Frank Page on Endorsing Political Candidates

Reuters has published a story about "Baptists to Stay in the Political Arena" with a quote from SBC President Frank Page that appears to give qualified support for churches endorsing political candidates. Page is quoted as having said:

He took issue with those who said that evangelicals should back out of politics.

"I disagree with that. I do believe evangelicals need to continue to be involved in the political sphere primarily in speaking to issues rather than endorsing political candidates, though sometimes that is going to happen," he said.

Page is right about evangelicals having a place in the political process. He's also right about the need for evangelicals to speak about issues. He's dead wrong, however, if he thinks that it is legal for tax-exempt churches to endorse political candidates "sometimes."

There is a way for your church to legally endorse political candidates.

Give up your tax exempt status and compete on an equal basis with all the other political organizations in America. If you want donations to your church to qualify as charitable contributions, then abide by the law.

It's that simple.