|
Advocacy Blog
Monday, January 07, 2008
Pastors in Iowa Supporting Huckabee Received Anonymous Warning Letters
The Washington Post reported last week that several Iowa pastors supporting Republican Presidential nominee Mike Huckabee received anonymous letters cautioning that support of Huckabee could jeopardize their tax-exempt status. According to IRS regulations, charities, educational institutions and religious organizations are prohibited from participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office. According to the law, religious ministers and pastors can endorse a candidate as individuals, but cannot use their position to encourage members to vote for a specific nominee. See OMB Watch's website for more information on the ban.
In the January 3rd Washington Post article , the pastors received letters with no return address. The letters said that the IRS is investigating churches that improperly support a candidate for office.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State — an organization that has repeatedly filed complaints with the IRS alleging church politicking — commented on the letters on its website blog , writing,
"Although most religious leaders follow the rules, Americans United continues to encounter examples of pastors who step way over the line. They issue endorsements from the pulpit, hold rallies for candidates in church or use church resources — like bulletins, marquee signs and letterhead — to promote or attack candidates."
Posted by Katie Clabby
|