WASHINGTON (RNS) Most Americans who file income tax returns won't be affected by proposed changes in how charitable contributions are deducted, but that hasn't stopped charitable groups from lobbying Congress to fight any change in deductions as part of the "fiscal cliff'' negotiations. By Jackie Kucinich / USA Today.

(RNS) Trying to make sense of the 2012 election and the unfolding David Petraeus sex scandal, I consulted the Bible and the “Sayings of the Fathers,” a collection of rabbinic teachings written between 200 B.C. and 200 A.D. The ancient perceptions about politics and ethics are as insightful today as when they were first uttered. By A.James Rudin. 

(RNS) A First Amendment watchdog group is suing the Internal Revenue Service for not challenging the tax-exempt status of churches whose pastors engage in partisan politicking from the pulpit. By Kimberly Winston.

(RNS) A public watchdog group is charging the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops with openly politicking on behalf of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and wants the Internal Revenue Service to explore revoking the hierarchy’s tax-exempt status. By David Gibson.

LOS ANGELES (RNS) In a matter of days, some 1,400 American pastors are planning to break the law by endorsing a political candidate. And they’re likely to get away with it. By Lilly Fowler.

ST. LOUIS (RNS) A church-state watchdog group in Washington has filed a complaint with the IRS accusing the Missouri Baptist Convention of violating federal tax law by intervening in two campaigns for public office, including Rep. Todd Akin's controversial Senate campaign. By Tim Townsend.

(RNS) The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a national Muslim civil rights group that has frequently drawn fire from conservatives, has regained its tax-exempt status. By Bob Smietana.