Should Religious Leaders be Able to Endorse Political Candidates?

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Religious leaders can endorse candidates as private citizens, but they should not be permitted to use tax-exempt church resources or the pulpit to do so. Tax exemption is extended to organizations for religious, charitable and educational work -- not for political organizing. If a church wants to be partisan, it can surrender its tax exemption.

Tax exemption is not a constitutional right. It is not even mentioned in the Constitution. It is a benefit and as such it comes with conditions. One of those conditions is a ban on partisan politicking. Most non-profits have no problem abiding by this rule, and houses of worship should as well.

Americans attend houses of worship for spiritual reasons, not political ones. Increasingly, Americans are telling pollsters they do not support politicized pulpits. One recent poll found that 75 percent of Americans do not believe “it is appropriate for churches to publicly endorse candidates for public office.” In addition, 85 percent think it is not “appropriate for churches to use their resources to campaign for candidates for public office.” Eighty-seven percent do not “believe it is appropriate for pastors to publicly endorse candidates for public office during a church service.”

Churches should stick to administering to the spiritual needs of the people and leave the politicking to the political action committees.