Posted on 09/16/2006 3:19:22 PM PDT by Alex Murphy
The Internal Revenue Service has ordered a prominent liberal church to turn over documents and e-mails it produced during the 2004 election year that contain references to political candidates. The IRS is investigating whether All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena violated the federal tax code when its former rector, Rev. George F. Regas, delivered an anti-war sermon on the eve of the last presidential election.
Tax-exempt organizations are barred from intervening in political campaigns and elections, and the church could lose its tax-exempt status.
Rev. Ed Bacon received a summons Thursday ordering the church to present any politically charged sermons, newsletters and electronic communications by Sept 29.
Bacon was ordered to testify before IRS officials Oct. 11. He said he will inform his roughly 3,500 congregants about the investigation at Sunday's services, and will seek their advice on whether to comply.
"There is a lot at stake here," Bacon said. "If the IRS prevails, it will have a chilling effect on the practice of religion in America."
An IRS spokesperson declined comment on the investigation.
In a sermon two days before the 2004 election, Regas did not urge parishioners to support President Bush or challenger John Kerry but was critical of the Iraq war and Bush's tax cuts, Bacon said in an interview last November when the investigation was announced.
"He explicitly said, 'I am not telling you how to vote.' That is the golden boundary we did not cross," he said.
All Saints has a long history of social activism, dating back to World War II, when its rector spoke out against the internment of Japanese Americans. Regas, who headed the church for 28 years before retiring in 1995, was well-known for opposing the Vietnam War, championing female clergy and supporting gays and lesbians in the church.
The IRS has revoked a church's charitable designation at least once. A church in Binghamton, N.Y., lost its status after running advertisements against Bill Clinton's candidacy before the 1992 presidential election.
Finally.
What about when the Kerry campaign went to a black church and all the members were holding up signs...vote for kerry. Was that church in trouble?
"There is a lot at stake here," Bacon said. "If the IRS prevails, it will have a chilling effect on the practice of religion in America."
YO! "Will have"? It already does.
Churches voluntarily (key word) give up their First Amendment rights in exchange for tax-exempt status.
If they wish to politicize their sermons, all they have to do is pay taxes like everyone else does.
He said he will inform his roughly 3,500 congregants about the investigation at Sunday's services, and will seek their advice on whether to comply.
The very next time I get a subpoena, I'll ask 3 or 4 thousand of my closest friends whether or not I should comply.
L
How can anything under sanction of taxes be considered voluntary?
Tell that to the SCOTUS. They have no problem with the policy.
Of course that's the very same SCOTUS that has no problem with sucking the brains out of full term babies so what the hell do they know.
L
Yeah. I'm betting that that was probably the last rational position this "church" had. Just taking a guess that the reporters wouldn't want to reveal to us some of what a "social activist" liberal church might have done in the past.
And yet Bill, Hillary, Al, Jessie, Kerry, et al regularly campaign in black churches across this country every single election.
I am glad to see the other side get in trouble for a change! But let's see if anything is really done!
For the record, I am against this. Religious freedom is a right, and one we have because of a King who regulated it. The Muslims mosques are sacred and they would never think to shut them up!
Churches make the voluntary decision when they apply for tax-exempt status. I don't like this policy, but it is what it is.
If their attendees wish to tithe sufficiently to support paying taxes then more power to them. But if a Church wishes to remain a tax-exepmt entity they have to comply with the rules.
Now if only an IRS agent will follow Jesse Jackson around during an election cycle and start yanking exemptions in liberal Churches......
L
If you make choice A and pay no taxes and you make choice B and pay taxes, I just don't see it as a free choice.
Churches are already excepted from tax under IRC 501 c 3. Yes, that is correct. A Christian church is already exempt from tax in the United States, and needs to do nothing to secure that exemption. And those giving to this church may legally claim a tax deduction for any donations made.
Only when a church incorporates must it file for tax-exempt status. When a Church becomes a 501(c)3 corporation, it no longer is protected by the First Amendment. Now the Church is under the jurisdiction of the State and must comply with all corporate laws. This confuses many Christians.
Approximately 23% of all churches in the US are operating as a non-incorperated tax exempt church, though many of these do apply for and obtain 501(c)3 status for their auxiliary enterprises that conduct charitable activities that are essentially nonreligious in nature.
If you don't want the government dictating what you church can or cannot say, dissolve your corporations, and be the prophetic voice God intended the Church to be.
Financial donations to an unregistered, unincorporated church are automatically tax-deductible (26 USC 170-B).
Couple this with McCain-Feingold.
Of course the local "fascistettes" only thought that law should work one way; and always in their favor.
IRS needs to set its sites on Oakland, CA churches. It is the statewide hometown "net" for this type of political activity via "churches".
New Headline in Liberal papers: "BUSH TARGETS CHURCHES".
I don't like this one bit better than I like IRS going after a politically conservative Church. If the Devil is believed to be working through certain politicians or through their pronouncements then the pastors have every right to anounce that however they choose.
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