Churches and Politics

The heat of the 2004 presidential election has died down, but for many churches the aftermath of an election rooted in moral and theological issues is still taking its toll. The IRS has announced that it’s investigating approximately 20 churches for possible violations of the codes that grant them tax exemption as non-profit organizations — codes that restrict non-profits from endorsing specific candidates. What should be the role of churches in the political process? And is free speech restricted when church leaders can’t speak out on political issues for fear of financial reprisals? Host Melinda Penkava talks with Melissa Rogers, professor of religion and public policy at the Wake Forest Divinity School; Richard Schmalbeck, professor of law at Duke University; and Robert Wineburg, professor of social work at UNC-Greensboro. Listener Call-In. (59:00) d

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