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Posted on 06/02/2007 7:25:39 AM PDT by kindred
This is a WorldNetDaily printer-friendly version of the article which follows.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
FAITH UNDER FIRE IRS to church: Shut up – Church to IRS: No way Pastor under investigation says he 'will not stop preaching God's word'
Posted: June 2, 2007 1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Bob Unruh
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
A Christian church in Kansas has told the Internal Revenue Service that it will not stop teaching and preaching God's Word, "even if it relates to contemporary issues in the world," after the federal agency demanded answers to 31 questions about its beliefs and warned about "political" activity.
Spirit One Christian Center Pastor Mark Holick told WND that the IRS, perhaps, should brush up on the freedoms assured U.S. citizens regarding religion and speech before making such demands in the future.
An announcement about the IRS crackdown on moral statements by the church
He said the issues the church addressed – and will continue to address – concern issues that the Bible addresses, such as killing and protecting the defenseless.
The response came to a series of questions from the IRS questioning whether the church was involved in "political" activity. In specific, Holick said, the IRS cited a sign that read: "Sebelius accepted $300,000.00 from abortionist Tiller, price of 1000 babies."
But that, he said, was just part of a responsibility on the part of a Christian church to comment on abortion, a red-hot topic in the church's home city of Wichita.
That's also the location of the abortion business of George Tiller, whose political connections in Kansas have been documented by Operation Rescue, a pro-life organization, and reported by WND.
(Story continues below)
A Christian organization needs to be able to talk of the moral issues of the day – including abortion, Holick noted. The sign just told of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' connections to the abortion industry.
Holick told WND that the IRS letter challenged a variety of the church's activities, including the posting of various pro-life messages on the building marquee.
"They felt like they had a reasonable concern that we had been involved in political activity," he said.
But politics are of no interest to the church; issues of moral character addressed in the Bible are, he said.
One of the signs on the Spirit One church marquee
"The church does not intend to engage in political intervention activity as prohibited by federal law and the United States Constitution," he told the IRS. "But the church will not stop communicating its Biblical message, even if it relates to contemporary issues in the world.
"Thus," Holick continued, "the church cannot agree to not engage in any activity that may favor or oppose a candidate. Simply preaching the word of God on a moral issue which a candidate is opposed, may be deemed to oppose a candidate. While it is the church's policy not to oppose or endorse a candidate for office, it will not stop preaching God's word."
He continued: "The United States Constitution guarantees that Spirit One will be able to freely exercise its religion, and that Congress will not pass any law restricting that right. This is all Spirit One wants to do – communicate God's word.
"The 1st Amendment of the Constitution is a respected and renowned oracle celebrated all over the nations of the world. It is quite specific and clear; 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press...,'" Holick said.
He said the IRS also raised questions about a voter information guide that was handed out in Wichita, although his church did not sponsor it, as well as an abortion-issue related e-mail he had forwarded.
He said he didn't know who would have filed a complaint about his church with the IRS. "We're a very vocal pro-family, pro-life church," he said. "That creates enemies."
"These are not political issues, these are Gospel issues, Christian issues," he said.
He noted that the IRS even wanted to know whether Phill Kline, the Republican state attorney general who was defeated in his re-election bid in 2006, had ever spoken at the church, and what were the details of his address.
"It's crazy," Holick told WND.
"Please provide a detailed explanation of Mr. Kline's speech. Include details such as the topic of the speech, whether he solicited votes during this speech to the congregation, whether he discussed the election during the speech, and whether he discussed other candidates in the election during the speech," the IRS wrote.
"He ministered from the Bible, mostly the book of Genesis, and on truth. He did not speak about elections or political candidates. But because it was so long ago (2003 and 2004), the church does not remember any more specific details," Holick responded.
To another question about whether certain signs were "political," Holick wrote:
"The signs were not political activities, but rather, were examples of how Spirit One communicates its religious message. The signs all pertained to respect for life and family, a key and fundamental teaching of the scriptures (see Ps. 139:13-15, Jer. 1:4-5, Lk. 1:41-44, Lk. 1:15, Ge. 25:23, Gal. 1:15, Ge. 1:27, Job 10:12, Pr. 24:11-12, Jr. 7:2, Jr. 22:3, 17, Ex. 23:7, Ex. 20:13, Rv. 21:8, Ge. 9:6, 2 Ki. 17:16-20, Jr. 32:35, Jr. 7:31, Mt. 19:5.)."
Holick said the congregation of about 100, meeting as a church for 16 years already, has been strong throughout the challenge by the federal government.
Holick also told the IRS that the signs all "are spiritual messages that communicate God's truth, or are directly related to messages in the Bible." And to the question "why," he said: "The purpose is to obey the Lord, proclaim His Word (the Gospel), and establish His kingdom."
