Area pastor helps challenge IRS

The Rev. Jody Hice fired a verbal volley Sunday in a battle that he believes will return the United States to its American Revolutionary roots.

From his pulpit at Bethlehem First Baptist Church outside Atlanta, he urged his congregation to vote for Sen. John McCain and to not vote for Sen. Barack Obama.

He based his recommendations on McCain’s opposition to abortion and gay marriage and Obama’s support of those issues, Hice told the Barrow County church packed with about 400 listeners.

“These are not political issues,” Hice said. “There are moral issues.”

They may be moral issues, but Internal Revenue Service regulations say clergy cannot make public political endorsements to their congregations without risking the tax-exempt status of their house of worship.

Hice’s endorsement and argument is part of a coordinated effort by the Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative Christian legal aid society. Its members hope the IRS will challenge one or more of the 33 pastors across the United States who did what Hice did today. They hope to overturn the no-endorsement regulation in court.

Hice quoted the Bible and some of American’s Founding Fathers in making his case that he believed the regulation was unconstitutional. Hice said he was following the historical norm in this nation’s history.

Church leaders have a right to address moral and cultural issues, Hice said.

“Or else we will find ourselves in America led by secularists and atheists.”

Hice’s words were warmly received by his vocal congregation, member David Alderhold said. “Christians have to start taking a stand. Abortion, homosexuality —- the Bible speaks out on both of them.”

Doug Freeman said, “I am really proud of him for standing up and having the backbone to talk about the moral issues.”

Hice is a well-known cultural warrior in the area. He has a daily afternoon radio show during which he talks about abortion and other cultural and political issues. That’s fine with the IRS, as long as he is not acting as a church leader in front of his flock.

Patsy Wilcox, a friend of Hice’s but not a member of Bethlehem First Baptist, said she came out to show support.

“I feel like he took a bold step and it’s something ministers need to do,” she said. “I think he was right to do what he did.”

The IRS said it would be monitoring the actions of all 33 pastors and would respond appropriately.