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Advocacy Blog
Friday, June 01, 2007
IRS Questions Political Activity of Kansas Church
The Wichita Eagle reports that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has asked Pastor Mark Holick of Spirit One Christian Center in Wichita Kansas to answer thirty one questions about political activities at the church. The questionable activities include the pastor distributing voter guides and messages on the church's marquee critical of candidates and their position on abortion. Holick has scheduled a news conference today at the church to discuss the issue. The IRS wanted to know whether or not the former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline spoke at the church and if his campaign asked for the church's support. Holick reportedly answered no. In October, the IRS was asked to investigate churches for possible involvement in helping with Kline's re-election campaign. Holick was also questioned about his involvement with Kansans for Life, and in passing out voter guides in front of a Wichita church.
But Holick said he won't stop speaking out on issues such as abortion, even if it means naming politicians. "It's a clear violation of the First Amendment, the free exercise of religion, the free exercise of speech," said Holick, one of the most outspoken abortion opponents in the Wichita area.
In related news, the Washington Post reports that Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) wants the IRS to revoke the 501(c)(3) status of Bill Keller Ministries because of the statements he made about Mitt Romney. Keller has a call-in show on a Tampa television station and a Web site called Liveprayer.com. On May 11, Keller claims that he was making a spiritual statement when he warned listeners; "if you vote for Mitt Romney, you are voting for Satan!"
Posted by Amanda Adams
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