FUNDIE CHURCHES TO DEFY IRS RULES

[LaWood]

Pastors May Defy IRS Gag Rule
Legal Group Urges
Ministers to Preach
About Candidates
By SUZANNE SATALINE
May 9, 2008; Page A5

A conservative legal-advocacy group is enlisting ministers to use their pulpits to preach about election candidates this September, defying a tax law that bars churches from engaging in politics.

Alliance Defense Fund, a Scottsdale, Ariz., nonprofit, is hoping at least one sermon will prompt the Internal Revenue Service to investigate, sparking a court battle that could get the tax provision declared unconstitutional. Alliance lawyers represent churches in disputes with the IRS over alleged partisan activity.

The action marks the latest attempt by a conservative organization to help clergy harness their congregations to sway elections. The protest is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 28, a little more than a month before the general election, in a year when religious concerns and preachers have been a regular part of the political debate......

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB1 ... Tk0Wj.html

[LaWood]

Before the craziness begins it should be noted that any church is free to promote any candidate they wish, but not as a tax exempt organization.
Preach McBush from the pulpit -lose your tax exempt status.

Seems fair to me. Otherwise jesus becomes a ho for McBush.

[Barbara Fitzpatrick]

Absolutely - tax exempt status for churches is questionable from a "separation of church and state" basis anyway. I'd love to see that one go to court (just not a Bush or other R appointed court).