Group asks IRS to review Liberty University’s tax-exempt status
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Accusations and counter-complaints flew Wednesday between Liberty University and a religious-diversity group in Washington, D.C.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State said it would ask the Internal Revenue Service to investigate Liberty University’s tax-exempt status because the school revoked its recognition of the College Democrats club.
Liberty Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. said the university would, in turn, ask the IRS to investigate the complainers, whom he called “a Democratic front group.”
“We are planning to file a complaint against AU,” Falwell said, because the group has the same tax-exempt status Liberty holds under IRS code 501(c)(3) for religious and educational groups, Falwell said.
“AU seems to only file complaints against other 501(c)(3) groups that don’t support AU’s liberal agenda,” Falwell said.
“We have noticed a pattern of them favoring the Democratic Party over the years and we have documented that pattern,” Falwell said.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State said in a letter to the IRS that “Liberty University may have violated federal tax law in denying recognition to this club while extending it to a Republican organization.”
Liberty’s revocation of the Democratic club’s status means it won’t receive funding from the university that apparently will be available to the College Republican club, the church-separation group said.
Because campus political clubs work on behalf of candidates, “the university’s decision offers Republican candidates a type of in-kind contribution that is not being made available to Democratic candidates,” said the AU letter, which was signed by Barry Lynn, its executive director.
“By banning a Democratic club while permitting a Republican club to exist and offering funding to the latter but not the former, university officials appear to be operating in violation of federal tax law,” Lynn’s letter said.
Falwell has repeatedly said the College Democrats club was not banned. It is permitted to exist as an unofficial club and its members can meet in unused classrooms, the student center or cafeteria, Falwell said.
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Reader Reactions
Why do left wing nut jobs think that they can stand against God?
Oh wait they are nut jobs that why.
“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.“ -Winston Churchill
Missed the point again, jedipunter.
Oh, no Lamont. You’ve misunderestimated us. We believe the National Review is about just as credible. Have you reached that conclusion yet?
Really, your quality is shrinking, Lamont. Maybe the sunlight’s not so good for your.
Molehill McCrispy - This is not complicated. Just follow the money.
Dipstick Crisp -
That is what is wrong with your liberals. Believe everything you read from the left-wing PR’s.
I bet you think the National Enquirer is true too!
Lamont - “Oh, how many times have we seen this story? “Group asks IRS to investigate LU”? It is has been 35+ years and ain’t happened yet!“
AU Press Release - “The Falwell family has a history of misusing tax-exempt institutions for political ends. In 1993, Jerry Falwell’s “Old Time Gospel Hour” had to pay the IRS $50,000 and lost its tax exemption for the years 1986 and 1987 for engaging in political activity.“
You need to get out more often, Lamont. The sun’s good for your shadow.
Lamont’s still hawking his antiquated, pre-Idiot wares.
The problem’s not government, the problem’s lack of democracy.
jedipunter’s third law: All non-profits will decay without exploiting some issue.
jedipunter reactionary logic: Since all profit-making will decay without exploiting some people, accuse all non-profit making of exploitation.
jedipunter cynical conclusion: Everybody’s an exploiter.
Principed stand?? Pssshh. It’s all about the money - AU looks at this as a nice fund raising opportunity.
The whole thing is an example of the third law of thermodynamics - entropy (disorder) always increases in closed systems.
I know, let’s make a mountain out of a mole hill!
I’m so proud of Americans United for taking such a principled stand regarding this controversy. I encourage everyone participating in this forum to join & support our local AU Chapter. For more information about how to join locally, just go to: au.org. Or, write to AU-Lynchburg Chapter, P.O.Box 10024, Lynchburg, VA 24506.
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