pastors all across the country are choosing to bring politics to the pulpit by taking part in "Pulpit Freedom Sunday." This movement was created to try and an erase a 54-year-old law that prevents pastors from preaching politics.
Sunday morning, Pastor Paul Blair gave a different type of sermon at the Fairview Baptist Church. The sermon had him endorsing a candidate for president, something the law makes clear he isn't supposed to do.
But Pastor Blair didn't stop there. He also went ahead and outlined the differences between the two candidates for president.
Pastor Blair brought up gay marriage and told his congregation it would be a mistake to vote for Senator Obama because in his words Obama "doesn't defend the sanctity of the home."
"As a Christian, a born again believer in Jesus Christ, as a citizen of the United States of America, I will be casting my vote in the November election for the patriot John Sydney McCain, not for Barack Hussein Obama," Pastor Blair said during his sermon.
According to the IRS, the law specifically states a pastor speaking from the pulpit cannot endorse a candidate nor should he compare voting records of candidates.
After Pastor Blair gave his sermon, he received a big cheer from those in the church. His members were very supportive.
However, because he gave the sermon, he does put his church at a financial risk. Pastor Blair is believed to be one of hundreds of other pastors in 22 states taking part in "Pulpit Freedom Sunday."