Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

IRS: Churches can't pray for Bush victory
Wrld Net Daily ^ | 10-28-04 | Ron Strom

Posted on 10/27/2004 10:50:56 PM PDT by hope

This is a WorldNetDaily printer-friendly version of the article which follows.
To view this item online, visit http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=41145

Thursday, October 28, 2004



TESTING THE FAITH
IRS: Churches can't pray for Bush victory
Ruling says tax-exempt groups prohibited from asking God to intervene


Posted: October 28, 2004
1:00 a.m. Eastern

By Ron Strom


© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com

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.



TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: churchandstate; churches; churchesprayer; gwb2004; irs; patmahoney; persecution; prayer
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 161-180181-200201-220 ... 241-245 next last
To: hope

Do it anyway, let 'em try to remove these church's tax exmpt status.

Quit being afraid to do what's right. Just do it!!!


181 posted on 10/28/2004 7:40:56 AM PDT by bjmorris
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: joedownthestreet

They are above the law.


182 posted on 10/28/2004 7:42:05 AM PDT by international american (Support our troops!! Send Kerry back to Bedlam,Massachusetts!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: hope

The IRS is going to stop us from praying? LOL! I think we should ask an opinion of whether we can pray for the demise of the IRS. Their own analysis supports the view that we can.


183 posted on 10/28/2004 7:43:23 AM PDT by Greek (WAHT)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hope
I can pray whatever I want to pray, to whomever I wish to pray, wherever I want to pray it. The IRS can go jump in the lake.

Churches can say "God help the man who truely loves you win this election." That's specific enough, without giving the IRS ammunition.

184 posted on 10/28/2004 7:43:50 AM PDT by I'm ALL Right! (ABC: Where communists are more credible than American war heroes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hope
Ummmm.....What about this Church?


185 posted on 10/28/2004 7:44:59 AM PDT by Polybius
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hope

Is this for real???? Why in the hell can the IRS tell a church what to do. Or tell anyone what to pray for. Separation of church and state?


186 posted on 10/28/2004 7:50:16 AM PDT by knak
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dansangel

Amen!


187 posted on 10/28/2004 7:53:35 AM PDT by PleaseNoMore
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 139 | View Replies]

To: Bahbah
Bwahahaha. But God said I could pray for whomever I wish and wherever I wish. Guess who I am going to listen to?

These idiots just can't seem to get their sh*t together...it's that "separation of church and state" thing...they want it as long as it helps them keep God out of the schools...they don't want it when it keeps them from being allowed to dictate what we can pray about in our churches!!!

188 posted on 10/28/2004 8:17:03 AM PDT by trussell (Unemployed intellectual...will act like a pompous ass for food!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 176 | View Replies]

To: hope

UNFRIGINBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!! THE MIND POLICE ARE COMING FOR YOU - TIME TO SCAP THE TAX CODE AND LET THE CHURCHES PREACH. I DONT GIVE TO MY CHURCH FOR THE TAX WRITE OFF LETS GET RID OF THE TAX CODE AND ALLOW FREEDOM OF THOUGHT. WONT BE LONG BEFORE ALL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO USE THE BIBLE - WILL BE CONSIDERED HATE SPEECH. WAKE UP AMERICA! (speaking the liberals of course)


189 posted on 10/28/2004 8:22:05 AM PDT by sasafras (sasafras (The road to hell is paved with good intentions))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: trussell

I join in prayer for our country!


190 posted on 10/28/2004 9:36:45 AM PDT by Alamo-Girl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 169 | View Replies]

To: trussell

I stand in agreement to claim victory for President Bush. Thank you Jesus for your promise that you hear our prayer, and that You are in control. Praise God!! Amen.


191 posted on 10/28/2004 10:06:00 AM PDT by NanaDory8
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 169 | View Replies]

To: knak

It's called a LICENSED CHURCH, you know, like in COMMUNIST CHINA...


192 posted on 10/28/2004 10:15:54 AM PDT by ApesForEvolution (You will NEVER convince me that Muhammadanism isn't a veil for MASS MURDERS. Save your time...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 186 | View Replies]

To: technochick99

Do you go to church?


193 posted on 10/28/2004 10:18:42 AM PDT by ApesForEvolution (You will NEVER convince me that Muhammadanism isn't a veil for MASS MURDERS. Save your time...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 148 | View Replies]

To: King Prout

"I hereby implore Almighty God to listen to this unworthy sinner and help ensure that George W. Bush wins both the Popular and EC Votes on November second, HUGELY, in this the two-thousand and fourth year of our Lord!"

Welcome to the family of God.


194 posted on 10/28/2004 10:39:23 AM PDT by Search4Truth (When a man lies he murders some part of the world.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: Search4Truth

eh. so long as he knows I'm a stubborn and wanderin' fool, we'll get along all right.


195 posted on 10/28/2004 10:52:26 AM PDT by King Prout ("We've found more WMDs in Iraq than we've found disenfranchised blacks in Florida." - Ann Coulter)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 194 | View Replies]

To: hope

Can I pray that Bush get rid of the IRS in a second term?


196 posted on 10/28/2004 10:55:59 AM PDT by capitan_refugio
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hope
How about inviting political candidates into your church to campaign for votes?

Why can Rat politicians campaign for votes inside Black Churches with other politicians and the IRS does nothing? Why?

197 posted on 10/28/2004 10:58:54 AM PDT by TexasCajun
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hope

Only socialist Democrats and black churches are exempt from this ruling. Nothing new to see here. Some are just more equal than others.


198 posted on 10/28/2004 11:09:00 AM PDT by F.J. Mitchell (Kerry hugs his security football like the kid in the Peanuts Comics does his security blanket.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Brad's Gramma

I wonder how the IRS feels about churches invoking Kerry..?


199 posted on 10/28/2004 11:43:50 AM PDT by mrs tiggywinkle (AMERICA, LAND OF THE FREE **BECAUSE** OF THE BRAVE.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: hope

Can they pray for a Kerry loss?


200 posted on 10/28/2004 11:46:55 AM PDT by 11th_VA (VRWC Local 1077)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 161-180181-200201-220 ... 241-245 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson