Fox Nation Hypocrisy Over IRS Tax Code

This last summer, when Fox Nation pitched a bitch about Media Matters supposedly violating IRS tax law, I wondered if they had expressed similar outrage when churches (who are also 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt) had explicitly endorsed political candidates, in clear violation of IRS tax law. Turns out, when "Project Fair Play" 2010 came around, Fox Nation showed support:

Nearly 100 pastors across the country took part in Pulpit Freedom Sunday today, an in-your-face challenge to what the government says can and cannot be said in church. The pastors, along with the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based nonprofit Alliance Defense Fund, planned today's event as a reaction to a law stating that churches are not allowed to support politicians from the pulpit, according to the ADF. The growing trend is a challenge to the IRS from the churches, and may jeopardize their all-important tax-exempt status. But some pastors and church leaders said they are willing to defy the law to defend their right to freedom of speech. Pastor Dan Fisher from Trinity Baptist Church in Yukon, Okla., who took part in today's challenge, said should be allowed to discuss politics with their congregation. Separation of church and state is not in the Constitution, but the government uses tax exemption as a means to enforce that notion, he added. "The crowd applauded, and said it was wonderful," Fisher said of his sermon this morning. "I can't say that everyone was happy, but no one came up to me to complain." Federal tax law, established in 1954, prohibits churches and tax exempt entities from endorsing or opposing political candidates. (emphasis mine)

Never mind the misleading rhetoric about "Separation of church and state" not being in the Constitution (a fallacy). Given how much rage was seen from Fox Nation over Media Matters (despite the incredible shakiness of their claim), one would expect similar outrage to what amounts to a clear violation of tax law. But this is Fox News we are talking about. So why would anyone be surprised at the hypocrisy. Let's see what happens this year...

Update 9-29-11: The details of what a church could actually lose are detailed in the "IRS tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations:"

"When it participates in political campaign activity, a church or religious organization jeopardizes both its tax-exempt status under IRC section 501(c)(3) and its eligibility to receive tax-deductible contributions. In addition, it may become subject to an excise tax on its political expenditures."