IRS Should Review Liberty University’s Tax-Exempt Status For Partisan Politicking

[and-justice-for-all]

May 27, 2009

Watchdog Group Tells Tax Agency Falwell-Founded School Is Showing Preference For Republicans By Curbing Student Democratic Club

Americans United for Separation of Church and State today asked the Internal Revenue Service to review the tax-exempt status of Liberty University in the wake of the school’s decision to yank official recognition of a student-run Democratic club.

Last week, Liberty officials informed the president of the Democratic club that it is no longer eligible for university recognition, including funding through student activity fees. The goals of the Democratic Party, school officials insisted, are contrary to Liberty’s evangelical Christian outlook.

The Lynchburg, Va., school was founded by controversial TV preacher Jerry Falwell, and his son Jerry Jr. currently serves as its chancellor.

“Liberty University is a tax-exempt institution and isn’t allowed to support one party over another,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “If the school insists on pushing policies that favor Republicans over Democrats, it should have to surrender its tax exemption....

http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2009/05/irs-should-review-liberty.html

[Uncle Joe]

1. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, and-justice-for-all.

[armyowalgreens]

2. Are any other universities (private or public) taxed?

Or are they all tax exempt?

[aquamarina]

3. Amen and hallelujia to that!

And when they're done at Liberty U, they should pop over to Utah and start investigating the Mormans and when they are done with the Mormans they should investigate out the Catholics.

Perhaps a complete overhaul of the tax exempt status for religous organizations is in order - would help out a great deal with our current budget problems...

[Diclotican]

8. aquamarina

aquamarina

The Correct name for "mormans" are not what you typed, but rather Mormons.. If you at least want to make a big deal about the church, then at least try to use the proper name... Because it was a really bad try about "moran" or what you want to do with the "Namning"...

As if the LDS church have been going into politics, as I understand it some law forbid church who are exp emt for taxes, to pitch into the world of Politic, then I as an member agree with you at this.. I do not believe it was smart, vice of our leaders to try to pitch political gains. Our leaders should just stayed away, and let political do what they do, and just k keep a DAM low profile.. But in the world that existed in the Bush world, then it might be to easy to try to make political gains about it.. Because "everyone else" did it or something else like this lines...

I hope, that the church learn something about this, and stop middling in something the church only can be hurt by...
And, maybe it is time to a whole overhaul of every prospect of your tax system, so the system can get a decent tax building.. Because if US was to overhaul the whole system I am pretty sure that billions of Dollar can be relocated, nit just for religious organizations, but by an large the whole country... Everyone country have been doing that sometimes or another, and US would not be the first to have to overhaul/rebuild the whole tax system to get the economy on track again...

Maybe the tax system would be more fair too, if the system was overhauled?

Diclotican

[aquamarina]

10. Yeah, I know it's mormon - I realized the typo as soon as I

hit the send button.

However, after trying to read through your email a couple times, I have no idea what you are trying to communicate to me.

[armyowalgreens]

4. The real question is how can liberty U. get accredited?

How do the ideologies of Liberty University not make it incapable of getting accredited?

That would solve this entire problem. Don't make it an accredited university and tax the shit out of it.

[struggle4progress]

6. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges

takes third party comments in accreditation reviews: http://www.sacscoc.org/ThirdPartyCommentsinfo.asp

Liberty is up again in 2016, so SACS, CoC may be taking comments on this again in 2014/5, though perhaps immediate third party complaints could have some effect: http://www.sacscoc.org/details.asp?instid=43000

[The Doctor.]

5. I have been looking for confirmation that this "School" is indeed tax exempt.

Oddly, there is only the accusation, but nothing concrete.

I believe it, but where is the proof?

[dgibby]

9. Here's an article that might answer your question.

Oops! Link didn't work. I'll try to find another one. Sorry!

[Forkboy]

7. nah, we should just encase it in concrete like the Chernobyl reactor site.