IRS says churches whose pastors endorse candidates from pulpit shouldn't lose tax-exempt status
CBSJUL 8
IRS Will Allow Church Endorsements of Political Candidates
Above: Jerusalem-Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church in Rockville, Maryland. Image copyright: Allison Robbert/The Washington Post/Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
Finally, the fundamental First Amendment rights of pastors and religious leaders are being protected after years of government overreach. Churches should never have been threatened with losing their tax-exempt status for exercising their constitutional right to speak on matters of faith and morality, including political candidates.
Democratic narrative
Campaign finance laws are being radically altered under the guise of religious freedom — potentially opening floodgates for political operatives to funnel money through tax-exempt religious organizations while receiving generous tax breaks. This decision could transform churches and other tax-exempt groups into political tools.