CHURCHES FEAR POLITICAL ROLE CATCHES IRS' EYE.(RELIGION)

Byline: LAURIE GOODSTEIN Washington Post

American churches have waded into politics ever since colonial ministers exhorted their flocks to revolt against King George III. But these days they're feeling the IRS breathing down their necks.

With churches increasingly stepping into the political fray -- especially in this presidential-election season -- a few recent cases, including one in which a New York church was stripped of its tax-exempt status by the IRS, are creating real concern among church leaders.

``I would say that about 25 percent of churches in America are scared to be activated. They just don't want to be hassled by the IRS,'' said the …