No substantial part of the activities of _________________________________(your Church's name here) shall be dedicated to, or otherwise attempt to influence United States State or Federal legislation, and the corporation shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
What about freedom of speech? It's the same old story, accept something from the government and they "own you." Maybe churches should pay taxes and become free to say what they want. The government wouldn't have to decide what's non-profit and what isn't -- but then the government would be free to "tax churches and non-profit agencies out of existence."
@vechorik Churches are some of the most profitable businesses in the world. The Westboro Baptist Church was fined almost a million dollars, and they haven't closed their doors.
It's just a racket, and it always has been.
It's simple really. Tax exemption means that tax payers are paying part of the operating costs of the church. Apart from this being a violation of my rights, it also means that they're using my money to fund a political campaign that I don't support.
They like special treatment when it gives them tax breaks, bu then turn around and demand to be treated like others when it works against them. How selfish.
It's not about you getting to do what you want. It's about people you don't like getting to do what they want. I can see the pagan groups having fund raisers for Obama and getting tax breaks at the same time. Won't THAT go over well in conservative churches.
@revgothlove No. It's not. The law does not require pastors to not endorse political candidates. It requires them to not endorse political candidates if they want tax exempt status, because otherwise it would mean that public funds were being used to fund a political campaign unlawfully.
Pastors can endorse anything they want, but they won't use my money to do it.
Here's an idea: find out the names of the attorneys who are advising these pastors to blatently violate the law (Hint: it's a violation of the Canons of Legal Ethics to do so.). Then, file complaints against these individual attorneys in the respective states where they hold a license to practice law.
Facing disbarment for unethical conduct will give the shysters at the "Alliance Defense Fund" in Arizona something round & hard to suck on.
That FuckTard at the end should fully know that when he ACCEPTED the 501C Tax Exempt Status so he and the rest of the wolves in the pulpits could collect all the DOUGH to keep his mouth shut in one area when he is behind he UPENDED COFFIN otherwise known as a pulpit ! LOL
They may be hoping that the more conservative justices on the Supreme Court will now side with them. I don´t mind so much if churches lose their tax-exempt status, as long as I get to cast a vote for what dogmas they teach. Lets break that church/state barrier down ALL THE WAY. Of course it´s absurd and I´m joking. The law is their for their protection too...idiots.
These ministers have overstepped ministerial boundaries, and this attempt by the far right to impose its values on the rest of the country is unconscionable. The founding fathers considered the separation of church and state necessary for a true democracy. Yet these pastors not only breach this covenant but also compromise their spiritual authority by hurling themselves into a political campaign. There can be no assertion to being true Christians practicing tolerance, brotherhood and charity.
i hope they nail those churches and take a pund of flesh. the churches back the warmonger mc cain because of abortion. these people have no princles. Obama is not much better he wants to increase the military by
100,000 and raise the level of involvement in afganistan. they both support destroying the dollar with the monster bail out. printing all that money is going to dilute the dollar something fierce.
caoont wait to see what happens when the have to pay taxes.VOTE 3RD PARTY FUCK THE LIES!
Exactly correct. It is much better to have the choice available than to take away the choice. It is exactly like taking away your choice of car you drive so that everyone has to drive a certain kind or none at all.
The minute we start allowing religious nonsense guide the decisions of our government is the minute we become a theocracy just like Saudi Arabia, Iran and others. The founding fathers would have started a war against our current administration. These god-bothering assholes believe the bible grants them moral authority over everyone else.
That people would attempt to guide and craft their morals and ethics in the 21st century, by a 2000 year old book written by desert preachers, is frankly beyond my comprehension.
ramgarden: of course scripture has been altered, the current bible in common use today in most churches in the UK, the US and Australia is the King James version, so called because King James and his senior advisers rewrote the bible in a very clever way. they kept as much of the original text the same but rephrased or downplayed parts that put them in a bad light while enhancing and emphasising parts which showed them in a good light. this was then printed cheap for the masses
If you don't support 'Seperation Of Church & State' then you'll get 'Burn At The Stake', because that's what eventualy happens when religion and politics unite.
