Christian Coalition Loses Exepmt Status

The Christian Coalition last month abandoned efforts to remain a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt nonprofit organization amid reports the IRS imminently planned to deny its application. The group is expected to pay an estimated $400,000 in back taxes as a result.

“The Christian Coalition withdrew its request after ten years of fruitless negotiations with the IRS,” spokesperson Molly Clatworthy told CT. “We needed time to prepare for the 2000 election.” The group has a $21 million campaign to recruit voters in the works (CT, April 26, 1999, p. 13).

The move means the Chesapeake, Virginia–based group is recasting itself as the for-profit Christian Coalition International and the nonprofit Christian Coalition of America. The entities will have separate boards.

“Christian Coalition International will act like any business organization and endorse candidates and make financial contributions to PACS,” Clatworthy says. Christian Coalition America will continue as an “educational” organization with activities that include distribution of 75 million voter guides at churches next year.

Such events have prompted probes by federal agencies. “We fully intend to stay within the letter and the spirit of the law,” Clatworthy says. But Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, predicts a loss of clout.

“In light of the IRS action, pastors would have to be out of their minds to distribute these guides now,” Lynn says. Lynn also sees the group in turmoil. Christian Coalition president Don Hodel and national field director Dave Welch quit earlier this year. “People of caliber move on,” Clatworthy says. “They’re sought after.” In addition, executive director Randy Tate has been dispatched to Washington to lobby full-time, and 69-year-old founder Pat Robertson has resumed control of daily operations.

Meanwhile, Robertson sustained two setbacks in personal financial dealings as a result of comments he made on The 700 Club that “in Scotland you can’t believe how strong the homosexuals are. It’s just unbelievable.”

A proposed joint venture between Robertson and the Bank of Scotland fell through following customer complaints. Robertson said “media comments about him had made it impossible to proceed.”

He also stepped down as a member of the Laura Ashley Holdings PLC board because “the press in Great Britain, in alliance with certain radical elements of society, have launched a campaign of unprecedented bigotry against me because of my deeply held Christian beliefs.”

Copyright © 1999 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Also in this issue

The Triumph of the Praise Songs: As praise bands and worship teams replace organs and choirs, the boomer tastes that reshaped our society are ruling our worship as well.

In Brief: July 12, 1999

New Song, Familiar Tune

New & Noteworthy: Biography

Karon’s Agenda

Writing the Trinity

Praying for Movers and Shakers

Wiccans Practice on U.S Bases

Voucher Plan Draws Mixed Reviews

God Speaks to Commuters

Classic & Contemporary Excerpts from July 12, 1999

Religious Liberty Bill's Passage Uncertain

Bountiful Believers in the Bayou

Fidelity Urged to Fight AIDS

In Brief: July 12, 1999

Evangelicals Resent Abandonment

Anglicans Recognize Papacy as 'Gift'

Slave Girls Find Redemption

Christians Held As Hostages

The Triumph of the Praise Songs

Letters

Pain Relief

Truth-Telling on Trial

The Ministry of Safe Play

Indianapolis: Graham Touts Muscular Christianity

Southern Baptists: City-Focused Evangelism Launched

The Biotech Temptation

Editorial

There Is Room in the Inn

Balkanized by Music

The Profits of Praise

We Are What We Sing

One Church, Two Faiths

Integrating Mars and Venus

Coming to a Neighborhood Near You

Stuck on the Road to Emmaus

Escape from Fantasy Island

A Cracked Code

View issue

Our Latest

Justices Debate Christian Therapist’s Challenge to ‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban

Colorado evangelical Kaley Chiles calls the law a violation of her free speech.

Wire Story

Tony Evans Will No Longer Pastor Dallas Megachurch After Restoration

Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship announced that its pastor of 48 years won’t return to leadership. The church expects son Jonathan Evans to succeed him.

You Don’t Have to Be Radical

Most Christians aren’t monks, missionaries, or martyrs. We’re unimpressive and unsatisfactory—yet saved by God’s scandalous grace.

From a Village of Bandits to a Village of the Gospel

Stuartpuram in India’s Andhra Pradesh was once known for its armed robbers. Then the gospel changed them.

Four Truths About God for Children Who Can’t Sleep

And for the grownups—that’s all of us—who never outgrow their need for his presence around the clock.

Preservation Grants Help Black Churches Hold On to Their History

Over a hundred congregations have received up to a half-million dollars to repair deteriorating buildings and restore their place in their communities.

News

Two Years After October 7, Christians See Fruit amid the Suffering

Churches in Israel and Egypt provide food, aid, and a listening ear to those scarred by war.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube