Protesting pastors back candidates from the pulpit

Here's a story that will have far-reaching consequences, beyond the current presidential race. At stake is not only whether religious non-profits can endorse candidates without losing tax-exempt status, but whether any tax-exempt status can be linked to a ban on such endorsements. The pastors are looking for a test case, planning to argue that this is a limit on their First Amendment rights.

Protesting pastors back candidates from the pulpit: "Pastor Luke Emrich prepared his sermon this week knowing his remarks could invite an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service. But that was the whole point, so Emrich forged ahead with his message: Thou shalt vote according to the Scriptures.

'I'm telling you straight up, I would choose life,' Emrich told about 100 worshippers Sunday at New Life Church, a nondenominational evangelical congregation about 40 miles from Milwaukee.

'I would cast a vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin,' he said. 'But friends, it's your choice to make, it's not my choice. I won't be in the voting booth with you.'

All told, 33 pastors in 22 states were to make pointed recommendations about political candidates Sunday, an effort orchestrated by the Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund.

The conservative legal group plans to send copies of the pastors' sermons to the IRS with hope of setting off a legal fight and abolishing restrictions on church involvement in politics. Critics call it unnecessary, divisive and unlikely to succeed."