The IRS vs. the Church
A Power Struggle of Opposing Intentions
   

   By Liadain

A California Episcopalian church is in danger of losing its tax-exempt status due to a sermon made two years ago by a visiting pastor. The sermon, 'If Jesus Debated Senator Kerry and President Bush,' came two days before the 2004 elections and violated a federal law stating that tax-exempt organizations cannot endorse political parties or their candidates.

In transcript, the sermon did not directly back either of the presidential candidates, but did include thoughts of the pastor about what he believed Jesus would say to President Bush about the Iraq War.After refusing to comply with a request by the IRS in 2005 to proceed with caution and keep out of the political arena, the church has been asked to produce documentation for 2004 with any political references, as well as allow an interview with the pastor. The pastor and vestry of the church are planning to deny both requests, ignoring the IRS warning that tax-exemption is not a constitutional right.

Many American religious groups, not all Christian, are on the side of the church. If the IRS succeeds, the fear generated by this struggle is whether or not religious groups will be punished for pushing moral agendas that are undeniably political matters. Political parties will also be affected, as churches have recently become places to get messages across to a large number of people.

Churches are not in business to promote or discredit political agendas. Period. However, the major dilemma facing the IRS is whether or not they will be infringing on the church's Right to Free Speech. One would think that since the law states no church may endorse/slander a political candidate or party, that the outcome is crystal clear. Unfortunately, a major power-play will be felt here, with half screaming "Free Speech!" and the other half yelling "Separation of Church and State!" The loss for the church will be the tax-exempt status they hold as a non-profit religious organization. The gain, should the law side with the church, would be the ability to stretch the barrier between "discussing politics" that is currently allowed and "backing a political candidate" that is currently taboo, and would continue to merge religion and politics.

"Church" and "State" have been edging ever closer over the past decade or more, and could soon make what is commonly viewed as Conspiracy Theory a reality; incorporating the two biggest forces in this country into one very large powerhouse. Those of us who see the danger in this will vehemently protest against the church while supporting the intention of the IRS to uphold the law. The fact that the sermon professes what most of America feels about war should not enter into the debate, it's the intention behind the words - the aim to influence a political outcome - that is the hazard here.

If this merge ever happens, what can we expect? America was founded on the bed of religious freedom and democracy, with no intention of the two ever becoming one. The influence over people would be too great; Americans may not trust in their politicians, but they most definitely trust in their religious leaders. Almost instantly control will be out of the peoples' hands and one major statute of the United States Government will be dissolved. One can only imagine how long until rights such as Free Speech and Religious Freedom are threatened, or until we no longer have control over who runs our country.
   

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