COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- A group of religious leaders in Ohio has complained to the Internal Revenue Service that two churches are campaigning for a conservative Republican.
In their complaint, the leaders, who include Protestant ministers and Jewish rabbis, say that the Fairfield Christian Church and the World Harvest Church, both in the Columbus area, have become involved in party politics, the New York Times reported. They cite allegations that church facilities have been used without charge for political events and that Democrats have not been invited to forums on political issues.
Specifically, the religious leaders say the churches are playing an active part in the campaign of J. Kenneth Blackwell for governor of Ohio.
In a letter, the group asks the IRS to investigate whether the churches' tax-free status should be withdrawn and Commissioner Mark W. Everson to ask for a court order that they cease their political activity.
Both churches say they are well aware of the law and have not violated it.
"We endorse values, but not candidates," Fairfield's pastor, the Rev. Russell Johnson, told the Times.
