March 10, 2006, The Wall Street Journal
In response to this scourge, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty — a Washington, D.C., public-interest law firm representing all faiths — has sent to every house of worship they could find a letter promising to defend these institutions (free of charge) if they are targeted by the IRS for political speech.
So far the agency has issued letters of reprimand rather than actual fines, an indication, perhaps, that even tax officials aren’t sure about this little-explored corner of tax law. In fact, the letters are usually enough. Most churches will be easily intimidated, not having the resources to drag the IRS into court. But now, with the help of the Becket Fund, they can.