IRS Denies Christian Non-Profit Tax Exempt Status For Using Bible Teaching’s Affiliated With GOP

In a shocking decision the IRS recently denied a Christian non-profit tax exempt status due to the fact the organization taught “Bible teachings that are affiliated with the Republican party”.

Christians Engaged is a non-profit  based in Texas that encourages church members to pray for political leaders regardless of their political party but apparently the IRS has decided prayer is too much related to the Republican Party so Christian Engaged’s tax exempt status has been pulled.

The IRS was also stated that Christians Engaged educated Christians on what the Bible says about marriage, biblical justice, Israel, the definition of marriage and other topics that are related to the GOP.

The Epoch Times reported the story, check out what they had to share:

An IRS official denied tax-exempt status to a Texas group that encourages church members to pray for state and national leaders, regardless of their party affiliation, because it benefits “the private interests of the [Republican] Party.”

“You do not qualify as an organization described in IRS Section 501(c)(3). You engage in prohibited political campaign intervention,” wrote Stephen A. Martin, director of the IRS Office of Exempt Organizations Rulings and Agreements, in a May 18 letter (pdf) to Christians Engaged, the Garland, Texas-based prayer group recognized by Texas officials as tax-exempt.

Martin’s letter was made public on June 16 by the First Liberty Institute, a Plano, Texas-based public interest law firm that specializes in religious freedom litigation.

Martin also noted that the group’s activities “educate believers on national issues that are central to their belief in the Bible as the inerrant Word of God.

“Specifically, you 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,” he wrote.

“The Bible teachings are typically affiliated with the D party and candidates. This disqualifies you from exemption under IRS Section 501(c)(3).”

Christians Engaged President Bunni Pounds said in a statement issued by the First Liberty Institute: “We just want to encourage more people to vote and participate in the political process. How can anyone be against that?”

First Liberty Institute is appealing Martin’s decision on behalf of Christians Engaged.

CBN got the scoop too:

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) denied tax-exempt status to a Texas Christian non-profit last month, arguing it was not eligible for 501(c)(3) status in part because “Bible teachings are typically affiliated with the Republican party and candidates.”

Christians Engaged, an organization dedicated to educate and empower Christians to pray for the nation and elected officials, vote, and be civically engaged, was denied the tax exemption in a letter from IRS Exempt Organizations Director Stephen A. Martin.

First Liberty Institute, a religious rights law firm, is representing Christians Engaged and has appealed the IRS’s decision.

Christians Engaged incorporated in July 2019 as a Texas nonprofit corporation “formed exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, or scientific purposes.” From its religious perspective, the organization provides nonpartisan religious and civic education, focusing on encouraging and educating Christians to be engaged citizens as a part of their religious practice. Christians Engaged applied for tax-exempt status in late 2019.

Christians Engaged’s President was interviewed on Fox News, check out what she had to say in the video below: