WASHINGTON (ABP) -- A church-state watchdog group says the IRS should review Liberty University's tax-exempt status for its decision to revoke recognition of its Democratic Party student club.

University officials ordered the student group May 15 to cease using the school's name, logo, seal or mark in any of its publications, including electronic postings on a website, Facebook or Twitter.

Mark Hine, vice president for student affairs, said the school could not "lend support to a club whose parent organization stands against the moral principles held by Liberty University."

"Even though this club may not support the more radical planks of the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party is still the parent organization of the club on campus," Hine said. "The Democratic Party platform is contrary to the mission of LU and to Christian doctrine (supports abortion, federal funding of abortion, advocates repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, promotes the 'LGBT' agenda, hate crimes, which include sexual orientation and gender identity, socialism, etc)."

Hine said candidates supported by the party "are directly contrary to the mission" of the university, founded by the late Jerry Falwell.

Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said May 27 that Liberty may have violated federal tax law by denying recognition to a Democratic club while recognizing one for Republican students.

"Liberty University is a tax-exempt institution and isn't allowed to support one party over another," Lynn said. "If the school insists on pushing policies that favor Republicans over Democrats, it should have to surrender its tax exemption."

Liberty President Jerry Falwell, Jr., said May 25 that a lot of the media reporting about the decision was wrong, and it started when Terry McAuliffe, a Democratic candidate for Virginia's governorship, called a telephone press conference to talk about the Democratic club formed by Liberty students.

Falwell said the university had not "banned" Democrats, as some headlines proclaimed. He said the club can continue to meet on campus but will not be officially recognized, meaning it cannot use Liberty's name or receive university funds.

"Parents and students support the university because they believe in its distinctly Christian identity and mission," Falwell said. "Liberty University is pro-life and believes that marriage between one man and one woman provides the best environment for children. Liberty University will not lend its name or financial support to any student group that advances causes contrary to its mission."

Falwell said the school also would not endorse a Republican student group that supported abortion rights. "Liberty stands for certain core values," he said, "not for a political party."

But Lynn said campus political clubs often endorse and work on behalf of candidates, amounting to an in-kind contribution. By allowing students to support only one party, Lynn said the university appeared to be taking sides. 

"As a tax-exempt institution, Liberty is barred from intervening in elections or showing preference for one political party over another," Lynn said in a letter to the IRS. "By banning a Democratic club while permitting a Republican club to exist and offering funding to the latter but not the former, university officials appear to be operating in violation of federal tax law."

Lynn said he found the incident "very troubling" and urged officials "to investigate this matter and ensure that the law is enforced."

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Bob Allen is senior writer for Associated Baptist Press.

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