Christians Engaged, a non-profit, faith-based group released documents showing that the IRS denied their organization’s application for tax-exempt status in part because the IRS says “Bible teachings are typically affiliated with the [Republican] party and candidates.”
Christians Engaged goal is to, “awaken, motivate, and empower ordinary believers in Jesus Christ to: pray for our nation and our elected officials regularly, vote in every election to impact our culture, and engage our hearts in some forms of political education or activism for the furtherance of our nation.”
In the letter, the IRS wrote, “Specifically, you [Christians Engaged] educate Christians on what the Bible says in areas where they can be instrumental including the areas of sanctity of life, the definition of marriage, biblical justice, freedom of speech, defense, and borders and immigration, U.S. and Israel relations.” Furthermore, the IRS has pointed to the group’s leadership, claiming that the organization is heavily affiliated with Republican political activities in previous years.
First Liberty Institute, whose goal is to defend religious liberty for all Americans, is representing Christians Engaged in the case. Lea Patterson, who serves as counsel with First Liberty Institute, argued that the IRS has the power to shut down any number of Christian nonprofits in the United States.
In an interview with Breitbart News on Saturday, she said, “If the IRS going forward thinks that Bible teaching is Republican-affiliated, then that could endanger the tax-exempt status of many religious organizations — including potentially churches, which obviously teach the Bible with some frequency.”
Patterson also claimed that the IRS was breaking protocol assuming that a religious group is aligned with a Republican Party. She used President Joe Biden’s as an example of Biblical teachings holding weight in the Democratic Party.
“The IRS states in an official letter that Biblical values are exclusively Republican. That might be news to President Biden, who is often described as basing his political ideology on his religious beliefs,” Patterson said.
As of now, the decision is being challenged with the Office of Independent Appeal.