Albany,GA -
The presidential candidates are in the home stretch, of trying to court undecided voters and the campaigning is wide open.
Political ads can be seen on the Internet, Web and maybe even in church. Is campaigning in the church going too far or even legal?
Preaching politics in the pulpit is a pretty common practice, because the line between campaigning and free speech is blurred. It's also one of the least enforced laws on the Georgia books.
Campaign Season overload from the highway, to the web and even in the pulpit. "The reference was made that President Obama was Hitler. The other comment I heard about was someone calling Mitt Romney an unsaved Mormon," said Pastor Jenkins.
It's comments like those, he's heard in area churches and doesn't agree with. "We are stewards of Christ, not to go out and dictate politicians or how we feel about things," said Jenkins.
When it comes to politics and national movements, the church has always had its place. During the civil rights movement, the church was the main meeting place to hear fiery speeches from leaders like Dr. King and Rev. Jesse Jackson. Two men who have dabbled in politics.
"There's a strong tradition of black political leaders coming out of the church," said Attorney Maurice King. He's been practicing Election Law for over 15 years.
King says most churches doesn't know preaching politics from the pulpit is illegal. "A church is a non-profit organization that cannot engage in political activities," said King.
This law is extremely hard to enforce. "There's no way to have somebody in every church on every Sunday every time the church opens," said King.
At the same time, churches and candidates are protected as well by the First Amendment. "Say a pastor says, I'm not telling you how to vote, but I voted for this person. Is that a violation? It gets kind of tricky," said King.
"There is no free speech when it comes to God's house. It's simply you preach my word," said Pastor Jenkins.
Recently 38 Georgia churches have come out against the law barring non-profits from political activities. Pastors are challenging the government saying, it's free speech to preach politics in the pulpit.
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