As churches increasingly use the Internet to spread their message, the Internal Revenue Service has created new guidelines to explain that such communication will be treated the same as print material or broadcast sermons, reports The New York Times.

The primary concern is that sermons may cross into politics, which could threaten a church’s charitable tax status, the newspaper says.

“Webcasting” — which can include video of sermons on YouTube or recorded for a church’s Web site — is more public and accessible by watchdog groups, which can file complaints with the IRS if they believe a church has expressed support or opposition to candidates for public office.

For example, the charitable tax status of a ministry overseen by Bill Keller, a televangelist who said earlier this year on his Web site that a vote for Mitt Romney was “a vote for Satan,” is now being reviewed by the IRS after a blogger complained about the comment.

“What we are learning is that you can preach to the choir and say anything you want to people who think just like you do,” said Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, an author and blogger, “or you can preach to the world and accept certain limits.”

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