Posted on 10/27/2004 10:50:56 PM PDT by hope
This is a WorldNetDaily printer-friendly version of the article which follows.
Thursday, October 28, 2004
TESTING THE FAITH Posted: October 28, 2004 1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Ron Strom In a letter of clarification requested by a traveling minister, the Internal Revenue Service has declared people gathered in tax-exempt churches can't pray for President Bush to win the election on Tuesday.
The ruling comes in response to a request by the Christian Defense Coalition, which is in the midst of a 15-day prayer tour through Ohio and Pennsylvania. The Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the organization, had planned to lead in prayer for a Bush victory during evening services in each town. Though he had hoped to hold the services in churches, Mahoney says he has used American Legion halls, hotels and other venues pending a clarification from the IRS.
The American Center for Law and Justice wrote the letter to the IRS on behalf of the Mahoney's group, explaining that the pastor planned to "offer prayer during the evening services in the churches he visits that God grants President Bush four more years as president and that Senator Kerry does not become president."
"This is rank censorship," Mahoney told WND. "If churches felt compelled to pray for Senator Kerry, they should be able to do that, too.
"Now we have the IRS not only limiting what can said behind a pulpit in terms of electioneering, but churches aren't even allowed to pray the dictates of their consciences."
Mahoney said he would consider legal action against the IRS, saying churches that had considered hosting the tour were unable to do so. He also said he considers his First Amendment rights to have been violated.
Reaction to the IRS ruling, Mahoney predicts, will include "massive anger" in the Christian community.
"Our organization, along with the American Center for Law and Justice, is going to make this a major issue," he said.
Mahoney considers the ruling a "much greater leap into censorship" than the prohibition on endorsing candidates from church pulpits.
"You hear people talk about the separation of church and state," he said. "This is a massive violation of the separation of church and state from the standpoint of the government intruding on the private dictates of churches."
Under IRS regulations, churches that are tax-exempt organizations cannot openly advocate for candidates for office and can only use a small percentage of their budgets on political activity.
As WorldNetDaily reported, an concerted effort is under way to get the IRS to crack down on churches that might push certain candidates or parties. In July, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, headed by Barry Lynn, filed a complaint with the IRS against Ronnie Floyd, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Springdale, Ark., accusing him of preaching a sermon promoting President Bush's re-election July 4.
Related stories:
Political snitches monitor sermons
Democrats back church IRS probe
If you'd like to sound off on this issue, please take part in the WorldNetDaily poll.
Ron Strom is a news editor for WorldNetDaily.com. |
The law that is being used by the IRS (the one that derives section 501(c)(3) of the IRC) to prohibit churches (churches are the people, not the buildings) from praying (or speaking) in any particular way is therefore violating the first amendment. The law is an ass, and should be declared void as violating the Constitution.
It won't, but it should.
To ALL Freepers and Lurker voters:GO to the polls and vote for Bush. Take your friends with you to do the same. If you know any Zell Miller type Democrats that support Bush and they are voting for him, take them as well.
Vote EARLY to avoid the rush. If you wait until November 2nd, make SURE to go and vote!! And if you do wait until November 2nd, remember:
IGNORE ANYTHING IN THE MEDIA YOU HEAR (i.e., making a fast, early call in Florida for Kerry, etc.). WE CAN AVOID A REPEAT OF THE FLORIDA ELECTION DEBACLE OF 2000 THIS YEAR IF GOP TURNOUT IS STRONG, imho.
[Expletive deleted] !!!
I guess all the Orthodox synagogues in the United States are under arrest then because we all pray for the President and the Vice President EVERY WEEK.
Reason number 536,897,003,878 that the IRS should be eliminated damned.
Remember IRS stands for Infernal Revenue Service, in the archaic (Dantean) sense of the word.
Brings to mind Matthew 5:43 - 46:
"You have learned that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be the sons of your Father in heavan. He causes his sun to to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?"
Full Disclosure: Given that Bush is a self-confessed evangelical Christian, consider his treatment by the Michael Moore crowd and others in light of Matthew 5:11-12. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
sKerry, Clinton, Kennedy, Jesse Jackson, et al can go to churches and give political speeches from the pulpit, but a person cannot pray in church for President Bush?
Time to clean this country out.
Can we pray for the IRS to got to hell?
The work of the demon.
Prayer warriors...WE WILL NOT BE DENIED OUR RIGHT TO PRAY FOR WHOM EVER WE CHOOSE!!
I stand in agreement with others to claim Victory for President Bush! Thank you Lord.
dansangel, thank you for the ping.
Blessings,
trussell
If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.
I will and have been praying for GWB.
IRS..................... YOU HAVE ZEREOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoo
CONTOL on WHO I VOTE FOR, WHO I PRAY FOR AND HOW I PRAY!!!
IF YOU SO FREAKING CONCERNED>>>>.. GO TO THE CHURCHES WHERE KERRY IS STANDING BEHIND PULPITS PREACHING TO THE BLACK VOTERS... USING THEM AND CAMPAIGNING!!!!!
bump
AMEN!!!
Those Churches who answer to God (and NOT the Government) will pray for whomever they wish.
..and you can take your ruling and put it where the sun don't shine.
redrock
The IRS banning freedom of religion? I say the IRS is unconstitutional.
Bwahahaha. But God said I could pray for whomever I wish and wherever I wish. Guess who I am going to listen to?
BTTT
Now you'll hear that famous chorus....Yea but the gov't needs tax revenues to operate. (like the gov't needed the federal reserve)
i just prayed the irs would be abolished.
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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