Posted by
Arnie on Saturday, June 02, 2007 12:17:14 PM
A Christian church in Wichita, Kansas is under investigation by the IRS for possible violations into the area of "political activity". According to the article at WND, the pastor has had to answer 31 questions about its beliefs, and warned the pastor about being involved in political activity. Read the article.
Now this church does have a sign out front that can display a four line message, and the pastor has posted messages relating to public personalities like the sign with the message "Abortionist Tiller -Kansas Most Powerful Politician". "IRS turns gestapo Seeks to silence SI Free Speech and Content" and this one may have been the last straw. "Sebelius accepted $300,000.00 from abortionist Tiller, price of 1000 babies" referring to the governor of Kansas.
Go to the web-site of the church.
So, is this church stepping over that invisible line into political activity that would disqualify it from it's tax exempt status? Has the IRS gone too far? Of course not, the IRS is a federal agency. Only a private citizen, a business owner or a tax exempt organization can go too far. Free speech is limited. There has to be some restrictions, like you can't scream "fire" in a crowded theater. And the reasoning is that it's not a real threat if there is no fire and the panic it would cause would most likely harm another in the mass hysteria to exit.
But, how does a church expressing it's views on abortion and other matters relating to morality harm another? If it is real that the governor had a direct tie with the abortion industry as the sign stated, then it would be like a real fire in the theater and you had better scream. Someone was offended.
We are in trouble in America because of all the cases where someone is sued because of an offensive remark. Imus was run out of town because of an offensive remark. On and on it has gone.
I will venture to say that this could be considered a case of Christian persecution, but the fact that the church posted a sign exposing the ties between the governor and the abortion doctor, it is more than likely a case of retribution.
As Christians we are to expect persecution for our faith, but not for our political views. Let's try to separate the two. Our faith we must defend. Our political views will change. Our definitons on basic morality should not change. But societal morality changes with the wind. As Christians we should be able to express our beliefs about morality that define our faith, and abortion is one of those areas that is all wrapped up in morality.
And then there is the IRS. I'm also beginning to wonder if the same situation involved a muslim church, would the IRS get involved? Now, if that's the case, then there is direct persecution against Christians, OR, the fear of offending the new kid on the block, and/or the fear of the possible retributions from the radical Islamic "freedom fighters". We do not want to offend, do we?