The Nation - News from Oct. 7, 1987

Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Lawrence B. Gibbs told a congressional hearing that the agency has no evidence of widespread abuse by religious organizations. Although about 25 of the nation’s estimated 400,000 churches are being audited, he said, the law leans so far to avoid excessive interference in religion that the IRS has no way of knowing if some ministries are cheating. Rep. J. J. Pickle (D-Tex.) called the hearing before his House Ways and Means oversight subcommittee to find out if there is widespread abuse of the tax-exempt status of churches and religious organizations. The Rev. Jerry Falwell said the PTL sex scandal has aroused such public concern that television ministers will have to police themselves.