A surprise move by the IRS that would allow pastors to back political candidates from the pulpit without losing their organization's tax-exempt status is drawing praise from conservatives and even some progressive religious groups but concern from other leaders of faith,

In court filings July 7, the IRS has largely backed down on a decades-old rule that barred churches from engaging in political activity.

The IRS said in a court filing that churches whose pastors endorse political candidates from the pulpit shouldn't lose their tax-exempt status.