These Pastors should be fired. Their tax-free status should be revoked.
"All the government has to do is make churches and other religious foundations pay taxes like everyone else. "
I couldn't agree more. Peel away the onion skins labelled "Jesus", "morality", and "Christian values", and they're nothing more than business enterprises, pure & simple. Often hiring their own idiot relatives and those of their biggest contributors as part of their "ministry". And enabling their "ministers" to live a life of luxury on the handouts of of gullible sheeple.
No substantial part of the activities of _________________________________(your Church's name here) shall be dedicated to, or otherwise attempt to influence United States State or Federal legislation, and the corporation shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
ttgator2003 1 year ago
What about freedom of speech? It's the same old story, accept something from the government and they "own you." Maybe churches should pay taxes and become free to say what they want. The government wouldn't have to decide what's non-profit and what isn't -- but then the government would be free to "tax churches and non-profit agencies out of existence."
vechorik 1 year ago
@vechorik Churches are some of the most profitable businesses in the world. The Westboro Baptist Church was fined almost a million dollars, and they haven't closed their doors.
It's just a racket, and it always has been.
It's simple really. Tax exemption means that tax payers are paying part of the operating costs of the church. Apart from this being a violation of my rights, it also means that they're using my money to fund a political campaign that I don't support.
TheSmackerlacker 3 months ago
They like special treatment when it gives them tax breaks, bu then turn around and demand to be treated like others when it works against them. How selfish.
It's not about you getting to do what you want. It's about people you don't like getting to do what they want. I can see the pagan groups having fund raisers for Obama and getting tax breaks at the same time. Won't THAT go over well in conservative churches.
ManicEightBall 1 year ago
the irs restrictions on pastors is unconstitutional
revgothlove 2 years ago
@revgothlove No. It's not. The law does not require pastors to not endorse political candidates. It requires them to not endorse political candidates if they want tax exempt status, because otherwise it would mean that public funds were being used to fund a political campaign unlawfully.
Pastors can endorse anything they want, but they won't use my money to do it.
TheSmackerlacker 3 months ago
It's ironic that Baptists back in the day were all for church/state separation....when they were a minority!
They've forgotten their own history. Power corrupts.
ScaperSteph 3 years ago 3
Religious retards!
KmanMonkeyPig 3 years ago 2
Here's an idea: find out the names of the attorneys who are advising these pastors to blatently violate the law (Hint: it's a violation of the Canons of Legal Ethics to do so.). Then, file complaints against these individual attorneys in the respective states where they hold a license to practice law.
Facing disbarment for unethical conduct will give the shysters at the "Alliance Defense Fund" in Arizona something round & hard to suck on.
BenAliGtor 3 years ago
Hice, you are a fuckin moron. Only baptists are dumb enough for this shit.
ganymede36 3 years ago
That FuckTard at the end should fully know that when he ACCEPTED the 501C Tax Exempt Status so he and the rest of the wolves in the pulpits could collect all the DOUGH to keep his mouth shut in one area when he is behind he UPENDED COFFIN otherwise known as a pulpit ! LOL
SethVincent 3 years ago 3
Cannot their DumbAss Sheep figure out who they should vote for ?!?
SethVincent 3 years ago 3
nope
547212436 3 years ago
typo.
...the law is there for their protection...
coffeemachtspass 3 years ago
They may be hoping that the more conservative justices on the Supreme Court will now side with them. I don´t mind so much if churches lose their tax-exempt status, as long as I get to cast a vote for what dogmas they teach. Lets break that church/state barrier down ALL THE WAY. Of course it´s absurd and I´m joking. The law is their for their protection too...idiots.
coffeemachtspass 3 years ago
These ministers have overstepped ministerial boundaries, and this attempt by the far right to impose its values on the rest of the country is unconscionable. The founding fathers considered the separation of church and state necessary for a true democracy. Yet these pastors not only breach this covenant but also compromise their spiritual authority by hurling themselves into a political campaign. There can be no assertion to being true Christians practicing tolerance, brotherhood and charity.
