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The Federal Election Commission (FEC) filed suit against the Christian Coalition July 30, accusing the Chesapeake, Virginia-based nonprofit of "expressly advocating" the election of several Republican candidates for federal office in 1990, 1992, and 1994.

Among the FEC allegations: the Christian Coalition illegally spent funds by turning out voters for President Bush, making phone calls on behalf of Sen. Jesse Helms of North Carolina, publishing a letter calling House Speaker Newt Gingrich "a Christian Coalition Inc. 100 percenter," and distributing a scorecard "to distinguish between good and misguided Congressmen."

To retain its tax-exempt status as a "social welfare" non-profit, the Christian Coalition is prohibited from endorsing or donating to candidates.

Interfaith Alliance Executive Director Jill Hanauer hailed the suit. "The Christian Coalition has been flagrantly taunting both the FEC and irs with their blatant support of candidates for office, particularly with an extremist position," she said.

But Christian Coalition Executive Director Ralph Reed called the suit "totally baseless." "Christian Coalition has abided by both the letter and spirit of the law," Reed said. "We are totally confident that we will be fully vindicated."

Copyright 1996, Christianity Today International/Christianity Today Magazine

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September 16 1996, Vol. 40, No. 10