Christians Engaged

IRS: Bible = Republican

“Bible teachings are typically affiliated with the [Republican] party and candidates.”

That may sound like a line from a liberal candidate’s speech when running for office, but it is actually a pronouncement from the Internal Revenue Service!

In an IRS letter that you really have to read to believe, the agency violated its own regulations in denying tax exempt status because a nonprofit organization, Christians Engaged, teaches biblical values. It also illegally discriminated against the organization’s religious viewpoint by claiming that biblical teachings are necessarily Republican.

Christians Engaged simply encourages citizens to pray for our nation and elected officials regularly, vote in every election to impact our culture, and engage in some form of political activity for the furtherance of the nation.  It is nonpartisan and holds a weekly Bible study, sends weekly prayer alerts, and organizes statewide and area prayer gatherings to pray for local, state, and national government officials.

It encourages those who are unfamiliar with the political process by “educat[ing] believers on the national issues that are central to our belief in the Bible as the inerrant Word of God,” and provides training, resources, and mentorships that help them navigate the political process in order to “promote [their] values or get involved with [their] passion.”

But that’s too much for the politicized IRS.  In a detailed letter, the IRS claimed that such actions prevent Christians Engaged from identifying as a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization.

History Repeating?

If all this sounds familiar, it’s because it is eerily reminiscent of a scandal that made headlines during President Obama’s administration when the IRS, under the leadership of Lois Lerner, was accused of targeting “tea party” groups.  In 2013, Congress held hearings to investigate claims that the IRS specifically targeted conservative organizations.

First Liberty Takes Action

In June 2021, First Liberty appealed the IRS’s determination against Christians Engaged.  In early July, just after Americans celebrated Independence Day, the IRS reversed course and granted Christians Engaged tax-exempt status!

“This is truly great news for our client, as well as religious organizations and churches across America,” said Lea Patterson, Counsel for First Liberty Institute. “We are grateful the IRS changed course to bring its decision into line with the Constitution and its own regulations.”

Christians Engaged President Bunni Pounds said, “I am incredibly thankful to the IRS for doing the right thing, and we look forward to continuing our mission of educating more followers of Jesus to pray for our nation and to be civically engaged. When we stand up, our republic works for all Americans.”