NewYorksVirtualPen 3 years ago 4
i hope they nail those churches and take a pund of flesh. the churches back the warmonger mc cain because of abortion. these people have no princles. Obama is not much better he wants to increase the military by
100,000 and raise the level of involvement in afganistan. they both support destroying the dollar with the monster bail out. printing all that money is going to dilute the dollar something fierce.
caoont wait to see what happens when the have to pay taxes.VOTE 3RD PARTY FUCK THE LIES!
infundadiform 3 years ago
being pro choice does not force people to do anything they feel is immoral. you can still opt not to have an abortion if you dont want to.
now being pro-life i would relate to fascism. forcing your self-righteous "morality" onto others.
sheepwshotguns 3 years ago
Exactly correct. It is much better to have the choice available than to take away the choice. It is exactly like taking away your choice of car you drive so that everyone has to drive a certain kind or none at all.
ramgarden 3 years ago
If Churches are Tax exempt, then so should all other authors of fiction.
M01ari 3 years ago 3
Great no TAXCUT on that BIG PAYraise.....damnnn dats the LIFEE!!!!!! only if i knew how to preach about Superman...
solidkundi 3 years ago 2
The minute we start allowing religious nonsense guide the decisions of our government is the minute we become a theocracy just like Saudi Arabia, Iran and others. The founding fathers would have started a war against our current administration. These god-bothering assholes believe the bible grants them moral authority over everyone else.
bfirepllc 3 years ago 6
The separation of Church and State protects religion more than it protects the state.
Ricky81682 3 years ago 4
If they're going to engage in politics, they're going to have to start paying taxes like everyone else. That's the law.
frellthat 3 years ago 5
That people would attempt to guide and craft their morals and ethics in the 21st century, by a 2000 year old book written by desert preachers, is frankly beyond my comprehension.
FilipeBrasAlmeida 3 years ago 4
This point is brought home by the book, "Misquoting Jesus".
"Offers a fascinating look into the field of textual criticism and evidence that Scriptures have been altered." -- Charleston Post & Courier
ramgarden 3 years ago
ramgarden: of course scripture has been altered, the current bible in common use today in most churches in the UK, the US and Australia is the King James version, so called because King James and his senior advisers rewrote the bible in a very clever way. they kept as much of the original text the same but rephrased or downplayed parts that put them in a bad light while enhancing and emphasising parts which showed them in a good light. this was then printed cheap for the masses
guppyninja 3 years ago
fuck'um..if they do this the IRS should permanently remove the tax exept status..its that simple..
church is for preaching gospal not polotics..
Elcristoph 3 years ago 18
@Elcristoph Their tax exempt status should be removed anyway. MY government does not give preferred status to religion.
TheSmackerlacker 3 months ago
If you don't support 'Seperation Of Church & State' then you'll get 'Burn At The Stake', because that's what eventualy happens when religion and politics unite.
These Pastors should be fired. Their tax-free status should be revoked.
BoyintheMachine 3 years ago 7
This shouldn't be a problem. All the government has to do is make churches and other religious foundations pay taxes like everyone else.
Fredgar125 3 years ago 19
"All the government has to do is make churches and other religious foundations pay taxes like everyone else. "
I couldn't agree more. Peel away the onion skins labelled "Jesus", "morality", and "Christian values", and they're nothing more than business enterprises, pure & simple. Often hiring their own idiot relatives and those of their biggest contributors as part of their "ministry". And enabling their "ministers" to live a life of luxury on the handouts of of gullible sheeple.
BenAliGtor 3 years ago 5
@Fredgar125
Do you think that non-religious nonprofits, like United Way, should have to pay taxes?
tifforo1 1 year ago