The IRS Bows To Atheists As They Poise Themselves To Target Churches

For most people in the United States, the one organization they hate the most – as per numerous opinions on social media and online communities – is the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS. This government service organization has been in the news a lot as of late, too. Here on The Inquisitr, we reported how the IRS was in trouble for supposedly taxing Republican and Conservative companies and individuals more than they needed to be taxed. They also got in trouble for paying $1 million in bonuses to 1,100 employees who owed taxes in the first place.

Now reports are coming in that the IRS are poised to start targeting churches, through their promise with the FFRF to monitor churches for politicking.

According to an article by Charisma News, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, or FFRF, has settled with the IRS in which churches being monitored for politicking, but it is being held up by Father Patrick Malone and the Holy Cross Anglican Church. They filed an opposition to the motion to dismiss without prejudice. If the FFRF dismisses the lawsuit without prejudice, they can renew the lawsuit if the group deems the IRS is not targeting churches. Mat Staver, founder and chairman of the Liberty Counsel did make a statement about churches and their tax exemption:

“Churches are tax-exempt inherently from the moment of creation. Churches do not need a letter from the IRS to be tax-exempt.

No church has ever lost its tax-exempt status for opposing or supporting a candidate for political office. Churches and pastors may speak on Biblical and moral issues. Pastors can educate about candidates’ viewpoints. Pastors can encourage people to vote and can assist in getting to the polls.”

Forbes also wrote an article on the topic in which they reported that the FFRF did not like how churches can have a say in politics, which is why the lawsuit was filed in the first place. However, the IRS is taking the matter on an eventual basis. This means they’ll get to the situation, but it isn’t the top priority on their list.

The article shows how minimal this situation’s importance is by asking how many revenue agents are educated as accountants, and if they can truly do finances of a church while out on field. How many of the 20,000 or so accountants – tasked in collecting over $2 trillion – should be diverted to listening to sermons? They believe the answer is none because there are plenty of other places to fight tax crimes.

We want to know from all of you about this situation. First, should churches have any or no say when it comes to politics? Second, if they do relate politics with faith, should it be a basis to lose their tax exemption? Let us know in the comments below.

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