18. May religious organizations become involved in voter education? Yes. Religious organizations may educate voters about the issues and about candidates’ positions on the issues. However, voter education activities must be free from bias for or against any candidate or political party.31 19. May religious organizations publish or distribute voter guides? Yes. Religious organizations may […]
During every election cycle, many religious congregations find themselves wondering what role, if any, they can play in the political process. Can a minister, rabbi, imam or other member of the clergy endorse a candidate from the pulpit or speak on political issues of interest to voters? Is a church or other house of worship […]
30. What are the penalties if a religious organization violates the political campaign intervention prohibition? Unlike lobbying by a religious organization, which is limited but not prohibited, political campaign intervention by a religious organization is strictly prohibited.59 Thus, the organization’s 501(c)(3) tax exemption may be revoked if it engages in any prohibited activity. This means […]
1. Where do the restrictions on religious organizations’ participation in the political process come from? The Internal Revenue Code prohibits intervention in political campaigns by organizations that are exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3),1 including religious organizations. The restrictions are one of the conditions of maintaining tax-exempt status. Although other restrictions – including […]
Washington, D.C. In the Hein v. Freedom From Religion Foundation decision in June 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court made it more difficult for courts to enforce the Establishment Clause’s restrictions on government funding of religion. In Hein, the high court ruled that unless a legislative body has specifically directed funding to a religious organization or […]
Reynolds v. United States (1879) Upheld the successful criminal prosecution of a prominent Mormon for practicing bigamy in Utah. Cantwell v. Connecticut (1940) In overturning a conviction for disturbing the peace, held that the Free Exercise Clause applies to state as well as federal actions. Minersville School District v. Gobitis (1940) Ruled that the Free […]
Expansion and Contraction of Free Exercise Rights Early in the tenure of Chief Justice Warren Burger, who was appointed to lead the Supreme Court in 1969, the court issued a decision that dramatically reinforced the principles laid down in Sherbert. The case, Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972), involved a challenge by members of the Old Order […]