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Sep 8, 7:18 PM EDT
Ohio ministers challenge political pulpit plan
By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS
Associated Press Writer
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A group of ministers filed a complaint Monday with the Internal Revenue Service to stop a conservative organization from encouraging pastors to endorse or oppose political candidates.
The group of 55 religious leaders from Ohio, Indiana, Iowa and other states said the actions by the Alliance Defense Fund jeopardize the constitutional separation of church and state.
"The rightful place of religious leaders and communities of faith in American life is not in electoral politics," said the Rev. Eric Williams, a minister with the liberal United Church of Christ.
The Phoenix-based conservative group has enlisted ministers around the country to invite investigations by the IRS by giving political sermons Sept. 28, a day the group has dubbed "Pulpit Freedom Sunday." The alliance says it will represent any churches targeted by the IRS in lawsuits against the government.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/P/PULPIT_FIGHT?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US
Ohio ministers challenge political pulpit plan
By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS
Associated Press Writer
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A group of ministers filed a complaint Monday with the Internal Revenue Service to stop a conservative organization from encouraging pastors to endorse or oppose political candidates.
The group of 55 religious leaders from Ohio, Indiana, Iowa and other states said the actions by the Alliance Defense Fund jeopardize the constitutional separation of church and state.
"The rightful place of religious leaders and communities of faith in American life is not in electoral politics," said the Rev. Eric Williams, a minister with the liberal United Church of Christ.
The Phoenix-based conservative group has enlisted ministers around the country to invite investigations by the IRS by giving political sermons Sept. 28, a day the group has dubbed "Pulpit Freedom Sunday." The alliance says it will represent any churches targeted by the IRS in lawsuits against the government.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/P/PULPIT_FIGHT?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US