Politicking from the Pulpit

Politicking from the Pulpit: An Analysis of the IRS’S Current Section 501(c)(3) Enforcement Efforts and How it is Costing America is a recent paper that tackles the issue of non-profit organizations funding and backing political candidates. According to the IRS, “Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office.” Although the stakes are high when a non-profit threatens its coveted tax status, there is a long history of abuse and enforcement of these rules.

After bringing readers up to speed on the history of the lack of separation of church and state in the past, the paper discusses current enforcement practices as well as their successes, failures, and costs. Finally, an alternative solution to current enforcement woes is presented in detail. Can church and state ever really be separated when it comes to politics and money?

Learn more: our summary (with a link to the full paper)