Billy Graham Group, Catholic Bishops Come Under Scrutiny For Blurring Election Lines [1]

Reuters  |  Posted: 11/12/2012 5:24 pm EST Via Huffington Post

By Mary Wisniewski

CHICAGO, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Political watchdog and secularist groups are asking the U.S. government to investigate whether Catholic bishops and a Christian evangelical group headed by preacher Billy Graham should lose tax breaks for telling followers how to vote in this year's election.

Under constitutional protections of free speech and separation of church and state, churches are free to speak on any issue. But they risk losing tax breaks worth $145 billion in the past decade if they violate Internal Revenue Service rules by promoting or opposing any particular candidate. Other non-profits also have special tax status.

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