More on Churches and Politics

Interesting article on the ABC News web site about certain church pastors openly defying the 501(c)(3) prohibition on intervention in a political campaign. Though I don't necessarily agree with the political activity ban in general, I find it exasperating that certain pastors apparently believe that tax-exemption is a natural (I'd say "God-given," but perhaps that's pushing the pun a bit far) right and that they should be immune from government regulation on this issue. If churches want to be active in politics, there's an easy way for them to do that: give up tax exemption under 501(c)(3) and the accompanying right to receive tax-deductible contributions. Ah, but the "let's eat the cake and have it, too" syndrome appears alive and well in certain churches (not all, mind you: there are many folks in the religious world who shun political participation as antithetical to their religious mission).

Looks like it's going to be a long five months for the IRS . . .

JDC