IRS SUSPENDS ‘POLITICIZED’ CHURCH TAX AUDITS UNTIL NEW REGULATIONS ARE FINALIZED

[PatSeg]

I posted this in another thread and someone recommended that it be its own thread. I had no idea this was going on.

The ongoing drama between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and American churches over government regulations and tax exempt, 501(c)(3) status forges on. Earlier this month, pastors came together for “Pulpit Freedom Sunday,” an effort to challenge current tax regulations that forbid them from explicitly endorsing candidates from the pulpit.

While the faith leaders aren’t looking to become hubs of political activism, they partake in the annual event to argue that the government shouldn’t be controlling — or curtailing — pastoral messaging. The goal of the project is to incite the IRS to investigate (participating pastors mail videos of their politicized sermons to the IRS) churches on these grounds so that the “Johnson Amendment,” which hampers church’s rights to endorse candidates, can be challenged in court.

Interestingly, just weeks after 1,000 pastors participated in the effort, the IRS has temporarily suspended church audits while amendments to the regulatory structure are considered. On his blog “Religion Clause, Howard Friedman, professor of law emeritus at the University of Toledo, explained this change, which is apparently based upon a 2009 court case — and an influx of complaints against churches that have become too politically active:

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/irs-suspends-politicized-church-tax-audits-until-new-regulations-are-finalized/


RELIGIOUS LEADERS NATIONWIDE DEFY THE IRS TO ENDORSE POLITICAL CANDIDATES ON ‘PULPIT FREEDOM SUNDAY’

Today, more than 1,000 religious leaders all across the country are acting in defiance of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and endorsing political candidates from the pulpit. In 1954 the tax code was amended to say that tax-exempt organizations– like churches– are prohibited from making political endorsements, but many are apparently done being silent.

The issue has people torn for several reasons. Even if they don’t appreciate the IRS controlling religious speech, many are grateful for the break from politics that church provides. Some say, depending on their political views, that they’re simply uninterested in hearing a politically-charged sermon on universal healthcare, or that they don’t want their religious leaders telling them how to vote. Others say it’s a violation of our religious liberties for pastors not to be able to speak on the pressing matters of the day.

“Every pastor and every church has the right to decide what their pastor preaches from the pulpit and to not have that dictated to them by the IRS,” said Erik Stanley, senior legal counsel for the Arizona-based Alliance Defending Freedom, formerly the Alliance Defense Fund.

[LiberalFighter]

1. We need a list of all the churches and their clergy that violate it.

[richmwill]

2. I say fine, they can preach as they wish. As long as they don't mind losing tax-exempt status. (n/t)

[PatSeg]

5. I agree

I wonder how many churches are losing members because of the politicizing of the pulpit. Are they laying the groundwork for their own demise?

[AsahinaKimi]

16. This! Very much!!

Let them Lose their tax-exempt status.. I am totally for that!

[patrice]

3. They can preach whatever they want as long as they pay their own way. I'm paying for their streets &

water & other municipal and state services and whatever other holes in state/fed budgets that are created by donations & "charity" write-offs.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

4. I was a member of a Unitarian Universalist church during the W Debacle (2001-2009)

Our ministers were scared to talk openly about politics from the pulpit.

Being a liberal congregation and given W's love of selective prosecution, it was a well founded fear.

[PatSeg]

6. Some people know how to play by the rules

AND then there are others who for some reason don't think the rules apply to them! We know who they are.

[safeinOhio]

9. My UU church has no preacher and

we have no sermons. I'd be shocked to find any member voting for a bishop.

[Wellstone ruled]

7. L.B.J. started this freak show.

Now we have the unforeseen results of a person whom had his personal interests only.

[PatSeg]

8. What did he do?

I'm not familiar with LBJ's relationship with organized religion.

[libodem]

10. Fast work

Glad you posted this! Thank you, much.

[PatSeg]

13. You're welcome

Thanks for suggesting it.

[libodem]

11. When Bush was in they harrassed a church

For preaching "Peace on Earth" as an anti-war message. They were threatened. This is far more blatant influence peddling.

[PatSeg]

14. Seriously???

I didn't hear that one. What a bunch of hypocrites republicans are!

[libodem]

15. It was back in the DU 2 days of Bush

It was an article. Most of the conservative churches had gone full tilt rampant Nationalism and fully backed God being on our side. So there was mostly talking up the war from the pulpit and when that was complained about, the Bush administration went out looking threaten opposition.

[BlueMan Votes]

12. The IRS isn't telling them what they can or cannot say-

it's just that if they decide they want to preach politics, which they are totally free to do- they'll have to pay taxes, just like everyone else.

[upi402]

17. End the charade. Tax the false prophets, turn the moneylenders' tables

They are our very own Taliban.