Maine churches threatened with IRS complaints for supporting marriage

Question 1 opponents encourage frivolous attempts to revoke tax-exempt status; ADF standing ready with free legal assistance
Alliance Defense Fund
Thursday, November 12, 2009

LEAWOOD, Kan. — Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund are offering free legal assistance to Maine churches that become the targets of Internal Revenue Service complaints in the wake of Question 1. Question 1 opponents are actively encouraging their followers to report churches to the IRS in the wake of their unsuccessful effort to block voter approval of the measure, which restored the legal definition of marriage in the state to one man and one woman.

“Pastors and churches have a right to speak about biblical truths from the pulpit without fear of punishment. They can encourage their congregations to take a stand for marriage and can directly support legislative issues like Question 1 without running afoul of IRS rules,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Erik Stanley. “Groups that want to redefine marriage are intentionally threatening the tax-exempt status of churches through fear, intimidation, and disinformation to silence their voice. ADF will stand with these churches to defend their right to free speech and religious expression against these baseless scare tactics.” the rest