Churches Will Not Lose Non-profit Status for Supporting FMA, says Liberty Counsel

Liberty Counsel, a pro-family legal counsel, is reassuring churches that they will not lose their non-profit status if they participate the July 11th “Protect Marriage Sunday,” which aims to rally Christian support for the Federal Marriage Amendment before the Senate votes on the measure on July 12.

“Some groups have sent erroneous letters to churches, stating that if they promote the passage of the FMA, the churches will jeopardize their tax-exempt status. These scare tactics are bogus,” read a news release from Liberty Counsel.

Sunday’s event will be sponsored by Family Research Council and Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.

According to a 1934 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code, of non-profit organizations or 501(c)(3) are not banned from participating in lobbying activities, given the lobbying activities do not constitute a majority of its activities.

“No church has ever lost its tax-exempt status for engaging in lobbying activities,” stated Mathew D. Staver, President and General Counsel of Liberty Counsel.

In two cases addressing non-profit organizations’ participating in lobbying activities, the IRS ruled non-profits could devote at least 5% of its overall activities to lobbying activities but said devoting 20% was too much.

Pro-family groups have encouraged pastors to preach about the importance of traditional marriage during their sermons this Sunday and urge their congregants to tell their Senators to vote on the FMA.

"Pastors and other church leaders should shed their moral laryngitis,” said Staver, who previously served as a pastor before joining Liberty Counsel.

He concluded, “The battle over marriage as the union of one man and one woman is the most important social battle of our lifetime. Churches and other communities of faith should and must vocally and actively support the preservation of marriage as the union of one man and one woman."

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.