From God Discussion-According to the Episcopal News Service (ENS) over 1500 clergy defied Separation of Church and State on “Pulpit Freedom Sunday”, but ministers of the Episcopal Church allegedly defied the defiers by staying non-partisan and continuing to preach on non-partisan topics, encouraging their congregations to protest war, fight poverty, and support women’s health care, as well as LGBT issues.
Some of the ministers defying the IRS told their congregations that if they voted for a particular candidate, they would go to hell. Others told their congregations if they support particular issues, they are going to hell or called sinful for voting for Obama. The Alliance Defending Justice does so, in an effort to challenge the IRS, according ENS.
However, Rev. Ed Bacon, rector of All Saints Episcopal Church, did the opposite and even went as far as telling the story of the IRS attending church, in the second video, and accusing the church of practicing politics during an election season. The IRS, after demanding the church admit to it, with the church refusing to do so, dropped the inquiry after two years. The sermon in question dealt with peacekeeping, justice, inclusion, compassion, healing, and environmental justice, critiquing various politicians and government policies. In the video below, the minister did state whom they endorsed, reminding people, “Faith without works is dead” and “spirituality without action is fruitless” and “social action without spirituality is heartless”, adding that they are political without being partisan, acting daringly.
More here-
http://www.goddiscussion.com/102331/the-episcopal-church-faith-and-u-s-politics-defying-the-defiers-on-pulpit-freedom-sunday/
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