Preachers who spoke about politics during the 7th annual Pulpit Freedom Sunday on October 5 did not just address their respective congregations, but they also insisted that the Internal Revenue Service hears them so tax regulators know what religious people think of their policies.

Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) organized Sunday’s event that involved approximately 1,500 pastors, who intentionally violated the law that forbids churches from engaging in political speeches. By expressing their views on certain political candidates from the pulpit, participating preachers aimed at urging the government to reconsider what religious people consider an unfair restriction on sermon topics.

Under current laws, “churches registered as 501(c) 3 nonprofits risk losing their tax-exempt status if they appear to endorse or oppose candidates from the pulpit,” explained The Wall Street Journal.

ADF clarified that the event was a strategic litigation plan. Their clarification was filled with First Amendment language, as the group tried to show how existing restrictions are not only inconvenient but also unconstitutional.

“Through the courage of individual churches, freedoms of speech and religion will be restored to many more,” the alliance said.

However, participating churches may find themselves in the soup sooner or later, considering that in July, the IRS assured the pulpit’s top adversary, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), even more stringent enforcement of the prohibition on political speech after a related lawsuit was filed against the FFRF.

Photo Credit: Secular Today