Most people I talk to about their IRS problem have already built the worst-case scenario in their head. The reality is usually much more manageable. I'm Darrin Mish, and I've been representing taxpayers before the IRS for 32 years. Here's what actually tends to happen.<\/p>\n
The Americans United for Separation of Church and State has urged the IRS to investigate Pastor Paul
\nBlair for alleged violation of the federal law that prohibits any church from endorsing or opposing
\na political candidate in elective public office. The call which was by the watchdog organization in
\na letter to the IRS last month was precipitated by Pastor Blair\u2019s email to his parishioners ahead of
\na rally for Oklahoma state rep Sally Kern in which Blair encouraged them to make a stand against the
\nbid by the \u2018homosexual lobby\u2019 to take over the elected position.<\/p>\n
Rep. Kern and her supporters held a rally called \u2018Rally for Sally\u2019 in June and Pastor Blair is
\naccused of using Reclaiming Oklahoma for Christ, his non-profit organization to raise support and
\nfunds for Kern, who is seeking re-election to her fourth term. In his email, Pastor Blair declared
\nthat if the gay rights groups succeed in getting their choice of candidate elected, it would serve
\nas a warning shot of all elected officials who defend Biblical values. Pastor Blair went on to
\nfurther urge parishioners to support Kern regardless of where their constituency might be because
\nonce an elected representative takes office his or her voting \u2018affects all Oklahomans\u2019.<\/p>\n
Regarding this matter, the IRS guide states, \u2018section 501(c)(3) organizations, including churches
\nand religious organizations, are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in,
\nor intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for
\nelective public office\u2019.<\/p>\n
In his letter to the IRS, Americans United director Barry Lynn said that when churches violate the
\nIRS law, they should face the consequences. But Pastor Blair has shot back at Lynn and branded him
\na \u2018self-anointed tattle tale\u2019. He insisted he never explicitly told anyone who to vote for.
\nInstead, Pastor Blair accused Lynn of going after conservative causes all over the country, causing
\nintimidation in an attempt to silence pastors. He further reiterates that neither he nor his
\norganization have officially supported any candidate nor gone into politics but that they do go into
\ncultural issues.<\/p>\n
Lynn disagrees. He says Pastor Blair knows very well that he has violated the law in what he
\ndescribed as \u2018an open and shut violation\u2019.<\/p>\n
Rep Kern is facing Brittany Novotny, a transgender candidate endorsed by gay rights activist Tim
\nGill, who leads a national movement to elect candidates who will support LGBT issues.<\/p>\n