No Word From I.R.S. On Protest By Pastors

April 25, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The New York Times

Wire Service: AP

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/26/us/politics/26churches.html?_r=1&ref=us

Nearly seven months after defying a prohibition on endorsing candidates from the pulpit, 33 churches across the country are still waiting to learn whether the Internal Revenue Service will take action against them.

The goal of a Sept. 28 event called Pulpit Freedom Sunday was to start a legal fight and ultimately overturn regulations that prevent places of worship from supporting or opposing candidates for office. But a conservative legal group that organized the effort says the agency has yet to notify the churches of any investigation.

Legal experts suggest a number of possibilities: The I.R.S. has nothing to gain from a costly and mainly symbolic battle, it has limited resources or it could still be deciding how to respond.

On Sept. 28, participating pastors urged worshipers to vote according to conservative views on abortion and same-sex marriage. Several endorsed the Republican presidential candidate, Senator John McCain.

Under the agency’s code, places of worship can distribute voter guides, run nonpartisan voter-registration drives and hold forums on issues, among other things. But they cannot endorse a candidate, nor can their political activity be for or against a candidate.

Churches that violate the rule can lose their tax-exempt status.

The protest was organized by the Alliance Defense Fund, based in Phoenix, and involved pastors in 22 states.