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Tue 8 Nov, 2005 11:14 am
The IRS threat to revoke the tax-exempt status of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena because of an antiwar sermon there during the 2004 presidential election is part of a larger, controversial federal investigation of political activity at churches and nonprofit groups.
However, the IRS action has triggered an unusual coalition of critics who say they are concerned about the effect on freedom of speech and religion.
When Ted Haggard, head of the 30-million-member National Assn. of Evangelicals, heard about the All Saints case Monday, he told his staff to contact the National Council of Churches, a more liberal group.
When elections near, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles sometimes sends reminders to local parishes of its guidelines on political action. "We don't endorse or oppose candidates, but we can endorse ballot propositions when there is a moral or ethical issue involved," said archdiocese spokesman Tod Tamberg, who knew of no local Catholic churches under IRS scrutiny.
This weekend, during Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Archbishop Roger Mahony endorsed Proposition 73, the state ballot initiative requiring parental notification before an abortion can be performed on a minor.
The Rev. William Turner, senior pastor at New Revelations Missionary Baptist Church in Pasadena, said he has never been questioned by the IRS about political activity at his church, despite his reputation as a supporter of President Bush. "We tell our members to vote their conscience," Turner said. "I've been very careful to preach the Gospel, and I can't get into any problems with the IRS for preaching the Gospel."
So ok the bottom line is that churches be they conservative or liberal are political no matter how they parse their messages. I opine that all churches lose their IRS exceptions and are audited just like any other organization. Let them spew their politics with whatever wind they like but tax them for what they are. Render unto ceasar.
Re: IRS unites left and right, both wrong.
dyslexia wrote: So ok the bottom line is that churches be they conservative or liberal are political no matter how they parse their messages. I opine that all churches lose their IRS exceptions and are audited just like any other organization. Let them spew their politics with whatever wind they like but tax them for what they are. Render unto ceasar.
I agree. And the same standard should be applied to every other tax exempt organization too. Educational establishments, political groups, "Foundations", museums, Unions, etc.. should all be taxed just like any non-exempt business is.
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