Should Religious Leaders Endorse From the Pulpit?

the last person regarding religious free speech

I don't know who you are, but your coments grossly lack knowledge of Gods word. Jesus said in Matthew, that all power is given to me in heaven and earth. then he said in ephesians that this same power is given to usward. and he's not talking about religious matter, but spiritual matters. Then, any bishop that favors abortions are their selfs, accompliss to murdering the children, whom God said forbid them not to come unto me. This is not saying to come to heaven before they get the chance to learn of God. he's talking about them coming to him here on earth. And perhaps God did give you the freedom of choice "for yourself", but also the same for the other life being created within you. When you allowed yourself to get pregnant, you gave up a part of your freedom to that living child inside of you. so don't take away its freedom of choice to be born. allow the unborn child the same freedom, because God does. on the other hand,its ignorant to assume that you have will or power over your own body. because Gods word tells us to present our body a living sacrafise, holy and exceptable unto God. which is our resonable service. how can you do that if you destroy the very life that God is creating in your womb?

Viewpoint Regarding Religious Free Speech

No one or single church has the authority on religious matter. Many Christians refer to the Bible for spiritual guidance.

The recent withholding of Holy Communion by some bishops to politicians favoring abortion is contrary to God's intent that allows the freedom of choice and the use of conscience. These bishops should be reminded that Christ once said "let anyone who is without sin cast the first stone."

Tax exemption a privilege, not a right

That is what we said about voting 100 years ago, when women were denied the vote (as well as slaves and prisoners). Today, it is generally accepted that every citizen has the "right," indeed duty, to vote.

That is what we said about education 100 years ago, but have since recognized that it benefits society for all people to be educated. Then we saw the rise of public schools, offering a "free" education to everyone.

That is what we implicitly say about health care today. You can get it if your employers pays for it, or you pay for it at a cost that is unaffordable to many people. The rising calls for universal health care makes it a right, not a privilege reserved for some. Society benefits when everyone has access to affordable health care.

Similarly, society benefits from the free expression of ideas, whether political, religious, or otherwise. These ideas can come from individuals or organizations. That is why we have very few limitations on the constitutional right of free speech. Government actions which inhibit free speech must be called into question and examined very carefully. We grant tax exempt status to non-profit organizations, including churches, because we recognize that they benefit society. To threaten the loss of tax exempt status restricts a church from speaking out freely, on certain issues, including political and the endorsement or non-endorsement of candidates. Is speech to be free as long as it doesn't talk about religion or political candidates? What has the government to fear here? Or is it to somehow protect some segments of society? I find it very unAmerican.