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Pastor As Chicago Mayoral Candidate Must Deal With IRS Rules

By Howard M. Friedman

Today's Chicago Tribune reports on the Internal Revenue Code tightrope being walked by Rev. James T. Meeks who is pastor of Salem Baptist Church and preaches every Sunday at the 10,000 seat House of Hope arena.  Meeks is now also a candidate for mayor of Chicago.  The Internal Revenue Code bars churches and other non-profits from supporting candidates in political elections. (Background.) Meeks regularly-- beginning long before he became a candidate-- preaches about problems in the city such as poor garbage pick up and under-performing public schools. He also tells his congregants that they have a duty to support candidates that are guided by Christian values. Criticizing the IRS rules, Meeks asks why he can take money from all sorts of special interests, but not from a church. He asks, "If homosexuals can endorse a candidate, why can't a church?"

Full post as published by Religion Clause on December 11, 2010 (boomark / email).