Posted on 10/04/2004 6:11:50 AM PDT by kattracks
(CNSNews.com) - Is it legal for churches to pray for the re-election of President George W. Bush during their services?The Christian Defense Coalition says it is seeking "clarification" from the Internal Revenue Service, before coalition members launch a two-week prayer tour in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
"As Christians, we are praying that God grant President Bush four more years because of his support for the sanctity of human life, his strong commitment to the protection of traditional marriage and his stance on religious freedom and liberty in the public square," said the Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition.
"It is clear that the public policies of the president are more in line with historic Christianity then those of Senator Kerry. It is our hope that the IRS will not crush religious freedom by attempting to censor and control how churches feel compelled to pray," Mahoney said in a press release.
The American Center for Law and Justice has written to the IRS on behalf of the Christian Defense Coalition, explaining that Mahoney plans to "offer prayer during the evening services in the churches he visits that God grants President Bush four more years as president and that Sen. Kerry does not become president."
Americans United for Separation of Church and States, a group that monitors politics from the pulpit, says churches, like all tax-exempt organizations, "absolutely prohibited from supporting or opposing candidates for elected public office."
Americans United says churches that support or oppose a candidate may face an IRS audit, fines and loss of tax-exempt status.
Isn't the IRS bound by these clarification letters these days? This could get interesting.
Anything it wants to do! The real problem is that nearly all churches lack faith. Instead of saying whatever needs to be said, churches remain silent just to protect their tax-exempt status.
"Render to Caesar"? No way. We'd much rather keep quiet and worship The Almighty (Dollar)!
BTTT
Let the IRS clarify!
This is the typical double standard. Of course, the ACLU would never take the conservative side.
What I want to know is why Islamic mosques are given tax exempt status while their "Moo-Lahs" are preaching murder and overthrow of the government? How can we put up with this sh*t when Christian churches aren't even allowed to state a preference in a political race?
I agree.
This has really bothered me especially in the past few days when I see Kerry in these black churches. The dems get a free pass and we have to "ask" if we can pray?
Puleeze!
Why do these churches any more need to ask that question than the liberal Democrat black churches which continually provide a forum to leftist Dems??
How about the "Reverend" Jackson and "Reverend" Sharpeton??
Not this time.
They'll have to say yay or nay on it. Either way they lose.
Why not pray for Bush and Kerry. For Bush that he continue his work and for Kerry that God change his heart.
I think it's just a ploy to put the irs into a "have you quit beating your wife, answer yes or no" situation. Going nowhere, IMO.
snicker...
That definitely sounds like a good point to me.
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