[The Great RJ]

Having been a lobbyist I know the difference between overt political influencing and simply sermonizing. While it is OK to talk about issues in the pulpit from a religious perspective, a church hosting a partisan campaign rally or openly campaigning for or against candidates is not permissible. This is true for all 501(c)(3) tax exempt non profits whether they are churches or other organizations.

This part of the tax exempt code is for CHARITIES and the organization must be doing some kind of charitable work to qualify ...hence donations made to 501(c)(3) organizations are deductible from personal income tax.

Note there are some other tax exempt organizations that CAN legally lobby particularly those approved under 501(c)(6)...for example industry trade associations. If an organization wants to lobby and remain exempt from federal income tax they can, but donations to that organization are not tax deductible.

[thulldud]

a church hosting a partisan campaign rally or openly campaigning for or against candidates is not permissible. This is true for all 501(c)(3) tax exempt non profits whether they are churches or other organizations.

Of course, we have seen in recent years that some animals are more equal than others. Bubba, Jesse, Al, and that ilk routinely held what can only be called partisan campaign rallies in ostensible houses of worship.

As long as the "right" people benefit, the practice will continue.

[TheCrusader]

"While it is OK to talk about issues in the pulpit from a religious perspective, a church hosting a partisan campaign rally or openly campaigning for or against candidates is not permissible"

Frankly I hope they do revoke the Church's tax free status, because then the Church would be free from the corrupt influence and pressure that the government exerts on it to remain silent on issues that affect not only our lives, but our souls. The Church would feel free again to speak its mind about evil, something that exists everywhere, even in the IRS.