Bill in Congress Would Protect Churches from IRS

Bill in Congress Would Protect Churches from IRS
     A bill in Congress to protect churches from the IRS is highly praised by Concerned Women for America. The “Free Speech Restoration Act” (HR 235) invokes the First Amendment to allow pastors to freely express political views in their churches without fear of losing the church’s tax-exempt status. The bill would allow ministers to say whatever they want in a sermon or homily during the service. It is sponsored by Walter Jones (R-North Carolina) and replaces another bill by Bill Thomas (R-California) which has been defeated and would have done more harm than good, according to CWA.
     “I’m pleased that the language [in the Thomas bill] was pulled,” said a CWA spokesman, “but it’s a complete disgrace that the God-hating liberals in Congress are able to get away with muzzling the nation’s pastors. What’s worse is that most of those pastors like it that way. With the notable exception of the Southern Baptist Convention, every major religious body in America either opposed the Jones bill or was silent. That’s because cowardly pastors enjoy being able to hide behind the IRS as an excuse to keep hiding their light under a bushel.”
      Nearly all Republican Congressman support the Jones bill, according to CWA.