Group asks IRS to review Liberty’s tax-exempt status
A group that backs the separation of church and state asked the Internal Revenue Service today 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 the Lynchburg school, 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.
The university did not respond to a request for comment. But The Associated Press reported that Mathew Staver, dean of Liberty's law school, called it a "frivolous" complaint and said the school has not banned the club, which still can meet on campus.
"American United simply doesn't know the facts of the case," Staver said, according to AP. "They are filing this to promote their own fundraising agenda and goals, which is frankly disconcerting."
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."
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The tax code prevents churches from becoming a political platform. Jesse Jackson’s church and Sharpton’s church have waked a thin line, as they often have polictical based sermons. The IRS has warned them of their tax exempt status and the law that forbids political promotion under the guise of church.
Liberty is in the same boat. regardless of their charter. The IRS code is very clear. Liberty can not be a tax exempt school and directly promote one party over another. The gray area is in the code and the status of the club. It was not kicked off campus, but it is not recognized. If it does not receive school funding, that may be a sticking point. Does a club on campus, but not recognized qualify as balanced within the tax code. interesting issue.
Why then you’ll have to take the tax exempt status from every single liberal University, public or private, (and that’s most) across the nation that refuses to allow a pro-life club on campus or a Christian club because it violates the school’s “discrimination code” to require sexual purity. Liberty is right and the law is behind them. The IRS will do nothing. It can do nothing because Liberty is perfectly within its legal rights to require that clubs adhere to Liberty’s Christian mission or not use the LU name… Simple as that. Democrats aren’t banned, Liberty simply won’t recognize the Dem club because the DNC’s platform is contrary to the biblical principles Liberty upholds in it’s charter.
the question is where is the separation of church and state in the constitution. bad law is the result of good intenttion not following the frame work lay out for us. so a group that live by a lie can never rest or the truth will come out. Let get the dept. of edcaution out of school and let the local school broad had control and see how long group like this grow
Tiaorg… it is well within Liberty’s rights to do so, but it’s also within the legitimate authority of the IRS to collect taxes on the profits it generates. Liberty is far from being a simple Bible college or place of religious studies. It is a money making political machine.
tiaorg, you’re right- Liberty is completely within its rights. They just need to cough up the tax dollars that every other lobbying firm in the country has to pay.
Falwell’s crew is the most un-christian Christian group around. What would Jesus do? For starters, he’d probably vomit at the thought of the Falwells “representing” him.
HAha… I hope the IRS does yank their tax-exempt status. Given the extent that both Falwells have endeavored to influence and become embroiled in politics (though Jerry was far more successful than Jr. has been or, I suspect, ever will be), I think they’ve crossed the line from evangelism to lobbying many times. This latest episode is merely another facet of their political agenda.
The chickens, they are coming home to roost.
Please, American’s United. What a fundraising scam. This is not a political issue, it’s a moral issue. It’s in Liberty’s Charter that the school will not lend its name to any club that supports abortion homicide or same sex marriage. Liberty is perfectly within its rights and American’s United knows it. They just want to get their name in the headlines for $$$$. Way to take a stand Liberty U!! You do all life, marriage and freedom loving American’s proud.
Way to go, Americans United. Dr. F says: “Liberty stands for certain core values, not for a political party.“ Unless, of course, the political party is Republican.
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