“Tax exemptions”
Read the First Amendment Center’s backgrounder on tax exemptions for religious groups, including FAQ and relevant court cases.
Tag: houses of worship
“Pulpit politics: Pastors endorse candidates, thumbing noses at the IRS”
Read a Nov. 4, 2012, NBCNews.com article that found that 1,600 pastors across the U.S. violated the long-standing ban on political endorsement by churches in October of 2012.
“Obama rallies union members”
Read a Jan. 14, 2008, Las Vegas Review-Journal article about a pastor’s backing of Obama during a worship service at the Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ. The comments prompted Americans United for Separation of Church and State to request an IRS investigation of the church.
“Houston Megachurch Pastor Roots for Obama”
Read a Jan. 20, 2008, Associated Press story about Houston megachurch pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell’s endorsement of Obama. The story appeared in the Houston Chronicle.
“Pastor’s endorsement of candidate probed”
Read a Feb. 14, 2008, Los Angeles Times story about the IRS examining a California clergyman’s use of church letterhead to endorse Huckabee. According to the article, when it became public that Americans United for Separation of Church and State was asking the IRS to investigate, the pastor, Wiley S. Drake, encouraged supporters to pray […]
“Politicking from the Pulpit: Should Religious Leaders Endorse Candidates?”
Read a Nov. 2, 2012 PBS article about one church leaders’ fight against the IRS’ prohibition of religious endorsement of political candidates.
“Should Religious Leaders Endorse From the Pulpit?”
Read a Nov. 10, 2008 article about the ongoing debate on whether or not religious leaders should endorse candidates in elections. The site includes links to both the pro and con side of the debate.
“Religious leaders nationwide defy the IRS to endorse political candidates on ‘pulpit freedom Sunday’”
Read an Oct. 7, 2012, article about religious leaders’ political endorsements of candidates on the basis of religious freedom and freedom of speech.
“Clinton and Giuliani Seen as Not Highly Religious; Romney’s Religion Raises Concerns”
Read poll data on religion and politics from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.