Post by alfie on Jun 5, 2009 18:36:03 GMT -5
We're Now Suing the IRS for Trying to Silence the Church!
We’re standing up to the IRS on behalf of
churches and religious groups everywhere.
The lawsuit has been filed.
Now we just need your help to WIN!
Donate Now!
Dear Friend of Catholic Answers,
It’s official.
On April 3, 2009, Catholic Answers filed suit in federal court against the Internal Revenue Service for violating our right to free speech.
Yes, you read that correctly. We’re standing up to the IRS.
Not just for ourselves, but on behalf of non-profit organizations and churches all across the country that are constantly harassed, threatened, intimidated, and persecuted by the IRS.
Before I go any further, let me briefly recap the story and explain how we got to this point.
A Brief Recap
Not long ago, the IRS went after Catholic Answers and imposed fines on the ministry.
Our crime?
I wrote in one of my E-letters that 2004 presidential candidate John Kerry shouldn’t be allowed to receive Holy Communion because of his pro-abortion voting record and public advocacy of child-killing.
Now, it’s important to note that at no time did I or anyone at Catholic Answers tell people whom to vote for or whom not to vote for.
We merely stated our view that pro-abortion Catholic politicians should not be allowed to receive Holy Communion.
Well, for this simple statement of Catholic belief and practice . . .
The IRS Slapped Us with Fines and Taxes!
Turns out, it was Frances Kissling of the pro-abortion “Catholics for a Free Choice” who sicced the IRS pit bulls on us.
She hated our very successful Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics, which was read by more than 20 million American voters—and merely educated Catholics on the “five non-negotiable” moral issues of our time (abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, human cloning, and homosexual “marriage”).
The voter’s guide did not mention any candidates or political parties. It simply talked about Catholic teaching on these five major issues.
For that reason, the IRS actually cleared the guide of any violations.
It did, however, come after us for my remark about John Kerry and Holy Communion. It claimed that this was “intervening” in the election—which is preposterous.
And Therein Lies the Root of the Problem . . .
You see, for many decades the IRS has been using very vague criteria to intimidate churches, non-profit organizations, and ministries into silence on moral issues that are being debated in the political realm.
The intimidation has become so bad that nowadays, most churches and non-profits in America are scared to death even to talk about moral issues that are deemed “political” (such as abortion).
If you’re wondering why you don’t hear more about abortion in your parish, especially during election time, this is why. It’s IRS intimidation.
For instance, in many cases, Catholic parishioners have been forbidden by their pastors or diocesan leaders to distribute our Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics.
All of this tail-between-the-legs cowering comes from the IRS’ ability to intimidate churches and non-profits into silence on political issues.
And it’s simply wrong.
For the IRS to claim that a non-profit organization cannot even so much as talk about a political candidate or ballot issue is something that must be strenuously opposed.
So, on the advice of our attorneys, we decided that we must litigate this erroneous standard in order to fight for the rights of all non-profit organizations, which includes all churches.
And that’s exactly what we’ve done.
On April 3, 2009, our battle with the IRS officially began.
We’re suing the IRS for violating our First Amendment rights . . . for slapping us with a fine for exercising our free speech rights . . . and for intimidating all non-profit organizations into silence.
But to Win This Lawsuit,
We’re Going to Need Your Help
And that’s why I’m writing to you today.
To undertake the lawsuit, we estimate that we need to raise approximately $100,000—which, because of the economy, we simply don’t have right now.
Therefore, we’re going to need everyone’s help to pay the costs of this lawsuit—and achieve justice for America’s churches. Click here to donate to this important project!
You see, we’re in this fight not only for Catholic Answers, but for all religious organizations—and especially for the Catholic Church in America.
The IRS intimidates organizations like ours all the time.
It especially threatens churches with taking away their tax-exempt status.
The IRS has a long record of making churches and religious organizations think they’re not allowed to say anything about political candidates and moral issues—in any manner whatsoever.
It makes you think that if you do, you’ll lose your tax-exempt status.
Thus, the IRS is effectively holding every non-profit organization in America hostage.
Everyone knows that if Christians today had half the fortitude of the early Christians—who were willing to die rather than compromise their religion—the enemy would be powerless against such faith.
Well, this is our opportunity to prove that we do have such faith.
