Note: Oddly formatted, this article has a second page.

Writer Loudin mentions too that her own pastor at Skyline Church of San Diego (and names him) is "leading the charge" and "getting in the face of" those who would subvert our Constitutional rights.

The irony is that AME churches have been endorsing candidates and holding virtual political rallies on Sundays for decades and no one seems to have troubled them - least of all the IRS.

Ugh. I know at least one of my pastors would endorse Obama. I sure hope our church doesn't participate.

I'm partisipating int the 'If My People' prayer for the country go to ifmypeople.com

I'm surprised that no one went to court over this IRS rule years ago. As far as I'm concerned, it's unconstitutional.

According to the IRS, it appears you can't exercise two rights at the same time: freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

I have to disagree with the author's position. Churches are partially financed via their exemption and tax payers should not be forced to subsidize a candidate not of their choosing, even if the subsidizing is indirect. If a church want's to retain their tax exempt status then they should not be in the endorsement business. Of course some churches already defy that, but the solution is to revoke their tax exemption, not to scrap the ban. Uneven enforcement? Certainly. Many other laws are also unevenly enforced. Is that a reason to scrap them?

#5 My pastor endorsing a candidate does not impel me to vote that way. Churches, unlike Unions, don't subsidize candidates with members' money.

#6 uh yeah unions DO use my money to vote for any dead or alive democrat. And, without my permission.
The IRS should go after the unions for violating the bill of rights against unlawful search and seizure (stealing my money to fund demos).

Churches are completely free to advocate politically from the pulpit as long as they pay their income taxes like any other business. If they want the tax exemption of 501c3 organizations then they must live by the 501c3 rules. Taxpayers, and union members, should not be supporting political advocacy.

#5, you have made an assertion without making a case for it.

Why should a tax exempt status of a church have anything to do with whether or not an individual can speak freely about politics, and on what grounds exactly should that status be revoked if they exercise their constitutional right to do so?

Nowhere in the law does tax exemption for religious organizations come with a muzzle.
Churchgoers and pastors pay taxes on their income. They have a right to speak and discuss how those taxes are used.

As a`preacher I will participate as I always do-- calling out anything that subverts God's laws-- homosexuality, abortion, poor stewardship of our tax dollars-- and the list goes on.
One doesn't have to endorse a candidate-- only hold those who govern accountable to the Constitution and Declaration of Independence-- when leaders stray fro those God inspired documents-- I call them on it.

The Constitution posits freedom of religion and freedom of speech. It makes no mention of freedom from taxation.

Pastors are free to practice their religion and to support any candidate they chose. They are not free to avoid any and all taxes.

It is arguable that the Constitution actually forbids the granting of special tax status to churches, as this might be construed as the state supporting an institution of religion. The compromise in the tax code allows churches to retain special tax status so long as they refrain from formally endorsing particular candidates. Rendering unto Caesar is the general spirit of this IRS dictate.

I must come in here since this seems to have been written by a woman. Women are not to be pastors per Bible Doctrine as translated from the Greek. Pastors are to teach doctrines translated from the Greek & Hebrew from Isogonics,Catagories & Exegesis - that is what's wrong with our Republic today pastors & priests are not teaching the truth. There should be no campaigning in churches because principles & values should have been taught - that includes free enterpise,marriage(man+woman),family,authority,strong military,nationalism & freedom. If these are taught no person should be confused as to how to vote. Ten Commandments are all about freedom & we are degenerate in all areas. II Chronicles 7:14 is strongly needed. Our nation was formed for Christians & non-Christians for freedom "Under God" let's hope we can keep her on November 6.

Black churches have done this forever - they even bring the candidates in to speak. Has the IRS ever challenged the black churches - crickets.

Liberals going to church are praying for a government check which is direct involvement with the government and should be banned.People wanting a moral president has nothing to do with politics but a personal preference on generic character.

During the 2008 election, churches (especially black ones) openly endorsed Barry and demanded their flock vote for him. What's the difference in 2012 if the IRS had no problem with it in 2008?