A Los Angeles church has been put on notice from the Internal Revenue Service that it risks losing its tax-exempt status. Reason? Seems its former rector delivered a sermon two days before the November 2004 presidential election which was against the Iraq War.
Criticizing the war, Rev. George F. Regas of All Saints Episcopal Church said to Bush in his sermon, "Mr. President, your doctrine of preemptive war is a failed doctrine. Forcibly changing the regime of an enemy that posed no imminent threat has led to disaster."
The IRS has responded with a threatening letter saying, "a reasonable belief exists that you may not be tax-exempt as a church." The federal tax code prohibits tax-exempt organizations, including churches, from intervening in political campaigns and elections.
Dada is now concerned for all those churches across the country that, prior to the last election, commanded their sheep to flock to the polls for Bush.
Or is it okay for ministers in Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina etc. to command their congregations to vote for Bush, but if your church in California criticizes the president you risk your tax-exempt status.
One has to wonder if the churches of America preach the doctrine of Jesus--or Bush. Seems the IRS needs some clarification.
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