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Advocacy Blog
Friday, August 08, 2008
Watchdog Group Files IRS Complaint Against Tennessee Church
Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) alleging that Pastor Maury Davis, of Cornerstone Church in Madison, Tennessee, violated federal tax law during an August 3rd sermon when he endorsed three School Board candidates from the pulpit.
Federal tax law prohibits tax-exempt charitable organizations from engaging in partisan politics and campaign intervention. The IRS has said in the past that it is stepping up enforcement of the ban.
According to Americans United, during the August 3rd sermon, Pastor Davis said, "They're all from our church and we want you to get to know them and see what you can do to help them. I want to tell you that I am not allowed to promote a political candidate from the pulpit because of the IRS guidelines…. I'm allowed on a radio station to say I want you to vote for Tony Davis and Robby McGee and Charlie Taylor, but I'm not allowed to say that in our pulpit."
According to Americans United's Press Release, the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United Executive Director, wrote in his letter to the IRS, "I find the manner in which Davis issued this pulpit endorsement particularly offensive. He appears to be openly mocking the IRS rules. Furthermore, Davis' statement indicates that he is clearly aware that the IRS does not permit tax-exempt houses of worship to engage in partisan politicking. He did so anyway, fully aware that he was violating the law."
Americans United is requesting that the IRS initiate an investigation into Cornerstone Church's conduct.
Posted by Lateefah Williams
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