Opinion: Prevent religious electioneering

A Times Editorial

Prevent religious electioneering

Seventy percent of Americans believe churches should not endorse political candidates for public office, according to a new survey conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion in Public Life. This substantial majority represents an inherent understanding by most Americans that there should be a distinct separation of church and state.

It is an understanding many of our political leaders don't seem to have.

Angered by the limits placed on churches that wish to promote certain political candidates, Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., has introduced the "Houses of Worship Political Speech Protection Act." The bill would allow churches to engage in politicking while retaining their tax-exempt status.

Not surprisingly, this legislation was written by lawyers at the American Center for Law and Justice, Pat Robertson's legal arm, as an answer to the problem the Christian Coalition has been having in distributing its highly partisan voter guides in churches. Houses of worship have been warned that passing out the guides would jeopardize their tax-exempt status.

A bill like this normally wouldn't be much more than a cause for eye-rolling. But Jones' bill seems to have momentum. It has garnered 113 co-sponsors, including House Majority Leader Dick Armey and House Majority Whip Tom DeLay. The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to take it up for hearings as early as next month.

Religious leaders already are free to comment on political issues affecting their faith. Under current law, they may even use the pulpit to persuade their congregations to take sides on current events. What they cannot do, however, is become an extention of a candidate's campaign. They cannot endorse a particular candidate, nor can they use their collections to finance a campaign. If allowed to do so, as they would be under Jones' bill, houses of worship would be the only institutions in the country that could directly promote political campaigns with tax-exempt money. Imagine the disproportionate influence religious institutions would have within the political process if this bill were to pass.

Americans understand the value to our religious freedom and our peaceful coexistence that comes from the division of government and religion. Even highly religious Americans told the Pew Forum that they do not want their churches and synagogues electioneering. Congress should listen.