A group that backs the separation of church and state asked the Internal Revenue Service yesterday to review Liberty University's tax-exempt status because the university revoked recognition of a student-run Democratic organization.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State said Liberty University, as a tax-exempt institution, should not be allowed to support one political party over another.
Barry W. Lynn, executive director of the Washington-based organization, said "if the school insists on pushing policies that favor Republicans over Democrats, it should have to surrender its tax exemption."
Liberty University, which describes itself as the world's fastest-growing evangelical university, revoked its recognition of the Democratic club because it said the goals of the Democratic Party are contrary to the university's conservative principles. It cited, particularly, the Democratic Party's abortion-rights stance.
Liberty University has had a Republican club for many years. That club continues to receive recognition.
Lynn noted that political clubs recognized by the university are eligible for funding through student activity fees.
"As a tax-exempt institution, Liberty is barred from intervening in elections or showing preference for one political party over another," Lynn wrote in a letter to the IRS. "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," he added.
Mathew Staver, dean of the Liberty University School of Law, described the complaint as "outrageous and bogus" and said Liberty is preparing an IRS complaint against Americans United for using its tax-exempt status to attack only those organizations it disagrees with.
"This was the straw that broke the camel's back," he said, accusing Americans United of harassment.
In an opinion piece on the university's Web site, Jerry Falwell Jr., chancellor of the university, said the school's position has been misconstrued.
"The university has not banned Democrats from campus. Nor has the Democrat club been banned from meeting. And never have I said that a person cannot be a Christian and a Democrat," Falwell wrote.
"Liberty University will not lend its support to a student group that advances causes contrary to its mission," he wrote.
"Liberty stands for certain core values, not for a political party."
Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.
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