This Is Our Time to Stand Up to the IRS
and Say “Don’t Tread on Me!”
That’s what we’re doing. We’ve already filed the lawsuit, and the court battle will begin soon.
But to fight this battle effectively takes money.
And right now, we just don’t have it.
That’s why I’m counting on you to come through for us and let us know that we do have your support . . . that we can pursue this lawsuit all the way . . . and that you will not back down in the face of the IRS and its intimidation tactics.
If We Don’t Fight for Our Freedoms,
We Will Lose Them
And we’ll have no one to blame but ourselves.
I know you don’t want to leave a legacy of tyranny to your children and grandchildren.
Neither do I.
I’ve fought too long and too hard to give up now.
And there is no better time than now for you to support us in this fight.
If you can send $100 . . . $50 . . . even $35—it will go a long way in enabling us to keep this lawsuit going strong. Click here to donate now!
Best of all, your donation is tax-deductible!
But if we let the IRS walk all over the Church and non-profit apostolates such as Catholic Answers, soon we will be outlawed . . .
Because They Don’t Like What We Say!
Perhaps you’ve heard of the so-called “hate crimes” in legislation now before Congress. Some people want to make it illegal to criticize or oppose homosexuality, for example, in any way.
And one of the ways they’ll punish organizations like ours—as well as the Church in general—is by taking away our tax-exempt status.
But if we win this lawsuit, we will set a legal precedent that holds that the IRS cannot prohibit speech on religious or moral issues.
That’s how important this lawsuit is.
It’s not a minor point of law.
And so I urge you to support Catholic Answers in this fight against the tyranny of the IRS.
Your gift today—in any amount—will be a clear testimony of your faith, your dedication, and your willingness to sacrifice for the faith. Click here to send us your gift!
I know you’ll say yes—and I thank you in advance for helping us do the right thing.
Sincerely in Christ the King,
Karl Keating
President, Catholic Answers
P.S. Now that our lawsuit against the IRS has been filed, we need your help to win!
The Church in America has been silenced for too long.
We can stop the intimidation with this lawsuit.
We can win. But only if we have your help.
Are you with us?
Donate Now!
This Rock -- Free Offer
We’re standing up to the IRS on behalf of
churches and religious groups everywhere.
The lawsuit has been filed.
Now we just need your help to WIN!
Donate Now!
Dear Friend of Catholic Answers,
It’s official.
On April 3, 2009, Catholic Answers filed suit in federal court against the Internal Revenue Service for violating our right to free speech.
Yes, you read that correctly. We’re standing up to the IRS.
Not just for ourselves, but on behalf of non-profit organizations and churches all across the country that are constantly harassed, threatened, intimidated, and persecuted by the IRS.
Before I go any further, let me briefly recap the story and explain how we got to this point.
A Brief Recap
Not long ago, the IRS went after Catholic Answers and imposed fines on the ministry.
Our crime?
I wrote in one of my E-letters that 2004 presidential candidate John Kerry shouldn’t be allowed to receive Holy Communion because of his pro-abortion voting record and public advocacy of child-killing.
Now, it’s important to note that at no time did I or anyone at Catholic Answers tell people whom to vote for or whom not to vote for.
We merely stated our view that pro-abortion Catholic politicians should not be allowed to receive Holy Communion.
Well, for this simple statement of Catholic belief and practice . . .
The IRS Slapped Us with Fines and Taxes!
Turns out, it was Frances Kissling of the pro-abortion “Catholics for a Free Choice” who sicced the IRS pit bulls on us.
She hated our very successful Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics, which was read by more than 20 million American voters—and merely educated Catholics on the “five non-negotiable” moral issues of our time (abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, human cloning, and homosexual “marriage”).
The voter’s guide did not mention any candidates or political parties. It simply talked about Catholic teaching on these five major issues.
For that reason, the IRS actually cleared the guide of any violations.
It did, however, come after us for my remark about John Kerry and Holy Communion. It claimed that this was “intervening” in the election—which is preposterous.
And Therein Lies the Root of the Problem . . .
You see, for many decades the IRS has been using very vague criteria to intimidate churches, non-profit organizations, and ministries into silence on moral issues that are being debated in the political realm.