"The following are just a few of the many Scripture references related to the purpose of the signs:
-to lift up Jesus (Ps. 24:7-9) -to rebuke sin (Lk. 3:8) -to destroy the works of the devil (1 Jn. 3:8) -to save babies (Lv. 20:1-5) -to be honest (Is. 59:14) -to take a righteous stand (Ps. 9:8) -to rescue the weak and needy (Ps. 12:5) -to demonstrate true religion by loving preborn neighbors (Jm. 1:27) -to call a wicked city to repent (Ex. 23:7) -to educate and inform about Jesus who IS truth (Jn. 14:6) -to obey the call to preach, including rebuking (Acts 16:10) -to stand in the gap against evil (Ez. 22:30) -to confront hypocrites (1 Ki. 18:17-18) -to confront immoral politicians (1 Ki. 18) -to declare the whole counsel of God (Jn. 14:26) -to disciple children (Pr. 22:6) -to save America (Dt. 28) -to stop the shedding of innocent blood (Jr. 22:17) -to not allow the city to be comfortable while babies are murdered (Pr. 1:32) -to glorify God (Ps. 86:12) -to destroy the works of the devil (1 Jn. 3:8) -to make the Pastor’s calling and election sure (2 Pe. 1:3) -to work out the Pastor’s salvation with fear and trembling (Ph. 2:12) -to take dominion for King Jesus over this wicked city (Dn. 7:14) -to promote the fear of God, for it is the beginning of wisdom (Pr. 9:10) -to spark a Revival (Jl. 2:12-13) -to separate the wheat from the chaff in this church and other churches (Is. 40:24) -to obey Ephesians 5:11 and reprove the fruitless deeds of darkness (Ep. 5:11) -to act like a Christian (Jm. 1:27 – what the Bible calls true religion) -to train others how to act and speak (Jm. 2:22) -to expose and confront evildoers (Ez. 20:4) -to prophesy against wickedness (Is. 58:1) -as an act of worship (Jn. 14:15)"
Overreact much? This has nothing to do with their right to free speech, but rather their tax exempt-status.
Our founders were correct in the US Constitution and the first 10 Amendments. It tells Government how to run the country and do not touch - Religion (God), Speech, and Guns.
If the Government attempts to regulate any of these, the 2nd Amendment is the reset button to an abusive Government.
If a church wants tax-exempt status, it should not be endorsing candidates. That having been said, enforcement needs to be even handed. The biggest violators are the black churches that have Dem candidates speaking from the podium.
Whether or not you agree with this pastor...it goes down a scary road and that slippery slope when we try to threaten churches with taxation because of free speech.
Yep. As far as I am concerned no church should be tax exempt - not in terms of real property, income nor in wages. And no guest visas for religious workers. Nada.
I’m not sure it was endorsing a candidate so much as criticizing the supporter of one. A fine line, but one which many churches have walked in the past.
Dear IRS,
When are you going to start prosecutting Democrats for campaining from the pulpit?
Tax them all the same, and I don’t mean zero taxes. Or as Jesus said “Give unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s.” For that matter tax charities. I mean it. Too many tax exempt foundations are excuses for political wings of the RAT party. Tax them all.
If the government orders you to pay taxes because of your speech, it isn't free, is it?
The IRS ought not be in the business of restricting people’s speech. In fact, no one anywhere in the federal government ought be in that business.
Churches have always had tax exempt status and that was the presumed law of the land until a religious-hating socialist named LBJ created this 'tax-exempt' legal status to put churches under control of the IRS.
[If a church wants tax-exempt status, it should not be endorsing candidates.]
Do you really believe that the Church has no right to endorse political candidates? I do.
I wonder if fred phelps “God hates Fags” church is tax exempt.
Sounds like a court case for the Jay Seccalo (sp? ... organization name?) group and their legal team.
I wonder ... if no reference had been made to the Gov. herself, and only to Tiller’s baby-killing business, would this church have drawn fire?
[Tax them all the same, and I don’t mean zero taxes.]
The bible beleiving church has the same rights to speak and talk gauranteed by the Constitution and the first ammendment as all other peoples of America, but your answer in right in line with the marxist doctrine of the left wing neo nazi movement of the rino party.
You said it right.
You need a history lesson. Churches are tax-exempt. This nonsense of putting Churches legal status under the control of the IRS is the creation of LBJ. Our founding fathers could not even fathom that taxing churches would ever be an issue. And giving the IRS a tool over churches is just wrong. Our Constitution clearly gives us the freedom of religious expression and prevents the government the power to regulate the establishment of churches. This leftwing anti-Religion LBJ creation violates both of those principles. Nothing in the Consitution could be construed as allowing the government the right to dictate what churches can and can not say.
Pretty darn close to campaigning against the governor here. The church may well be in murky waters.
