On politics…

September 25, 2008 · Filed Under Baum's Blog 

Wow! We haven’t even been up for a month – and we’ve had 400 different visitors. We couldn’t have done it without all of you (literally – because you are probably counted among the 400) – but also because many of you have helped us spread the word. Thank you!

And speaking of wow, we got an unsolicited call earlier this week from the Jewish Chronicle of Pittsburgh – they wanted to run a story about OurJewishCommunity.org. Very exciting – the story came out in their September 25th issue – and is unfortunately not online. But, if anyone out there is in Pittsburgh, hopefully you’ll see the article! And our article in PresenTense magazine is out as well – this is a short version from their hard copy – but a longer version should be on their website soon.

Unfortunately, our site was down for a few hours yesterday- network problems. For those who were wondering, it wasn’t that we decided to postpone our site until after the financial crisis was worked out…

Please don’t read into that – it is not an endorsement or a criticism of either candidate. I keep those views private – for lots of reasons – including the fact that as a congregational rabbi, I’m not allowed to use my pulpit (in this case, my cyber-pulpit) to endorse or oppose particular candidates.

The government has a policy not allowing non-profit (501c3) organizations like churches and synagogues to endorse particular political candidates. It makes a lot of sense.

Yet, this coming Sunday, a small group of clergy – sparked by the Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative legal group, is encouraging clergy to endorse candidates from the pulpit. They are essentially breaking the law in hopes that the IRS will challenge them – so that they can then challenge the law back.

I’m no lawyer, and I’m sure I don’t understand all the nuances. But, it seems ridiculous to me that clergy would suggest that their right to free speech is being violated. Nobody is telling clergy they cannot support or endorse or speak out about a candidate – as private citizens. We just can’t use our pulpits to do so. I say, if you are clergy and you really want to endorse candidates from the pulpit, then just give up your tax-exempt status. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

Beyond that, what I find particularly striking is a quotation from Erik Stanley, senior legal counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund. According to the New York Times, Stanley said: “We’re asking pastors to make specific recommendations based on Scripture as to how their congregations should vote.”

Hello!?! Does anyone out there really think that the Bible – a document authored hundreds of years ago – has specific recommendations about how to vote!?! The Bible is a fabulous compilation of legends – but if we are getting our political advice from there, I think we’re in big trouble.

I disagree with what the clergy who are endorsing candidates this Sunday are doing. I know which candidate is getting my vote – and I encourage you all to vote – for whomever you think the best candidate is.

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