Does it bother you when candidates...

[iloveboardwalk]

The only problem I have with church provided voter guides is that there is nothing to keep them honest. What I mean by that is that they can easily mis-represent a candidate's beliefs or voting record, and if the congregation doesn't do it's own research, they could be voting based on misinformation. I'm not saying this definitely would happen, but it's certainly a possibility.

That's true with any special interest group, and I do consider a church a special interst group.

I get a "voter guide" from the different boards I belong to as a real estate agent, for example.

Chruch's should not be tax exempt, they should be treated just like any other social group. If the silly tax exemtion went away, they could do whatever they wanted.

 

[Chuck S]

Chruch's should not be tax exempt, they should be treated just like any other social group. If the silly tax exemtion went away, they could do whatever they wanted.

Uhhh...most social groups are tax exempt. Masonic orders, Knights of Columbus, NAACP...all qualify for "tax exempt" as a non-profit org.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Yes, it bothers me if it's during a service. What an uncomfortable position to be in if you don't support that person, but church is hardly the place that most people want to start expressing their political differences. I know that in my daughter's youth class, the teacher was finding ways to bring Bush up in conversation a couple of years back and it ended up leading to tension and division among some of the kids. That is so wrong. Who wants to be preached at about who they should support politically, especially at church. I was never a fan of taking advantage of a captive audience.

 

[iloveboardwalk]

Uhhh...most social groups are tax exempt. Masonic orders, Knights of Columbus, NAACP...all qualify for "tax exempt" as a non-profit org.

uhhh...ok, they should all lose their tax exemption then.

 

[Galahad]

uhhh...ok, they should all lose their tax exemption then.

Putting a big crimp - at least for a while - in charitable work. Probably too many unintended consequences.

 

[iloveboardwalk]

Putting a big crimp - at least for a while - in charitable work. Probably too many unintended consequences.

They can get tax write offs for charitable work, like the rest of us working schlumps.

Besides, shouldn;t churches do charity work, not for the tax benefits, but because Jesus wants them to...or something?

 

[brerrabbit]

They can get tax write offs for charitable work, like the rest of us working schlumps.

Besides, shouldn;t churches do charity work, not for the tax benefits, but because Jesus wants them to...or something?

Yes, we do mission work and charitable work because God said love your neighbor, and help the needy. By taxing them they could not afford to do nearly as much charitable work.

As far as candidates campaigning in a church I agree with the previous posters who are against it. I think there is no reason for it to occur. As a matter of fact while it does go on in Texas sometimes, it can be considered an Election Code violation according to Texas law. As far as any other non profit group endorsing an candidate they are subject to loosing their 501 c(3) status as well. I was involved with a situation where a President of a Little League annouced his candidacy for a City Council position at Opening Day Cerimonies and then used the LL mailing list to mail campaign literature. Both of these actions are in clear violation of Texas Election laws and risked the non profit status of the league. After reading those laws for over a week I still cannot even begin to understand how a politician seeking office could ever set foot in a church and give any kind of speech during an election. In Texas it flat violates the law.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

If my husband (a pastor) were to make a political statement from the pulpit or have a candidate speak from the pulpit, he would be investigated by the IRS and probably have the church's tax exempt status yanked quickly (http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1107-02.htm). However, if it happened at the predominantly African-American church down the road, I seriously doubt anything would happen. I've never understood that double standard.

Trust me, it goes on in white churches too. I'm a Christian democrat who was newly moved to a very republican area and was "church shopping" during the last Presidential election. It was so hard to find a church that wasn't preaching politics. I also go to a Christian college and both Laura Bush and Cheney have spoken there during chapel (although I do think that is somewhat different being a college campus even though its still technically a church service). I'm not sure how those churches got away with it either (I know my mom's church tax status was investigated after the elections but nothing came of it), but it does occur.

I kind of understand Barack and Hillary in this one case because the church really was the scene and riling point of the Selma events, but I still don't agree, and don't think it should happen on EITHER side.

 

[bicker]

However, if it happened at the predominantly African-American church down the road, I seriously doubt anything would happen.

Nothing happens, either, when a minister at a fundamentalist church makes political statements from the pulpit.

 

[Chuck S]

Nothing happens, either, when a minister at a fundamentalist church makes political statements from the pulpit.

Or on TV.

 

[rie'smom]

It bothers the heck out of me. Politics as usual. The politicians don't have to follow the same rules the rest of us do. Let a local politician speak from a pulpit and watch the fireworks.

 

[DawnCt1]

Yes, it absolutely bothers me. Politics have no place in the church, and vice versa. Regardless of which side of the aisle the politician comes from.

I agree. And Hillary can dispense with the phony southern accent too.

 

[beagle744]

Hillary can dispense with the phony southern accent too.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I agree. And Hillary can dispense with the phony southern accent too.

That was pathetic and hilarious at the same time to watch.

 

[Charade]

I agree. And Hillary can dispense with the phony southern accent too.

Uh, no. That was her fake black southern accent.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I agree. And Hillary can dispense with the phony southern accent too.

I can cut her slack for that, because I only have to be around a Southern accent for about 5 minutes before I'm doing it. I can understand how easily you can slip into it without even knowing it. I'm sure mine sounds awful too, because I'm NJ born and raised.

 

[Charade]

I can cut her slack for that, because I only have to be around a Southern accent for about 5 minutes before I'm doing it. I can understand how easily you can slip into it without even knowing it. I'm sure mine sounds awful too, because I'm NJ born and raised.

She didn't "slip" into it. She was trying to imitate one. And it was pathetic and insulting.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I can cut her slack for that, because I only have to be around a Southern accent for about 5 minutes before I'm doing it. I can understand how easily you can slip into it without even knowing it. I'm sure mine sounds awful too, because I'm NJ born and raised.

Have you seen the clip?? It was no "accident". It was a calculated and pitiful attempt to try and connect. Personally, I would be insulted and feel talked down to, but apparently they enjoyed it.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Have you seen the clip?? It was no "accident". It was a calculated and pitiful attempt to try and connect. Personally, I would be insulted and feel talked down to, but apparently they enjoyed it.

I saw several clips of her on the news this morning and I really didn't notice anything but that screechy tone that she gets when she raises her voice. She really needs to work on modulating that tone. The southern accent, forced or not is nothing compared to that screechy thing.

 

[eclectics]

I agree with most everyone else here. The pulpit is no place for political pandering and persuading. Not only by a politician or candidate. It should apply to the minister, priest, or rabbi as well.