Group promotes Pulpit Freedom Sunday

MESA, AZ - The Alliance Defense Fund says Pulpit Freedom Sunday is not really about a political sermon, but rather about a church discussing moral issues in the culture.

Christian attorney Joe Infranco from the Scottsdale-based group says there are pastors around the country Sunday using the pulpit to talk about what was once taboo: politics and candidates they either endorse or oppose.

"If they wish to evaluate candidates on the basis of those beliefs," said Infranco, "Our view is they should be free to do so without the threat of government punishment."

Infranco says churches should be able to exercise their freedom of speech.

The IRS sees it a different way and says they are aware of the Sunday pulpit activities. It says churches caught preaching politics could lose their tax exempt status.

About a hundred have signed on nationally, but none here in Arizona.

That doesn't surprise Pastor James Adams from Mesa's Christ of Cornerstone Church who learned a saying a long time ago in Columbia.

"The politicians there promise everything," he said, "But they don't come through with anything."

Instead of putting out his political agenda, the Mesa pastor says he would only discuss moral issues and how they relate to the bible.

Adams says too many times churches find themselves in trouble, not only legally, but even morally when they get behind a candidate who then becomes the next biggest scandal.

It turns out more parishioners might agree. A recent survey by Pew Forum found 70 percent of Americans say churches should stay away from talking about candidates.