After President Joe Biden’s administration tried to discriminate against Texans because of their religious beliefs, the federal officials have now changed their minds.
Biden’s Internal Revenue Service recently withheld tax exemption status from Christians Engaged, a Texas nonprofit that “exists to educate and empower Christians to pray for our nation and elected officials, vote, and be civically engaged.”
The reason for the rejection: IRS Exempt Organizations Director Stephen A. Martin accused the organization of “prohibited political campaign intervention”—their “illegal intervention” being educating Christians on what the Scriptures say about national issues.
And, according to Martin, “[B]ible teachings are typically affiliated with the [Republican] party and candidates.”
The decision sparked an appeal and nationwide attention.
“The IRS states in an official letter that Biblical values are exclusively Republican. That might be news to President Biden, who is often described as basing his political ideology on his religious beliefs,” said Lea Patterson, counsel for First Liberty Institute, who is representing Christians Engaged. “Only a politicized IRS could see Americans who pray for their nation, vote in every election, and work to engage others in the political process as a threat. The IRS violated its own regulations in denying tax exempt status because Christians Engaged teaches biblical values.”
On Wednesday, First Liberty announced the IRS and Director Martin reversed their decision and granted tax exemption to the group.
“This is truly great news for our client, as well as religious organizations and churches across America,” said Patterson. “We are grateful the IRS changed course to bring its decision into line with the Constitution and its own regulations.”
“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,” said Christians Engaged President Bunni Pounds. “When we stand up, our republic works for all Americans.”
