As we have been reporting, the massive Religious Right group Focus on the Family convinced the IRS in 2016 to classify it as a church, allowing it access to various tax-law carve-outs. While the organization told the IRS that it needed church status in order to avoid the Affordable Care Act’s contraception coverage mandate and other employment regulations, a spokesman told the Christian Post on Friday that the change in tax status was meant to protect the “privacy” of donors in a “hostile environment” for groups like theirs.

The Focus spokesman, Paul Batura, cited what he said were several recent occasions “on which nonprofit organizations were targeted for information, including the names and personal details of their donors.” One example that might have been on Focus’ mind is the National Organization for Marriage’s ongoing legal fight over concealing the donors to its battles around state marriage equality ballot initiatives. However, unless organizations spend substantial sums to support or oppose ballot measures or candidates, they are unlikely to be required to disclose their donors.

Batura also cited the example of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, which also recently changed its tax status to an “association of churches.”

From the Christian Post: