Posted on 10/13/2004 3:39:37 PM PDT by jebanks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Miami Church Violated Federal Tax Law With Pro-Kerry Rally, Says Americans United Wednesday October 13, 2004 Watchdog Group Asks IRS To Investigate Partisan Activities At Florida Congregation CONTACT
Press: Joseph Conn, Rob Boston, or Jeremy Leaming 202-466-3234 telephone 202-466-2587 fax http://www.au.org/
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MIAMI CHURCH VIOLATED FEDERAL TAX LAW WITH PRO-KERRY RALLY, SAYS AMERICANS UNITED
Watchdog Group Asks IRS To Investigate Partisan Activities At Florida Congregation
A Miami church that hosted a rally on behalf of Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kerry Oct. 10 should be investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Americans United today asked the IRS to investigate the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, which hosted a Sunday service that became a rally featuring speeches by Kerry, former Democratic presidential candidate Al Sharpton and other prominent Democrats.
During the service, the church's pastor, the Rev. Gaston E. Smith, introduced Kerry as "the next president of the United States" and told the crowd, "To bring our country out of despair, despondency and disgust, God has a John Kerry."
Sharpton also praised Kerry and attacked President George W. Bush. He criticized the Florida recount of 2000, promising that voters in the state would deliver a "big payback" to the president on Nov. 2.
Americans United Executive Director Barry W. Lynn said the church-based partisan rally seems to be a clear violation of federal tax law that bars houses of worship and other 501(c)(3) tax-exempt groups from intervening in political campaigns.
"Federal tax law is clear on this matter," Lynn said. "Houses of worship may not endorse candidates for public office, and they certainly may not host huge partisan rallies. This was way over the top."
Concluded Lynn, "I urge the IRS to investigate this church's activities. Americans need to know that federal law will be enforced."
In his letter to the IRS, Lynn noted that the rally at Friendship Missionary Baptist was widely covered in the media and that one news service even noted that Smith's endorsement of Kerry was problematic.
"This appears to have been a clear case of a church hosting a partisan political rally," Lynn wrote to the tax agency. "I believe the obvious aim of this event was to endorse Kerry's candidacy and spur congregants to vote for him. As such, the church has run afoul of federal tax law."
Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in the safeguarding religious freedom.
It is about time.
Don't these guys know that it's okay if Demonrats use churches but not Republicans?
it doesn't matter, it was a dem rally. Law wasn't meant to crack down on rallies for dems.
I think we need to be careful not to contradict ourselves. We defend churches on our side who are political. We should denounce Barry Lynn's tactics regardless of who he is intimidating.
churches arent allowed to endorce candidates unless theyre democraps, then its ok
I hate to see the IRS getting into regulating what goes on inside churches-you know who will get shafted in the long run. It won't be a stretch before they start trying to regulate doctrine and teachings-gay marriage, abortion, etc.
Well, well. Ah, an "Americans United" press release. Gosh, the AP hasn't picked up on this. I wonder why... not.
I think Hell just froze over.
Mark my words.
Take away tax exempt status from all churches!
It only leads to corruption. The freedom to speak plainly and clearly on how they believe should be the only measure.
Under the law, organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that are exempt from federal income tax are prohibited from directly or indirectly participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office. Charities, educational institutions and religious organizations, including churches, are among those that are tax-exempt under this code section.
If they broke the law then they should be held accountable; no matter whose church it is.
Either this is fake or Barry Lynn is a fervent Hitlery fan. I am always shocked and skeptical when liberal turns on liberal.
Interesting analysis. Don't you think that we need to defend the church regardless of who they are supporting?
But they get away with because politics IS their religion.
Or so unRev. Jackson claimed when questioned about it in 2000.
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