A Montana pastor has won his case against a state law designed to remove pastors from the political process, giving one attorney hope that similar laws will soon be deemed "outdated and outmoded."
Pastor Calvin Zastrow was arrested on a trespassing charge after refusing to leave a location where he was trying to convince voters they had a duty as Christians to support pro-life initiatives and candidates. The charge was dismissed, but he sued over a 1913 law that could still be used against pastors -- a law a federal court has now ruled unconstitutional.
Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Erik Stanley says the incident could clear the way for dealing with similar unconstitutional laws that restrict pastors' speech.
"We're happy that this Montana censorship law has been struck down because it's blatantly unconstitutional to stop pastors and churches from being involved in the political process," he remarks.
"This law seems like it's an outdated, outmoded law that was never enforced, and it's good to know that it's now unconstitutional and off the books."
The law is similar to the 1954 Johnson Amendment, which threatens the tax-exempt status of churches that endorse candidates.
"I would like to see the Johnson Amendment go the way of this Montana law and be known as an outdated, outmoded attempt to get churches to be silent during election season and that it's blatantly unconstitutional," Stanley tells OneNewsNow.
"Pulpit Freedom Sunday" was this past weekend, and 1,586 pastors defied the IRS by preaching a biblical stance on social issues and candidates. If necessary, Alliance Defending Freedom is prepared to take the IRS to court to gain the freedom of speech for pastors.