From an earlier post; "....in order to support a candidate [McCain] who opposes a woman's right to choose what to do or not do with her own body."

I made a correction for accuracy; "....in order to support a candidate [McCain] who opposes a woman's choice to murder the unborn child"-Shopierehuh

Shopierehuh, as it stands now in the United States, the Laws which are on the books trump the so-called "laws" that are in the books of religion. A woman's choice to have a child or abort the pregnancy is a legal right which you cannot take away from her, today. Religious sanctimony is what our forebearers were leaving Europe from; persecution.

The church in West Bend is now probably going to lose it's tax exempt status. Why? The Pastor broke a law. That's not my opinion, or my spiritual position. He broke a law. Period.

Old but relevant dialog about politics from the pulpit and the IRS:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story...

Single issue voter? Apparently you haven't heard the ad being run constantly by the Obama campaign over the past week or two.

As far as bashing those who are Christians, does that make you feel better about yourself? I don't believe that my belief in Christianity makes me weaker or a lunatic as some of you are inferring. I am certainly not perfect, however I am not about to call you names because you don't believe what I do. I hope that more people may step back and really see what they are missing out on.

If people could focus more on positives and try to understand each other, maybe more people would see what is truly important in this world.

I hope these churches get the legal action they're begging for. This is no different than a teacher or boss urging students or employees to vote for a candidate. Politics have no business in churches. Does this or any of the other pastors know any of the other issues in this election? The problems with the economy will probably effect most of their congregations, yet he's urging them to vote for a candidate based on a single issue that really isn't as big an issue as the far right makes it out to be. Barack Obama doesn't support abortion either, but he supports an individual's right to make their own decisions. That's the way life should be. What I want the far/religious right to understand is that if abortion goes back to being illegal, it will go back to being unsafe. Banning legal abortion won't eliminate abortion. Think about this very carefully...do we really want to go back to the days of back-alley, coat hanger abortions? The rate of women choosing abortion is on the decline now, mostly because of better education and more options than were available in past decades.
*
Please, don't vote on only one issue. The big picture should always be taken into account when voting on something as important as our leader for the next four years. Regardless of who you vote for, please look at all the issues, not just one hot-button topic.

Another single issue voter.

I can see Russia from my house...

petcat...If you don't like do something about it. Start a petition, run for office, do something to make a change.

"A pastor in West Bend is advising his congregation to vote for Republican Senator John McCain"
See...nobody's perfect!

I think a church should be able to endorse any candidate they want. however, they just cannot be tax exempt by irs rules. pay your taxes like a business and you can say whatever you want politically.

What the Pastor is doing is no different then what Americans did when they wanted to repeal the ban on drinking. All they are doing is testing the law. If it's upheld then they will abide by it. Then again I think church's should be able to endorse a candidate. Also whether or not you believe in Jesus (i do) show me one religous group who does condone abortion.

That's why some pastors refer to their followers as a flock - they can't think for themselves. Scary.

"The economy is about to crumble down on our heads and their main worry is abortion. How typical of the religious right." How appropriate you are called devilsadvocate.. Maybe you should be called devils friend. The murder or babies, the destruction of the moral fiber of our country. Just a little FYI for you, it was a democrat who set up the system to fail, just check out 1999....

"A conservative legal group has asked Emrich and dozens of other pastors to break the rules so the group can mount a legal challenge. "?

It looks like this group is trying to make it appear that the IRS is the bad guy and position the church as the meak. Its difficult to think that this isn't just a gimmick. Has the IRS specifically commented on this church losing their tax-exempt status? NO. It would seem that this is a sideshow meant to take citizens' attentions from real issues.

The economy is about to crumble down on our heads and their main worry is abortion. How typical of the religious right.

What you guys never heard of the Boston Tea Party? What a bunch of lemmings. Repeat after the voice over the loud speaker, "Obey, the government!"

Free speech may not be dead, but it sure is sick!

From an earlier post; "....in order to support a candidate [McCain] who opposes a woman's right to choose what to do or not do with her own body."

I made a correction for accuracy; "....in order to support a candidate [McCain] who opposes a woman's choice to murder the unborn child"

lakennedy which version of God do you partake in. The one that says it's not a sin to take a life? I am not your judge, but research your Bible and you will find that Jesus Christ broke many man made laws in his days. My God's laws trumps yours because he created the universe whether you agree or not. A Pastors calling is to lead his congregation, not follow rules set upon him. Jesus condemned the religious law-followers of his time.
lakennedy I pray for you and those like you who do not understand the real true and living God. BTW my vote cancels your vote.

Ignorance + superstition = Religion

I must have missed something in this article, like the invisible ink that said something about Barack Obama. I read,” A pastor in West Bend is advising his congregation to vote for Republican Senator John McCain, a move that could invite an IRS investigation. IRS rules say churches that endorse specific candidates risk losing their tax exempt status.”
Did it say anything about Barack Obama? Nope. Hmmmm! Barack Obama is the IRS! I think not. Maybe some of you should try thinking again, for the first time. Just my opinion.

sad sad sad....

**starts packing for Canada**

The reality of a select populations definition of God? That's horrifying.
Kenbjammen: I guess I'm in trouble, because I definitley have a different definition of God than you do, therefore I have a different set of laws to abide by. Perhaps you ought to let me know why your definition of God trumps mine? Why should your God's laws take precedence over everyone else's? This is the exact kind of extremism that we're fighting in the war on terror...those who believe that their God is the one and only true God.

I applaud those brave pastors. History has always been made by a brave few. Somehow someone has to break through the rhetoric of the Obama campaign and get back to reality.

Which god?

One of many churches. There was a national stance made by several churches today. Unfortunately God's laws and direction trump all National, and State laws.. Look it up in the book... Oh yeah! Obama doesn't want you to read that one..

If you want to continue to enjoy a tax-exempt status, play by the rules.

Boy, you know, I guess it really has come down to people feeling entitled to break this country's laws in the name of whatever is convenient at the time. If you don't like the laws, as they stand, do something about them legislatively rather than just breaking the laws. Breaking the law sets what standards for your children?

Oh sorry, he's breaking the law to protest, in order to support a candidate [McCain] who opposes a woman's right to choose what to do or not do with her own body. Outstanding!