UCC Cleared By IRS In Complaint About Obama Speech At Synod

In a determination letter issued May 13 (full text) the Internal Revenue Service cleared the United Church of Christ of charges that it improperly engaged in partican political activity when Barak Obama spoke at the church's June 2007 General Synod. (See prior posting.) A UCC news release yesterday summarized the IRS findings. Obama was invited to address the Synod well before he announced his candidacy and he was invited to speak on how his personal faith impacted his public life. UCC told those attending that Obama was not there as a candidate for office. IRS also concluded that tables set up by Obama volunteers near the Synod were not authorized by UCC and were on public sidewalks outside of UCC's control.