Do disrespect intended, sir; but I must ask: Are you saying that you can publicly endorse or speak out against a candidate or speak for/against a bill from the pulpit of your church and maintain your church’s tax-exempt status?
Yes, I have done so back last election when a group of pastors vowed to do so.
And, you might not have known it, but every employee of a church pays taxes.
The church’s so-called “tax exemption” is about the donations of our givers being tax deductible. It is not about the offerings received by a church being taxable. There is no court that would be willing to suggest taxing offerings, since that would violate the first amendment provision of separation and free exercise.
First, even if a member finds his donations no longer tax deductible, there would in most cases be no injury, for many people don’t have enough deductions to exceed the automatic deduction level.
So, this desire to tax churches simply will bear little fruit. I’ve pinged some lawyers in case they wish to comment.