Monday, September 8, 2008

This may get interesting...

Ban on Political Endorsements by Pastors Targeted
Priests and parishes have had to follow this rule forever. I wondered how long it would take for denominational churches to catch up and be held to account. They act as if they have been stifled when I hear much coming out of "other churches".

There are many christian churches here that have political signs in the lawns and "invite" politicians to speak. I do miss the voter guides though. I think many people needed them and used them wisely.

Such endorsements are prohibited by a 1954 amendment to the Internal Revenue Code that says nonprofit, tax-exempt entities may not "participate in, or intervene in . . . any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office."

4 comments:

Samantha said...

Yeah, but I wonder how many churches actually lose their tax exempt status. People should really be more aware that this is illegal.

Lynne said...

This law was sponsered/authored by LBJ because he was unhappy that pastors in TX were speaking out against him...

Liz said...

Do African-American churches and Buddhist temples count? It always seems like some politicians show up in those venues and no one complains.

Joe of St. Thérèse said...

as lynne said the law was written because people were campaigning against him. (Which is exactly why the law should be revoked)