Churches Defying IRS Rules and Getting Away With It Too!

News9, Edmond, Oklahoma, 9-27-2010

Churches now endorsing political candidates without fear of losing their tax exemptions. Here comes the theocracy!

Story from News 9:

EDMOND, Oklahoma -- In 2008, pastors created "Pulpit Freedom Sunday," a movement created to try and an erase a law that prevents pastors from preaching politics. The participation from pastors over exercising their rights more than doubled this Sunday.

Edmond Pastor Paul Blair was one of over 100 pastors across the country who say they exercised their First Amendment right to endorse political candidates in their sermon Sunday.

The pastors claim a 1954 amendment to the tax code that prohibits such speech is unconstitutional and needs to be challenged.

"The First Amendment is to keep the federal government from coming and telling me what I can and can't preach," said Fairview Baptist Church Pastor Paul Blair. "Pastors have been conned by groups like the Americans United for Separation of Church and State that this is wrong, you aren't suppose to do this."

It's a message Pastor Blair has been delivering for two years now. It's the reason he continues to use his pulpit to endorse candidates.

"On November 2, as this God fearing Oklahoman, as this patriotic American steps into the election booth, I will be casting my ballot for Representative Mary Fallin for governor," Pastor Blair preached during his sermon.

But federal law says Blair shouldn't be using the pulpit for politics and the IRS prohibits religious organizations from endorsing candidates.

"The religious people in our society seem to think there are no boundaries for their role in our society," said Bruce Prescott, a religious talk show host.

The religious radio show host heads the Norman chapter for the Americans United for Separation of Church and State. He fears pastors endorsing candidates will only reflect negatively on the church.

"I don't care who you put in charge. They are fallible human beings. They are not perfect. They are going to do something that doesn't reflect well on Christ," said Prescott.

But Blair hopes more pastors will continue to defy the federal government.

"We need another generation of God fearing, Bible thumping, Patriot pastors. That's why I do what I do," the pastor said.

Pastor Blair said even if the IRS takes away the church's tax exempt status, he won't stop endorsing candidates. He also sent the IRS a DVD of his endorsement of John McCain two years ago. The agency took no action against Blair or his church.

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[hal2017]

It's time to take away the tax-exempt status of all religious institutions which are nothing more than Private member clubs. No one should be forced to subsidize these cults through their tax dollars. Let them contribute to society by paying their share of the tax burden.

[KCKatheist]

ALL churches in the US need to be stripped of their tax-exempt status! It sickens me to see these "pastors" becoming wealthy off of the contributions of their followers and using their pulpits to endorse, or sully, various candidates, laws, constitutional amendments, etc. I never thought I'd go to bat for the IRS, but in this case, make 'em pay, IRS, make 'em pay!

[AHMEDBULAXUBEY]

Half of the bible is word of white man Christianity is money .. Let me tell you this. All the pastors went to college bible for at least 2 years so they need moneeeeeeeeeey

[TheLavish99]

Aren't there money hungry thieves from all faiths? Of course there are. Why just target one religion over this matter? LOOK around you REGARDLESS of whether you're conservative or liberal.

[sandee65]

But if the IRS wants to take away the tax exempt status... oh well so be it. the churches will STILL survive.

[sandee65]

ohhh my gosh Pastors will defy the federal government... scary... oh well I do think that GOD is the ruler of pastors NOT the IRS.

[cembalistmn]

What dingleberry pastor doesn't realize is that, if the IRS takes away the churches non-profit status, he can preach any bullshit he wants. Pay your taxes and I'll support your ability to use the pulpit to indoctrinate your own believers in whatever you want, just pay your taxes.

[Nexthendrix2112]

@ranchai100 dude I know what you mean man, religion has pissed me off too, and I had some real bad experiences with churches. Truth is, shit happens in every organization cause it's easy to get greedy when you're at the top. So I stopped going to church cause there were too many assholes. But it's weird cause I started believing in God on my own more just by studying science and shit, not exactly church God, but some higher power

[ranchai100]

@Nexthendrix2112 yea,that was going a bit to far,I have had such a bad experience with religion that sometimes I go overboard,and don't think before I speak,or in this case type.My apologies if I offended you,my foot tends to live in my mouth on this issue.