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PASTOR BLASTS IRS INVESTIGATION: Rev. Mac Hammond of Minnesota’s largest church says tax probe is 'politically motivated.'
Rev. Mac Hammond has a large audience through his Sunday morning TV broadcast services at Living Word Christian Center in Brooklyn Park.
The Star Tribune reported Tuesday that Hammond sent a letter to his congregation contending that, "behind these attacks (are) enemies of the Gospel." Hammond preaches what is being called the “prosperity Gospel” which says strong faith and religious behavior leads to material wealth.
The Associated Press reports that the IRS filed a petition in U.S. District Court to force the church to answer a demand for detailed financial information. In March, the church declined to comply with an IRS summons, arguing that the law states the request must come from a "high-ranking official" of the IRS. Both sides are to meet in court on Oct. 2.
Hammond’s letter said that IRS's actions are part of "a very clear effort, on a national scale, to discredit, defame and intimidate ministries and preachers of what has been called the 'prosperity gospel.'”
The “national scale” he mentions in the letter is a reference to a recent request by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, to six “prosperity” ministries to turn over financial records, in an effort to see if those six churches are avoiding taxes. Living Word was not among those six churches.
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