NPR: California Church Wants Apology from IRS

California Church Wants Apology from IRS

It seems that the clergy and parishioners of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, Calif., are not interested in turning the other cheek when it comes to the Internal Revenue Service.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the Rev. J. Edwin Bacon Jr. said Sunday that the IRS had notified him that it had ended its lengthy investigation into what it considered an anti-war sermon given in the days before the 2004 election. The IRS said the church continues to qualify for tax-exempt status, but the agency still considers the sermon illegal.

Instead of accepting the decision, the church has decided to "seek clarification, a corrected record and an apology from the IRS." It also wants the Treasury Department, which overseas the IRS, to investigate reports of inappropriate conversations between the agency and the Justice Department.

Those conversations, documented in e-mails obtained by the church through Freedom of Information Act requests, appear to show that Justice Department officials were involved in the All Saints case before the IRS made any formal referral of it for possible prosecution, an attorney for the church said. The discussions raise concerns that the IRS' investigation was politically motivated, church officials said.

5:37 PM ET | 09-24-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Ya know, I read this and one of the first thoughts that came to mind was a comparison between Blackwater and the Vatican Swiss Guard.

If you are a tourist to the Vatican, the Swiss Guard are those guys in the funny clothes who stand around the Pope.

Yeah, I know. There are all those jokes about the Swiss and how their greatest accomplishment was the cookoo clock.

The story of the Swiss mercenary goes back five centuries, and more. Hitler was afraid to send his Blitzkrieg toward Switzerland because of the Swiss artillery pieces deeply entrenched in the mountains.

Much of the history of the Swiss military prowess is in the tale of William Tell, and his overture. You know which overture. The one everyone calls the Lone Ranger Theme Song. So, it comes to mind the stories we've been reading about Blackwater, and the history of mercenary soldiers.

So, in the vein of mixing religion and political wars, and as an example of the longevity of the mercenary soldiers, a few quotes from the Roman Curia on the history of the Swiss Guard.

Maybe understanding what the Swiss Guard history is about helps to an understanding they the IRS doesn't want to mess with the Catholic Church.

Fred call

"The Swiss Mercenaries: There were some 15,000 men available for this type of work which was "organized" and controlled by the small Confederation of Cantons.To know more we must go back to the period of the Renaissance and discover the motives that in 1506 caused Pope Julius II to invite to Rome the Helvetian soldiers, renowned for their courage, noble sentiments and loyalty ... were granted by the Pope the title of "Defenders of the Church's freedom" ... They were the best troops of those times ... they had invented a tactic of movement that was superior to all others. Therefore they were in great demand both by France and by Spain ... Already in the 13th and 14th centuries, after the Swiss Cantons had become independent, many of their men were fighting in Germany and Italy...January 22nd, 1506, is the official date of birth of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, because on that day, towards the evening, a group of one hundred and fifty Swiss soldiers commanded by Captain Kasparvon Silenen, of Canton Uri, passed through the Porta del Popolo and entered for the first time the Vatican, where they were blessed by Pope Julius II..."

Sent by fred call | 7:47 PM ET | 09-24-2007

The actions of the DOJ and IRS commissioner to silence the anti-war sermon of the Pasadena church is a continued reflection of the extensive over-zealous administration campaign to go after any individual or institutions whom differ in their views. But the administration unaware of the move, provoking charging reactions among not only patrons and parishoners of churches all over the nation but also sending a chilling wrong message over freedom of speech that has not been seen since the McArthur era. Congratulations to All Saints Church for prevailing in their efforts to stand out and maintaining the message.

Sent by Gustavo Pennock | 8:15 PM ET | 09-24-2007

Literally millions of right wing churches across the United States back the most unChristian of policies that the Bush Administration can think of, yet, one church dares point out that Jesus did not support war and they are attacked by the IRS? When so many right wing churches flaunt the law separating politics and religious organizations it is clear the politics has motivated the Bush Administration to only "investigate" the churches which point out the biblical Christian duty to oppose needless bloodshed.

Sent by John | 9:02 PM ET | 09-24-2007

Nothing is beyond the reach of this power seeking fascist based current administration. I would say this story needs alot more air time.

Sent by Randy Thompson | 12:05 AM ET | 09-25-2007

This, like most articles I read regarding this administration, simply are no longer surprising. I am from Michigan. When I was young, no one could ever fathom a time in which the fish from those gorgeous lakes would be considered dangerous. Back then, such a thought would be absolutely shattering. Yet, as an adult, I hear mildly passing stories, *mildly passing stories*, that pregnant women should not eat the fish from the Great Lakes - the shock never occurred, we simply accepted the truth of the matter. My fear is this country does the same with this administration - we simply accept the truth as it is revealed through small print. Take this sniper issue getting press today. Apparently, we, the US military, has 'planted' equipment that might be of interest to insurgents. If someone touches the material, they get shot. My son's curiosity is partly matched by my own. I would hate to think how the administration would taut the victory of our deaths, if we were Iraqis, but I???m sure it would be used to pursue further funding, to kill more fathers and sons.

Sent by Tom Gibbons | 8:25 AM ET | 09-25-2007

You may find this publication interesting as it pertains to this discussion. It is the "Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations" and is available as a PDF (Acrobat Reader format) from the IRS website:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1828.pdf

Of particular interest is the section beginning on page 5: "Jeopardizing Tax-Exempt Status". Among the items that can contribute to losing tax-exempt status are lobbying (trying to influence legislation) and certain political campaign activity. There are a number of examples of what is OK and what can lead to losing tax-exempt status.

Sent by Jim Dodd | 9:12 AM ET | 09-25-2007

Rev. George F. Regas, a false preacher, blasphemied the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in his sermon. Regas actually is a wolf in cloth of sheep. Such a place hosting an enemy of the cross must not be called the Lord's Bride! As Christ, our Lord, has purchased His church with His blood, making her completely pure and perfect.

Sent by Esther | 10:37 AM ET | 09-25-2007

I am not good at debating but I am good at looking things up on the Internet.

Here is a link to the text of the sermon under discussion here:

http://www.allsaints-pas.org/archives/sermons/(10-31-04)%20If%20Jesus%20Debated.pdf

Sent by Jim Dodd | 11:23 AM ET | 09-25-2007

Either I'm in trouble. Or organized religion is in trouble. Either way. I'm staying away from both.

Sent by dans | 4:53 PM ET | 09-25-2007

Esther, cool your jets a bit there. There is no such thing as God, anyhow.

Sent by Jonathon | 6:00 PM ET | 09-25-2007

The church is appropriately responding to the IRS, not that an apology would mean anything, but let's not forget the appalling implications of Reverend Regas standing in as Jesus' mouthpiece and inappropriately manipulating the hearts of his parishioners. This forgettable sermon doesn't deserve the press it's getting.

Sent by Mike Peterson | 11:34 AM ET | 09-29-2007

just someone else trying to protetct the clown in the white house

Sent by Jim | 12:29 AM ET | 10-01-2007

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