Several religious leaders took to the pulpit recently in a move that simultaneously defied the law and threatened the separation of church and state. A group of 33 pastors openly endorsed political candidates last week while preaching, ignoring a federal law that bars tax-exempt religious institutions from endorsing political candidates. The law in question was created to ensure that nonprofit houses of worship do not become tax-exempt rallying points for political campaigns. The pastors have argued that they should be allowed to speak on any issue and maintain their tax-exempt status. They violated the law and have used religion as a shield. These pastors have committed a serious ethical breach by attempting to hide behind the Constitution while trying to advance their own political ambitions. Churches are not taxed and thus must not be allowed to become centers for political recruitment.

The logic that these pastors are using is faulty. Religious institutions are given tax exempt status because they are classified as nonprofits, organizations that benefit their communities while claiming no gains in return. Faith-based nonprofits are assumed to be religious charities that help their congregations. When religious leaders endorse political candidates, these places of worship cease to be charities and become government-funded
political recruiting centers.

The issue at hand is one of taxes. If religious leaders want to endorse certain candidates during services, they must pay taxes like interest groups and political campaigns. The freedoms of religion and speech do not guarantee one the right to become involved in politics while getting a free ride through the tax system. If these leaders choose to stump for politicians, then they should be treated like any other political body. Tax exemption is not a right, it is a privilege.  If they grant endorsements while holding services, then they must be willing to give up their tax-exempt status. If secular non-profits such as the American Legion or Rotary International chose to endorse a candidate, they would lose their statuses as nonprofits and be reclassified as political groups. Why should religious groups be treated differently?
Religious establishments are not given tax-exempt status because they are faith-based. They are not taxed because it is assumed that they provide charitable services that outweigh the benefits of taxing them.

Groups with a political agenda should not be tax-exempt. By preaching politics, these pastors have compromised their standing as service-providing nonprofits and have become instead political institutions that meet under the guise of faith. The government and the American people lose income when places of worship are not taxed. When pastors endorse a candidate and don’t pay taxes, we are footing the bill for what is essentially a part of that candidate’s campaign.

One’s voting habits are a personal matter, but these pastors crossed the line. If they had endorsed candidates through personal means and on their own time, there would be no problem. However, they granted endorsements from the pulpit and abused their churches’ privileges. Those privileges should be taken away. If these pastors want to play politics, they must pay for it.

Erich Hiner is a sophomore  studying journalism. Send him an e-mail at eh146106@ohiou.edu.