by LARRY KELLER
Speaking to his congregation at Fairview Baptist Church in Edmond, Oklahoma, in September, Pastor Paul Blair proclaimed himself a “God-fearing Oklahoman” and a “patriotic American.” As such, he said, “I will be casting my ballot for Representative Mary Fallin for governor.” Blair also is founder and director of Reclaiming Oklahoma For Christ. In that capacity, he sent an email urging recipients to attend a political rally for zealously anti-gay Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern, who was facing opposition from a transgender candidate Blair claimed was “recruited” by “the homosexual lobby.” Fallin and Kern easily won their respective races in November.
Blair is one of dozens of pastors on the religious right who are increasingly flouting a longstanding Internal Revenue Service regulation that bars 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations from intervening in political campaigns. This includes endorsing or opposing candidates for public office. Violating this section of the tax code can result in revocation of an organization’s tax-exempt status and financial penalties. Yet the IRS—while well aware of this activity—has done little to stop it, and the churches of Blair and others who have brazenly violated the IRS rule continue to be tax exempt.
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