I'm also aware that I am unable to say certain things legally.  Particularly, my freedom to discuss political issues is curtailed by the Internal Revenue Service.  But that's somewhat inaccurate.  Rather, in exchange for favorable tax-exempt status, many Christian congregations agree to gag themselves on political issues.  In exchange for saving some dough many congregations voluntarily limit what they can and can't talk about.

I wasn't familiar with the history of this situation, so I found this article by Chuck Colson to be interesting (and as with many sites I link to for the purpose of discussing something, I don't necessarily support or endorse anything else you may see on that web site when you click on the link.  I'm concerned only with the actual contents of the article itself).  

I disagree with this arrangement.  I find it surprising that such a pervasive change in the life of our religious institutions (and other non-profits) could be instituted with so little fanfare, and persist so long.  Frankly, it's my opinion that congregations ought to give up their tax-exempt status if need be in order to ensure that they are free to exercise their First Amendment rights to the fullest.  However, I'm more in favor of returning to the status quo prior to 1954, when non-profits could speak out freely and still receive the tax-exempt status indicative of the valuable service they provide to their communities and nation.  I hope that this provision is eliminated from the tax code.