Group Claims Missouri Baptist Convention Endorsed Political Candidates In Violation of Tax Code

Americans United on Thursday filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service alleging that the Missouri Baptist Convention endorsed candidates in the Republican primary in violation of the Internal Revenue Code's ban on non-profit organizations intervening in political campaigns. (Press release.)  In its letter (full text) to the IRS, Americans United said:

In a May 2012 edition of The Pathway, the official publication of the Missouri Baptist Convention, MBC Director of Public Policy Don Hinkle endorsed two candidates for public office in the August Republican primary – U.S. Senate candidate Todd Akin and state attorney general candidate Ed Martin. 

The letter also pointed to a July 2012 article in the same publication listing over 100 Missouri Baptist clergy who endorsed Aikin.