Monday, February 27, 2006 IRS Exam: Churches are Politicking IRS exams found that nearly 3 out of 4 churches, charities, and other civic groups suspected of having violated restraints on political activity in the '04 election did in fact do so. The majority of charities and churches followed the law, but a ''disturbing" amount of political intervention did occur in the '04 elections. The IRS examined 110 organizations referred to the tax agency for potential violations; 28 cases remain open. Among the 82 closed cases, the IRS found prohibited politicking and sent a written warning to 55 organizations (37 churches) and assessed a penalty tax against 1 group. Among the prohibited activities, the examiners found that charities and churches had distributed printed material supporting a preferred candidate and assembled improper voter guides or candidate ratings." Hmm... now if we could just convince these wingnut churches that state sanctioned torture, illegal wars, decimating all socially needed programs, killing off the middle class/ poor & tax breaks for billionaires are NOT Christian beliefs, then we might achieve something. |