NORTH CAROLINA, USA, February 3, 2002: As far back as the Revolutionary War, America’s religious leaders have taken to their pulpits to galvanize their followers on the political issues of the day, from taxation to slavery to abortion. But since 1954, when Senator Lyndon B. Johnson pushed a little-noticed law through Congress, ministers have been barred from preaching about political candidates. Under the law, churches are prohibited from endorsing or opposing candidates or risk being stripped of their tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. Nevertheless, the law is frequently flouted, and the I.R.S. rarely intervenes. Now religious conservatives are starting a campaign to remove the prohibition. The cause has been taken up by more than 12 religious conservative lobbying groups and is becoming a frequent topic on Christian talk shows on radio and television. Hindu temples in America should be aware that direct involvement in elections here could jeopardize their tax-exempt status.
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