The Christian Right and the IRS (Clash of the Titans)

On September 28th the socially conservative Alliance Defense Fund is going to goad, stoke and provoke a federal agency that most Americans hope will never, ever take notice of them. That agency would be the Internal Revenue Service and let me add that you must really be devoted to an issue, or certain of victory, or a masochist it you want to publicly draw a line in the sand with this office of government.
The ADF wishes to protest a 54-year ban on tax-exempt religious organizations offering endorsements of politicians and more generally engaging in political activities. To this end, it has rounded up a few dozen pastors in twenty states who are vowing to advocate on behalf of given candidates from their pulpits.
<snip>
In any case, this development calls attention to how central a role the courts are going to play in coming arguments about the Wall of Separation. On the back stroke, it also confirms something that many students of right-wing Christian groups know very well. Namely, that these Americans are ready, willing and able to engage in lengthy, complex and costly legal battles in an effort to achieve their ends.
If those secular believers and secular nonbelievers ever get around to lunch they might chat about how to raise tens of millions of dollars to hire skilled legal teams whose talent and commitment to the cause must be equal to that of their adversaries. They will need to confront an opponent which is actively looking for a protracted legal scrum and is so supremely confident of its strength that it is actually daring the IRS go ahead and make its day.
<snip>
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/georgetown/2008/09/the_christian_right_and_the_ir.html

I have my money on the IRS. Mammon might just trump God. That is the organization that will get you. They are scarier than the CIA, FBI, and NSA combined.
:popcorn:

What would be more effective, taking copious notes and reporting them, or getting up and walking out if they go political?

and yes, it's a business to them. Forget all that sissy stuff about helping the poor. The poor dress funny and smell bad. Besides, the parking lot needs to be expanded and the Sunday School areas need more rooms. Also, the wedding business is picking up. They're going to need to add a couple of smaller chapels and maybe tack on a function room for the receptions! A one stop wedding shopping church! Think of the kickbacks if we get into the bridal registry business, too!

Ever see the inside of one of those places? The only religious symbols are in gold and diamonds around the necks of the more prosperous women.

They should have been put out of business years ago. If it takes the IRS to do it, then we'll all have a reason to be grateful to the IRS, something they'll find a pleasant change.