Or at least that’s the appearance given by a recent action by the Internal Revenue Service regarding an application for nonprofit status filed by the Coalition for Life of Iowa.

According to a July 6 press release from the Thomas More Society, a Chicago-based pro-life law center, the IRS has told the Coalition for Life of Iowa it will not receive nonprofit status unless the Iowa pro-life organization promises to limit its “picketing” and “protesting” of Planned Parenthood.

From the press release:

In their response, attorneys of the Thomas More Society defending the coalition, argued that the IRS is in danger of violating the First Amendment and that the request for tax exemption should be promptly granted. The repeated questioning of the coalition suggests that the IRS may be denying or delaying tax-exempt status to an eligible organization based solely upon its religious affiliation and speech. Many other organizations regularly advocate on both sides of these issues, and they have not been hindered in obtaining or maintaining tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3).

“The IRS not only erroneously forbade the Coalition for Life of Iowa from engaging in ‘advocacy’ as a section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; they also never gave any explanation as to why their request was relevant,” said Thomas Brejcha, president and chief counsel for the Thomas More Society. “The coalition has clearly and truthfully stated that all its activities fall in line with IRS guidelines. The IRS is protecting Parenthood and harassing the Coalition for Life of Iowa.”

The Thomas More Society notes that the pro-life group “has never engaged in any disruptive, violent or threatening action. Its activities, such as prayer meetings and events held to educate the public about sanctity of life issues, have been peaceful.”

And, the Thomas More Society argues, the Coalition for Life of Iowa clearly qualifies for nonprofit tax status since almost all of its funds are used for education and advancement of religious beliefs, activities that are permissible for organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax status.

Warns Brejcha in the press release, “If the IRS can discriminate against one nonprofit based on its beliefs and religious affiliation, then the IRS could regulate the speech of any other nonprofit organization.”