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In 2005, the IRS launched an investigation of a sermon preached at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California prior to the 2004 presidential election. The sermon criticized the Iraq war and was structured as a debate between John Kerry and George W. Bush, moderated by Jesus. In September 2007, the IRS closed its investigation. It determined that the sermon was a one-time political campaign intervention, but it did not revoke the church's tax-exempt status. All Saints demanded a clarification and an apology, but so far the IRS has not responded. In this interview, All Saints Rector Ed Bacon says churches must speak out on political issues, even if that can be polarizing.

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Kim Lawton Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly managing editor Kim Lawton is featured this week on the PBS Engage Web site, where you can post questions to her about religion, politics, and coverage of Campaign 2008. Click here to visit the site.

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On July 3, John McCain delivered a video address to the National Right to Life Committee's convention in Arlington, Virginia. In these excerpts, he speaks about his unwavering position on pro-life issues and the "duty of our national leaders to protect human life." This past April, the pro-life organization's political action committee endorsed McCain because of his voting record on abortion. (Video courtesy of the John McCain campaign)

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RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY managing editor Kim Lawton describes how conservative evangelical leaders are finally beginning to throw their support behind John McCain, even though they don't like everything about him.

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RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY managing editor Kim Lawton discusses the growing concern among social conservatives that Barack Obama's "God-talk" is distracting voters from focusing on his liberal policy positions.

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Pepperdine University Professor of Constitutional Law Douglas Kmiec, a well-known opponent of abortion, shocked his fellow Roman Catholics when he announced his endorsement of Barack Obama. Because of that endorsement, a priest denied Kmiec communion. Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony said the denial was "indefensible." Kmiec describes his feelings about the incident and says it was a "teachable moment." Also, he says it's appropriate to examine how a candidate's religious beliefs affect his or her politics.

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Georgetown University Professor of Government Clyde Wilcox talks about the inevitable links between religion and politics.  He says clergy who endorse candidates open their lives and their views to political scrutiny.  But he argues that candidates and their congregations deserve a right to privacy for personal worship.

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Rev. C. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance discusses why religion can be so controversial in the context of a campaign. He says there are dangerous consequences when religion gets too political.

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In a July 1 speech at the East Side Community Ministry in Zanesville, Ohio, Barack Obama announced his plans for a new Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships that would offer wider government support to religiously-run social service programs.

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The Democratic National Convention will be held in Denver, Colorado, August 25-28, 2008. RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY managing editor Kim Lawton visited Denver and spoke with Democratic officials about the ways they will be incorporating religion in the convention and in the party's campaign outreach leading to November.

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