Ohio ministers challenge legal group's pulpit plan
September 07, 2008 09:18 EDT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A group of mainline ministers in swing state Ohio is challenging a push by a conservative legal organization to allow pastors to endorse political candidates.

The group led by a liberal United Church of Christ minister says the IRS restriction against politics in the pulpit should stay in effect.

UCC minister Eric Williams says the effort by the Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund jeopardizes the historic separation of church and state in the United States.

The defense fund has launched its Pulpit Initiative to challenge the IRS restriction on ministers supporting or opposing political candidates.

The defense fund has enlisted ministers around the country to challenge the restrictions with political sermons Sept. 28.