IRS says peace sermon is political activity

The Internal Revenue Service has warned the All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena that it could lose its tax-exempt status because of an anti-war sermon given two days before the 2004 presidential election.

The guest preacher, fully aware of IRS rules prohibiting non-profits from endorsing candidates, was careful not to take a stand for Kerry or Bush, but did preach on the immorality of the Iraq war.

``Our obligation is to enforce the law, which prohibits all charities from engaging in political activities,'' IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson has said.

Thus, pacifism is considered political activity, not religious conviction. How far will this go? Perhaps, Catholics ought to cease greeting each other with “Peace be with you” lest they risk steep fines. Churches who indulge in dove imagery are also skating on thin ice. Buddhists and Unitarians? Just forget it. Hire a CPA. Your tax-free days are numbered.

Meanwhile, rightwing Christian behemoth, the Christian Broadcasting Network, maintains its tax-exempt status despite Pat Robertson’s daily political diatribes on his 700 Club television broadcast. When he’s not claiming to heal people on his TV show (Terri, I’m receiving a word of knowledge right now that there’s someone with some sort of intestinal problem that’s causing horrendous flatulence. God is healing that right now. Hallelujah!), Robertson is calling for the U.S. to assassinate the Venezuelan president, advocating for ultra-conservative Supreme Court nominees, attacking gay rights, and defending Bush’s war in Iraq.

Incredibly, Focus on the Family is also tax exempt, despite James Dobson’s status as one of the most influential political figures in the nation. In October, rather than going on CNN, he used his tax-exempt radio program to reveal his conversations with Karl Rove about Harriet Miers. Political activity? Um, yes.

Preachers, talk about Jesus all you want, especially if you have the inside scoop on what he would have thought about gay marriage or Judge Alito. Just don’t call him the Prince of Peace.