The Internal Revenue Service was caught discriminating against a Christian group in June, and has rapidly and sheepishly reversed course after a massive backlash.
Saying outrageously that Biblical and Christian teachings are “typically affiliated with” the GOP and its candidates, the IRS last month denied tax-exampt status to Christians Engaged, a Texas-based nonprofit that promotes voting and political involvement on the part of religious citizens.
Imagine the IRS denying such status to a Muslim or Jewish group, saying those groups tend to vote Democrat.
The denial of the group’s 501(c)(3) application was reversed after an appeal, conservative legal group First Liberty announced on July 7, as reported by the Washington Examiner.
“This is truly great news for our client, as well as religious organizations and churches across America,” read a statement from 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 she looks forward to advancing the group’s mission, now that leftist bureaucrats in the U.S. government have been at least temporarily foiled.
“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,” she said.
While Christians Engaged and First Liberty were appealing the IRS ruling, top Republican lawmakers sent a letter to IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig demanding he turn over records relating to groups that were granted or denied tax-exempt status.
