“We urge pastors to exercise their First Amendment rights and speak out on candidates and what they say in light of the Scriptures from the pulpit,” he explained. “And we will defend them if the IRS comes after them.”

With the 2012 election campaign heating up, many pastors across America may have a lot to say about it.

But they can’t. They’ve been gagged by the Internal Revenue Service.

However, one of the country’s rising political stars is telling pastors they can talk about issues in the pulpit. They just can’t officially endorse or oppose political candidates.

“You never want to lead anyone to possibly believe that you on behalf of your church are endorsing a candidate,” Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said.

Cuccinelli explained that pastors could threaten their churches’ tax-exempt status because of IRS rules forbidding endorsements.

“If they’re going to set up tax structures like they have, they have some legal authority in our country to do that,” he said. “And I would certainly encourage you to stay away from those lines. Don’t get close to them.”

As the 2012 campaign gets underway, many pastors are torn about what they can say when it comes to politics.

“Pastors are prohibited from speaking out on their political preferences,” Dan Busby, president of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, said.

Busby helps ministries watch their finances to make sure everything is above board. His group often hears from pastors who worry if they speak out too forcefully on a political issue or about candidates, the IRS will yank their tax-exempt status.

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