Churches and the IRS Code

An email has been sent out by the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) that tells what can and cannot be done by a church/pastor in regards to political issues according to the IRS Code 501(c)(3).

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With election season approaching, it is very important for your pastors to clearly understand the law as they speak out on current issues facing our country.

Since 1954, legislation regarding the Internal Revenue Code has prevented pastors and other clergy from endorsing or supporting candidates for public office.

Basically, the code gives the IRS the right to take away the tax-exempt status of your church if your pastor speaks out on political issues.

Ironically, this silencing of our church leaders goes completely against the desires of our Founding Fathers!

Throughout the Revolutionary War, American pastors preached vehemently from their pulpits against the tyranny of Great Britain and of the desire for a new government.

Recently I sent you an email regarding a letter - that your pastor may have received from Americans United for Separation of Church and State - regarding the IRS code and the threat to your church if it were to be breached.

In direct response to my email, Americans United conceded that pastors do have the right to speak out on the moral and biblical issues of the day, even during election season.

To further clarify, the only thing pastors are prohibited from doing is endorsing or opposing candidates for public office (this prohibition does not apply to the pastor in their individual capacity).

Therefore, the distribution of non-partisan voter guides, the holding of political debates, and the preaching of moral issues are all allowed to take place within a church facility.

It has never been more important for pastors to understand that they have the right to speak out on current issues of the day and not face repercussions from the IRS.

This is a tremendously significant election season, with many of our religious freedoms at stake! You can make a difference just by forwarding this email to your friends and family.

Thank you for doing your part to give your pastor the free speech rights that every American deserves!

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