Opinion: If churches want to preach about politics, fine — but they should pay taxes

To the editor: The article fails to mention an incredibly important fact with regard to churches and their right to preach politics from the pulpit. (“Religious leaders question why Republican tax plan would allow churches to endorse candidates,” Dec. 12)

Christian preachers are not prohibited from endorsing candidates or supporting political issues. They are free to say whatever they wish from the pulpit.

But if they want to jump into the political fray, they simply can’t continue to maintain their tax-free status. That’s the issue.

Churches do not pay taxes on the money they raise, and in exchange, they don’t preach politics. It’s a deal they made decades ago with taxpayers. If Christian churches would like to become political, they can give up their tax-free status.

Of course, that would cost them a lot of money. They want to have their cake and eat it too — and they want taxpayers to subsidize them while they’re eating the biggest slices.

Cheryl Holt, Burbank

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook