Dave, an Atlanta attorney who shares his musings over at Rather Than Working, offered his take on free speech and separation of church and state. Thanks, Dave!

There’s been some news and editorial coverage lately about conservative ministers trying to bait the IRS into denying their churches’ tax exempt status because they are preaching politics.

As a lawyer, I should probably go and look at the IRS Regulations before I spout here; but, for what I have to say, I don’t think I need to.

As a person, I’ve always been uncomfortable with religions getting involved with politics, be it lobbying for public aid for religious schools or the Jerry Falwells and Michael Pflegers of the world pushing their views on the rest of us.

I actually didn’t know that a church had to be non-political to maintain its tax exempt status and I really don’t understand why it has to. The Democratic Party is tax exempt as is the Republican Party. The Moral Majority and the Anti-Defamation League are both tax exempt and are both related to religious entities. Planned Parenthood and Operation Rescue ditto. All can espouse political views but a Southern Baptist minister, a Catholic priest and a Jewish rabbi can’t?

Churches, charities and political groups are all tax exempt. Why are churches restricted in promoting their members’ political views and other non-profits aren’t? Maybe I’m missing something; but, it doesn’t make sense to me.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

I don’t see an “except from the pulpit” clause in there.