Fifth Street Baptist Church In Richmond May Have Violated Federal Tax Law With Moran Appearance And Endorsement, Watchdog Group Says
Americans United for Separation of Church and State has asked the Internal Revenue Service to investigate a Richmond church that endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian Moran during June 7 services.
Moran visited and spoke at the Fifth Street Baptist Church, where he was endorsed by its pastor, the Rev. F. Todd Gray. Gray advised his flock that he plans to vote for Moran, reported The Washington Post.
Gray told the congregation, “Brian is right on guns. He’s right on affirmative action. He’s right on taxes. He’s right on jobs. I’m not telling you who to vote for. I’m just telling you who I’m voting for. I’m voting for Brian Moran.”
Under federal tax law, 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, including houses of worship, may not endorse or oppose candidates for public office. The IRS says candidates may appear in houses of worship during election season under certain conditions but makes it clear that church endorsements are not permitted.
“A church service is not a political rally, and church officials should not act as though it is,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “This church appears to have stepped over the line, and the IRS should investigate immediately.”
In a letter to the IRS today, Lynn pointed out that the church endorsement came just two days before the Virginia Democratic primary. Lynn asserted that it is clear that Gray hoped to influence the outcome of the election by mobilizing votes for Moran.
“When the church invites one candidate to speak from its pulpit on the Sunday before the election and that candidate is then endorsed by the church’s top official, the non-partisan character of the institution has been compromised,” observed Lynn’s letter to the IRS.
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