The Interfaith Alliance of Hawaii has passed out hundreds of election-season pamphlets to candidates and clergy around O'ahu outlining IRS rules to keep faith from mixing with politics.

The pamphlets, "Religion & Politics: Running for Office in a Multi-faith Nation" and "Religion & Politics: A Campaign Season Guide for Houses of Worship" spell out that while it's OK to encourage people to vote or list how candidates stand on certain issues, it's not acceptable to advocate for a particular candidate or outcome. They also encourage leaders to be sure that if one candidate has a chance to address the congregation or gain access to the church directory, the opposing candidate has the same opportunity.

The 600 guides — out of about 20,000 distributed nationwide — are part of a push to keep churches from wading into the political arena in ways that might endanger their tax-exemption status.

Last June, the Internal Revenue Service issued a reminder that churches must avoid politicking, noting it has seen a disturbing trend. The IRS added it would check into "specific, credible allegations of wrongdoing."

IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson was quoted as saying that while most houses of worship don't overstep lines, "an increasing number did take part in prohibited activities in the 2004 election cycle."

The New York Times reported in September that of the 110 cases of tax-exempt cases the IRS investigated after the 2004 elections, nearly half were churches. Of these, 37 of 40 cases the IRS completed against the churches showed violations of the law. However, those churches mostly were met with warnings or were charged an excise tax. None lost their tax-exemption status.

This year's push by the local affiliate of the nonpartisan Interfaith Alliance seems to be a preventive measure. "It hasn't come to our attention that anyone is actively violating the rules," said Jo-Anna Nakata, a board member of the alliance.

Encouraging people of faith to participate in the election process is acceptable, "but there's a right way and a wrong way," she added.

"If you cross a line that the IRS has laid out, it could conceivably threaten your house-of-worship tax-exempt status."

What are potential trouble areas? Nakata gave the example of an incumbent who opens the new wing of your temple during an election year. If the incumbent speaks, and he or she seeks congregants' votes, the establishment needs to offer the same opportunity to the challenger.

Nakata recommends getting a signed release saying the incumbent won't campaign; getting a copy of written notes to make sure; and videotaping the event, to prove you're covered if someone takes issue later.

What about the big issue?

"Religious leaders can endorse as private individuals, but not from the pulpit or bimah. ... You can talk about an issue in your pulpit or publication, but can't endorse," she said.

And if someone crosses the line?

"It's a matter of conscience," Nakata said. That means congregants can talk to the faith leader involved, bring it up with the leadership or, if all else fails, report it to the IRS.