LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY nebris)

From Hot Potato Mash

The AP writes that "The IRS is increasingly being asked to referee disputes over whether churches are improperly engaging in partisan politicking from the pulpit. And some fear the trend could endanger the taxman's neutrality." Churches cannot endorse candidates because of their tax exemption benefits.

The article, however, goes out of its way to be neutral. Complaints from both sides are up. The IRS recently looked at a couple of churches for supporting Republican Ohio Governor candidate Ken Blackwell but also investigated a Pasadena (Los Angeles) based church for an anti-war sermon days before the 2004 presidential election.

The rather bland article concludes, "Despite concerns about the politicization of the IRS complaint system, many say the agency is still a crucial check that prevents religious organizations from becoming arms of a political party."

The problem with this overt neutrality is that it paints an entirely false picture and serves to coverup real problems and illegal activity. While there may be some individual liberal churches that cross the line by endorsing candidates for office, there certainly is not a grand coalition of churches conspiring together to propel republican candidates to victory that exists on the right.

But don't take it from me, watch Michelle Goldberg, author of "Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism", in this video explain how evangelical leader Tony Perkins takes his marching orders from the White House and then disseminates that information to more than 100 evangelical leaders during a monthly conference call. The pastors then pass on the latest White House talking point to their flock. Worse, this effort is not merely an election time gambit but continues year-round and is a vital cog in the right wing propaganda machine.

And while the AP manages to stay neutral, its bias could not be greater