The intimidation has become so bad that nowadays, most churches and non-profits in America are scared to death even to talk about moral issues that are deemed “political” (such as abortion).
If you’re wondering why you don’t hear more about abortion in your parish, especially during election time, this is why. It’s IRS intimidation.
For instance, in many cases, Catholic parishioners have been forbidden by their pastors or diocesan leaders to distribute our Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics.
All of this tail-between-the-legs cowering comes from the IRS’ ability to intimidate churches and non-profits into silence on political issues.
And it’s simply wrong.
For the IRS to claim that a non-profit organization cannot even so much as talk about a political candidate or ballot issue is something that must be strenuously opposed.
So, on the advice of our attorneys, we decided that we must litigate this erroneous standard in order to fight for the rights of all non-profit organizations, which includes all churches.
And that’s exactly what we’ve done.
On April 3, 2009, our battle with the IRS officially began.
We’re suing the IRS for violating our First Amendment rights . . . for slapping us with a fine for exercising our free speech rights . . . and for intimidating all non-profit organizations into silence.
But to Win This Lawsuit,
We’re Going to Need Your Help
And that’s why I’m writing to you today.
To undertake the lawsuit, we estimate that we need to raise approximately $100,000—which, because of the economy, we simply don’t have right now.
Therefore, we’re going to need everyone’s help to pay the costs of this lawsuit—and achieve justice for America’s churches. Click here to donate to this important project!
You see, we’re in this fight not only for Catholic Answers, but for all religious organizations—and especially for the Catholic Church in America.
The IRS intimidates organizations like ours all the time.
It especially threatens churches with taking away their tax-exempt status.
The IRS has a long record of making churches and religious organizations think they’re not allowed to say anything about political candidates and moral issues—in any manner whatsoever.
It makes you think that if you do, you’ll lose your tax-exempt status.
Thus, the IRS is effectively holding every non-profit organization in America hostage.
Everyone knows that if Christians today had half the fortitude of the early Christians—who were willing to die rather than compromise their religion—the enemy would be powerless against such faith.
Well, this is our opportunity to prove that we do have such faith.
This Is Our Time to Stand Up to the IRS
and Say “Don’t Tread on Me!”
That’s what we’re doing. We’ve already filed the lawsuit, and the court battle will begin soon.
But to fight this battle effectively takes money.
And right now, we just don’t have it.
That’s why I’m counting on you to come through for us and let us know that we do have your support . . . that we can pursue this lawsuit all the way . . . and that you will not back down in the face of the IRS and its intimidation tactics.
If We Don’t Fight for Our Freedoms,
We Will Lose Them
And we’ll have no one to blame but ourselves.
I know you don’t want to leave a legacy of tyranny to your children and grandchildren.
Neither do I.
I’ve fought too long and too hard to give up now.
And there is no better time than now for you to support us in this fight.
If you can send $100 . . . $50 . . . even $35—it will go a long way in enabling us to keep this lawsuit going strong. Click here to donate now!
Best of all, your donation is tax-deductible!
But if we let the IRS walk all over the Church and non-profit apostolates such as Catholic Answers, soon we will be outlawed . . .
Because They Don’t Like What We Say!
Perhaps you’ve heard of the so-called “hate crimes” in legislation now before Congress. Some people want to make it illegal to criticize or oppose homosexuality, for example, in any way.
And one of the ways they’ll punish organizations like ours—as well as the Church in general—is by taking away our tax-exempt status.
But if we win this lawsuit, we will set a legal precedent that holds that the IRS cannot prohibit speech on religious or moral issues.
That’s how important this lawsuit is.
It’s not a minor point of law.
And so I urge you to support Catholic Answers in this fight against the tyranny of the IRS.
Your gift today—in any amount—will be a clear testimony of your faith, your dedication, and your willingness to sacrifice for the faith. Click here to send us your gift!
I know you’ll say yes—and I thank you in advance for helping us do the right thing.
Sincerely in Christ the King,
Karl Keating
President, Catholic Answers
P.S. Now that our lawsuit against the IRS has been filed, we need your help to win!
The Church in America has been silenced for too long.
We can stop the intimidation with this lawsuit.
We can win. But only if we have your help.
Are you with us?
Donate Now!
This Rock -- Free Offer
