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Politically Motivated Enforcement at the IRS?

By TChris, Section Civil Liberties
Posted on Sun Sep 24, 2006 at 01:22:25 PM EST
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by TChris

The First Amendment protects both religious and political speech. Preachers are free to encourage their congregations to take sides on the moral issues of the day, but religious organizations risk losing their tax exempt status when they advocate political support for a particular party or candidate. LA Times columnist Steve Lopez asks why the IRS is investigating the All Saints Episcopal Church, where Rev. George Regas imagined a debate between John Kerry, George Bush and Jesus, while the agency ignores the New Revelation Missionary Baptist Church, just two miles away.

[Pastor William Turner Jr.] has proudly boasted to President Bush about converting 80% of his congregation from Democrat to Republican.

If Turner is entitled to preach the church's position on gay marriage and stem cell research, shouldn't Regas be permitted to apply the teachings of Jesus to tax cuts that benefit the wealthy, to a war that slaughters the innocent, and to the torture of prisoners?

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    Politically Motivated Enforcement at the IRS? | 4 comments (4 topical)
    Re: Politically Motivated Enforcement at the IRS? (none / 0) (#1)
    by rdandrea on Sun Sep 24, 2006 at 04:59:23 PM EST
    Politically motivated enforcement? I'm shocked. Shocked.

    Re: Politically Motivated Enforcement at the IRS? (none / 0) (#2)
    by Patrick on Sun Sep 24, 2006 at 06:20:50 PM EST
    The difference I noted between the two churches is one was naming names, the other was talking about issues. I think it's OK to talk about issues ins't it?

    Re: Politically Motivated Enforcement at the IRS? (none / 0) (#3)
    by cpinva on Sun Sep 24, 2006 at 09:17:26 PM EST
    has anyone formally filed a complaint with the IRS? if not, than there isn't going to be an investigation. the IRS doesn't have the resources to go out and start investigations of non-profits on their own volition, they pretty much rely on complaints, with evidence, filed by citizens. so, if you truly think a non-profit church is in violation, hie thee to the IRS and get the ball rolling.

    Re: Politically Motivated Enforcement at the IRS? (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Sep 25, 2006 at 08:55:05 AM EST
    "cpinva" in so right about formal complaints. I had occasion to interview the former head of non-profit enforcement a couple of years ago, and he stressed this over and over. People seem to think the IRS watches every 501(c) organization and will take initiative -- but that's not the case. Very occasionally, a lot of news coverage will have the same effect as a well-documented complaint, but not often. This is why the Ohio case, where a coalition of churches spent a year or more collecting documentation on World Harvest and another church, is so important. They did their homework and filed an effective complaint that demanded investigation. So, as cpinva says, if you think there's a problem, document it, bring it through the front door, and make sure your complaint get press coverage. Then follow up, for as long as it takes.

    Politically Motivated Enforcement at the IRS? | 4 comments (4 topical)