Read #19. The first part is not right. But I have to go for now.
Agreed. Giving special tax status to religions clearly violates the establishment clause of the Constitution, as it allows the IRS to pick and chose what churches and beliefs are 'real' religions.
So? Would you want the government to step in if it were, say, Hitler that were running for office?
They could have left out the names and the sign would have been just as effective.
-and isn’t hitlery running right now?
With the same low flat rate we all pay. (I can dream, can't I?)
At least a church limits itself to a 10% tithe (except Scientology, of course).
removing tax exempt status would be a form of punishment for free speech/religious doctrine the govt did not agree with
If this movement succeeds I assure you it would be applied selectively to certain churches only - largely white Christian churches, while mosques will continue to spew hate and the black churches continue to function as political lobbies
Is that the type of society you want to see us become? It has already begun
Our little church right now has 600 little white crosses in the church yard--all in rememberance of those who have lost their lives due to abortion.
We have an active Lutherans for Life chapter and tomorrow is our annual fundraiser for funds to keep our billboard in place another year. The billboard has a photo of a beautiful baby and proud proclaims that God Loves Life.
We also help a pregnancy center.
It's there for all the world to see.
The fact that the government has passed a law infringing the free speech rights of churches does not mean that the law is constututional. It isn't.
The Federal Government has no legitimate right to restrict either the free speech right or the free exercise rights of churches in order to let them have a tax exempt status. The Churches have had a tax exempt status since the beginning of the Republic. That was a right that was taken away by congress when they established the current regulations regarding political speech in churches.
Those regulations are unconstitutional. And, in case you hadn't noticed, they are selectively enforced.
[Our Constitution clearly gives us the freedom of religious expression and prevents the government the power to regulate the establishment of churches. This leftwing anti-Religion LBJ creation violates both of those principles. Nothing in the Consitution could be construed as allowing the government the right to dictate what churches can and can not say.]
And I thank you for beliving the Constituion and the first ammendment rights that our forefathers, though the rino party is defecting from the rights therein, Mr.Bush being an example of the rino middle of the road man.
What a disappointment he has become because of his liberal rino mindset.
*shrug* The church I was a member of had millions of members, yet the IRS refused tax exempt status until Clinton directly ordered them to recognize them.
Libertarian ping! To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here.
(”Wherever liberty has sprouted around the world, we find American blood at its roots.”)
In America, it was largly Christian blood. And you stand against freedom of reliegion.
Steady, kindred. Deep breaths...
BUMP.... Couldn't have said it better, nicely done.
Wait a bit. That actually isn't a bad idea...
A church near me, in a very rural area, had the same thing. The City (yes, we are in the city limits of a metropolitan city altho without any city service and it’s 10 miles to town) made them take the crosses down. Said it was “distracting” to people driving by! I guess a cemetery would be out of the question too, I’m waiting for the requirement to put high fences around all cemeteries so the feeble minded drivers won’t be distracted.
As a Baptist church, yes it is.
The power to tax a church is the power to shut down a church. The government has absolutely no business telling a church what to do, as long as that church does not incite violence (like a mosque preaching “death to the infidels”).
If we allow the government to tax churches, then the government will be able to raise their taxes so high that the churches will have to close their doors - in effect, the government will be able to eliminate any church it doesn’t like.
Obvious 1st Amendment violation!
Of course not?
Do you want a bureaucrat or elected official deciding who can run for office?
Let him run. If you don't like him, vote against him.
I really doubt all that many Americans would vote for a German dictator who's been dead for 60 years.
If the Catholic Church refuses Communion to politicians who support abortion then are they making a poltical statement and should they lose their tax exempt status?
I can’t wait to hear what some constitutional lawyers (like Hugh Hewitt)
to comment on this case.
Oh wait, under the 22nd Amendment, he has absolutely no need to listen to us peons, does he?
The free exercise of religion is not to be regulated by Congress. Taxes are a form of regulation in that they restrict behavior.
People pay taxes. Religious institutions needn’t.
So far, we haven’t had any serious complaints. Too bad. They’re staying.
I'd bet the Germans who voted him into office would be surprised by your doubts.
That's were it should end.
That’s not what the constitution says and you know it. The free exercise of religion doesn’t mean that the state supports religion. For instance, since property taxes pay for fire protection, then a church should pay for that service. I assert churches SHOULD pay. And its constitutional to tax them the same as everyone else.
Abortion is NOT just a political issue. That sign involved a political statement. Refusing Communion to sinners is entirely personal between the church and the communicant. When the Church speaks it generally does not name specific members.......the sign in question did. Now if the church posted a sign out front saying Teddy Kennedy cannot receive communion today..........that would be different.
I wonder how many mosques are being told by the IRS to shut up, else risk their tax-free exemption status?
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