I dropped this note into the collection basket at my Mom's church today...

[MrsSmith]

The Constitution imposes limits on what the Government can do about involvement with churches, thinking that it instead limits what can or cannot be said in church about government or nearly anything else reflects a total misunderstanding of its nature.

Yep, the limits on speech were imposed by the IRS.  Double tax any pastor that dares mention a candidate on the private land owned by his church. 

[Chris_]

The Constitution imposes limits on what the Government can do about involvement with churches, thinking that it instead limits what can or cannot be said in church about government or nearly anything else reflects a total misunderstanding of its nature.

Yep, the limits on speech were imposed by the IRS.  Double tax any pastor that dares mention a candidate on the private land owned by his church. 

No, just tax them like anyone else.  Once a church becomes political on either side of the aisle it loses its tax exemption. 

[Chris_]

The Constitution imposes limits on what the Government can do about involvement with churches, thinking that it instead limits what can or cannot be said in church about government or nearly anything else reflects a total misunderstanding of its nature.

The USC is silent on whether churches should be taxed or not. Whether any citizen or organization should be allowed to speak on any and all subjects is an absolute right. Whether such speech should be subsidized is a different question.

[Peter3_1]

Tanker, correct indeed. There is a tax exemption that can be REVOKED, as can any tax exemption, for specfic reasons.  In this case, the exemption can be revoked for directly supporting a political party or candidate. We give them "corperate welfare" in return for restraint in entering the political arene. Perfect sense.