The IRS has notified the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church that it is opening an investigation to determine if the Miami church violated the conditions of its tax-exempt status during a rally for Sen. John F. Kerry, D-Mass., that was held as part of a church service when Kerry was running for president.
In the February 15 letter, the IRS said that the inquiry was prompted by the October 13, 2004, publication by Tax Analysts of a press release from Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The release quotes Rev. Gaston E. Smith, pastor of the church, as telling a crowd that "to bring our country out of despair, despondency and disgust, God has sent John Kerry."
In a series of 21 questions attached to the letter, the IRS asked the church for specific details about the October 10, 2004, service. It instructed the church to "explain in detail the purpose of allowing John Kerry to make a political campaign speech to the congregation during an official church service."
First it was the NAACP. Thank god they are fighting the service on this one. Now, the IRS has targeted a chruch that held a political rally.
I am wondering how long until the IRS starts to investigate pro-Bush churches?
I wanted to apologize to Jerome for stealing some of his much deserved thunder yesterday. Both of us posted diaries on the GM situation. I promise I will use the search function in the future.