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In late 1997, we were warned by reliable sources that Texe Marrs and Living Truth Ministries were on the White House's "Enemies List." We were also told that the IRS had been directed to go after us because we were "making waves."
Just before Christmas, the IRS struck, announcing their intent to conduct an "examination" of the ministry and what we are doing. This was definitely not a random audit. The IRS demanded copies of our newsletters, books, tapes, and videos.
During this so-called "examination," the IRS authorities informed us that Christian churches and ministries are no longer entitled to First Amendment guarantees of free speech and freedom of religion. We were also informed in writing that it is now IRS policy that Christian churches, pastors, and leaders may not publicly express their opinions on any issue, religious or otherwise.
The IRS also told Living Truth that our public statements are to be monitored to insure we stay "reasonable," and that
we must allow Christ's enemies to use our publications and radio broadcasts to express their ungodly opinions at our expense!
We have done our best to cooperate with the IRS in its investigation, and will continue to do so. We have made all our financial records available. But we have now been notified that our tax exempt status may be revoked because we expose false religions like Hinduism, because we exposed President Bill Clinton's immoral lifestyle, and because we made disparaging remarks about the "Catholic Pope, the United Nations, the Illuminati, the Skull and Bones Society, the Masonic Order, the New World Order, and the New Age movement."
Apparently, Bible-believing churches and ministries are being singled out by the IRS and other agencies for malicious persecution, harassment, and intimidation. Living Truth Ministries is not a tax resister. But we cannot and will not sit idly by while the IRS or other federal bureaucrats run roughshod over the religious and free speech rights of the people.
We are not and will not be a lawbreaker. The IRS is the lawbreaker because its intrusive Big Brother policies defy the laws of God and breach the U.S. Constitution.
Texe Marrs and this ministry represent the views of tens of thousands of Christian citizens. Don't we deserve the constitutional and God-given right to speak the Gospel Truth as our conscience dictates? Should we now shut up just to appease the IRS and to make peace with the enemies of righteousness?
Is this still America, land of the free? Can you and I allow the IRS to unconstitutionally erect an immovable "Iron Curtain" and a "No Free Speech Zone" around Christians so the IRS can impede the Gospel Truth?
My friends, during this perilous time of persecution, we desperately need your prayers and your financial support. Be assured of two things: one, we will never turn over our mailing list to the IRS—never! Your privacy will be fully respected. And second, no one on Earth will stop us from exposing and unmasking evil and evildoers. The Bible commands us to do it (see Jude, vs 3-4, II Timothy 3:12-13 and Ephesians 5:11). We will never, ever stop telling the truth. The threat by the IRS of heavy fines and loss of tax exempt status will not deter us. The Gospel Truth is simply not for sale to callous and unfeeling government marauders.
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