Legal group pledges to defend pro-Question 1 churches targeted by ‘frivolous’ IRS complaints

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Portland, Maine, Nov 13, 2009 / 03:09 am (CNA).- Opponents of Question 1, the Maine ballot initiative which vetoed the state legislature’s recognition of same-sex “marriages,” are encouraging their supporters to file IRS complaints against churches. In response, the Alliance Defense Fund has attacked such suits as “frivolous” and offered its help to targeted churches. Question 1 passed by 53 to 47 percent, with significant support from the Catholic Diocese of Portland.

Scott Fish, Communications Director of Stand for Marriage Maine, told CNA the day after the vote that Catholic support was “very crucial” to the outcome.

“The Yes on 1 campaign, had much support from Catholics statewide, working hand-in-hand with Evangelical churches throughout Maine, as well as other denominations,” Fish said.

Upset by the results, Maine Marriage Equality is calling on same-sex “marriage” supporters to file complaints with the IRS about churches that supported the definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman.

Erik Stanley, Senior Legal Counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund, criticized the complainants to the IRS.

“This is an all-too-obvious attempt to use the IRS to intimidate pastors and churches as a means of punishment and to get them to be quiet,” he said in a press release. “We encourage the churches of Maine not to be intimidated and to contact us if they are contacted by the IRS.”

“Pastors and churches have a right to speak about biblical truths from the pulpit without fear of punishment. They can encourage their congregations to take a stand for marriage and can directly support legislative issues like Question 1 without running afoul of IRS rules,” he continued.

Stanley charged that groups that want to “redefine” marriage are “intentionally threatening” churches’ tax-exempt status to promote “fear, intimidation and disinformation to silence their voice.”

“ADF will stand with these churches to defend their right to free speech and religious expression against these baseless scare tactics,” he stated.

The ADF says that support of the kind which churches showed for Question 1 is “almost always allowable” by the IRS.

Some religious groups, such as one calling itself Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry, opposed Question 1. No IRS complaints against them have been reported.

Comments: 8

Subscriber comments:

Published by: John
UK 11/16/2009 08:53 AM EST

No problem. As long as churches have not interfered with the political process their tax-free status is safe. Democracy is majority rule, but a function of goverment is to protect minorities. As long as churches have not undermined democracy or persecuted minorities their business practice and profits are protected from taxation.

Published by: Rory Flick
California 11/14/2009 01:05 PM EST

The subject matter here is by legal definition a violation of law by this group. Harrassment! This falls in the realm of the new hate crime laws. By calling on supporters to file frivolous complaints against churches who don't support same sex marriage is called conspiracy to harrass a religious body! Violating Law and the 1st amendment. This action has catagorized the same sex marriage supporters as militant radicals.

Published by: Charles Turner
Buffalo NY USA 11/13/2009 05:26 PM EST

I of course understand that marraiage is a 7000 year old relationship between one man and one women. This is part of a civiliation, and it makes children, who NEED a mother and a father But I have a honest straightforward question for people that want to change this Question: How does two men consumate a marriage. How does two women consumate a marriage. This is a basic part of the marriage and should be answered. THe question in NOT crude, dirty etc. but honest.

Published by: Mike Jarman
Hershey, PA 11/13/2009 02:25 PM EST

Uh, Adam...don't look now but the "government legislating the Church's morality" is EXACTLY what's happening with the D.C. city council right now.

Published by: chuck
apex nc 11/13/2009 12:07 PM EST

The constitution does not contain any sort of language such as "wall of seperation" between church and state. The constitution clearly prohibits the federal government from forming a national church, supported by taxes and legislation. It is just as clear in its protection of the free exercise of religion upon which there may be no infringement. This country was founded by people wanting to practice their religion freely. The idea that they would have prevented the practice of one's religion within the government is ludicrous.

Published by: Chuck
Alamogordo, NM 11/13/2009 10:14 AM EST

It seems that there are two sets of rules today, and that even the discussion about Catholic moral teaching being heavily restricted by their opponents. Many of the attacks rely on emotional arguments, attacking science and any religious authority that stands in their way.

Published by: Francis
Wareham MA 11/13/2009 09:52 AM EST

Adam Said: "this is not a theocracy". True, but the USA isn't a oligarchy either!! This nation was founded on Judeo Christian principals as was most of the western world. The USA has been governed for over 200 years by the U.S. Constitution, the 50 state Constitutions, common law, natural law, and most importantely by WE THE PEOPLE!. The homosexuals and their liberal allies are a small yet well funded, well entrenched, and a powerful militant minority. Yet they are the MINORITY, and a handful of elitist liberal judges, politicians, media, and organizations cannot eliminate or tyranize the majority, or basic truths that come from God and his natural laws that our founding fathers based our Constitution and our country on.

Published by: adam
portland 11/13/2009 07:51 AM EST

Awesome. I know you disagree, but this is not a theocracy. Religion should be free from the government to free religion, just as government should be free from religion. A wall of separation, as the founding fathers put it. It goes both ways, unless you'd be cool with the government legislating the Church's morality, as the Church is clearly cool with legislating the government's.

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