IRS warns churches against campaigning

[cardaway]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060718/ap_on_el_ge/ca_irs_churches

Thank you IRS (never thought I would say that).

 

[eclectics]

I like the "imposing a fine" idea. Great source of extra revenue. Sort of like a curse jar.

 

[cardaway]

I like the "imposing a fine" idea. Great source of extra revenue. Sort of like a curse jar.

Really? The curse jar thing makes it sound like a joke.

I don't want fines, I want it to stop. No need for revenue IMO, juts a need for churches not to skirt the system.

 

[Pigeon]

I think this is great. They should have their tax exempt status yanked if they are preaching politics.

 

[eclectics]

Really? The curse jar thing makes it sound like a joke.

I don't want fines, I want it to stop. No need for revenue IMO, juts a need for churches not to skirt the system.

Oh, I agree with you. Just being a little tongue in cheek. I'm not sure how widespread of a problem it is though. I do think most church's leaderships are aware of their moral and legal duty not to politicize their pulpits. There are many legal ways around this however and I suspect quite a few "test the waters". The fair thing to do is to tax all religious institutions and then let them do and say what they please.

 

[cardaway]

I'm not sure how widespread of a problem it is though.

Not sure about that. Look no further than the many folks all but bragging online at sites like this one about how their church helped Bush win on the "moral values " issue.

The fair thing to do is to tax all religious institutions and then let them do and say what they please.

People will freak out but very little would change. Open the books, and if there is no profit, no income tax.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

Good. Hopefully my minister (in my church, we rotate every few years) will shut the heck up. Gee, how I loved hearing (on Easter Sunday no less) about how Jane Fonda was a wonderful person who uses her celebrity to promote her causes.

 

[eclectics]

Good. Hopefully my minister (in my church, we rotate every few years) will shut the heck up. Gee, how I loved hearing (on Easter Sunday no less) about how Jane Fonda was a wonderful person who uses her celebrity to promote her causes.

I guess the only way to police the churches that abuse their power is to report them, right?

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

I'm protesting with my pocketbook... or lack thereof.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Our church campaigns for its causes, not parties. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, nurse the sick, visit the imprisioned - whole bit. Oh, and life at all costs. No abortion, no suicide, no assisted-suicide. I think the ideals of the church fall into both parties and don't see as how they "campaign" for anyone.

I think if the Catholic Church were to pick a party, they'd be Democrats. Only the Democrats would never have them due to that pesky abortion thing.

I'm not sure I want the government going into churches and telling them what they can or cannot say. No, check that. I'm totally sure I don't want that.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Our church campaigns for its causes, not parties. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, nurse the sick, visit the imprisioned - whole bit. Oh, and life at all costs. No abortion, no suicide, no assisted-suicide. I think the ideals of the church fall into both parties and don't see as how they "campaign" for anyone.

I think if the Catholic Church were to pick a party, they'd be Democrats. Only the Democrats would never have them due to that pesky abortion thing.

I'm not sure I want the government going into churches and telling them what they can or cannot say. No, check that. I'm totally sure I don't want that.

My mothers Catholc Church made it quite clear to her that her immortal soul would be in danger if She voted for Kerry... My Mother, a lfelong democrat voted for Bush... I don't know the context however of just just how this was made clear

 

[Cool-Beans]

My mothers Catholc Church made it quite clear to her that her immortal soul would be in danger if She voted for Kerry... My Mother, a lfelong democrat voted for Bush... I don't know the context however of just just how this was made clear

You know, Jenny, your mom goes to one wacky Catholic church, all the things you report that go on there.

You wouldn't want to mention the name of the priest who said people who voted for Kerry were going to hell, would you? Or the church?

Naming a priest isn't going to let people figure who your mother is or anything. So, would you tell? Seriously, I think those guys need to get a phone call.

 

[eclectics]

I'm not sure I want the government going into churches and telling them what they can or cannot say. No, check that. I'm totally sure I don't want that.

Then let them pay taxes like every other institution and then they can say exactly what they want, whenever they want. As long as they pay no taxes the government has every right to set standards for their behavior, as the government sees fit.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Then let them pay taxes like every other institution and then they can say exactly what they want, whenever they want. As long as they pay no taxes the government has every right to set standards for their behavior, as the government sees fit.

Please tell me where the U.S. Constitution says the government has the right to set standards for behavior for all who don't pay taxes.

I don't remember that, but I'm not well versed in Con Law, either.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

***never mind***
Off topic and a fight for another time.

 

[arminnie]

I think this is great. They should have their tax exempt status yanked if they are preaching politics.

I guess I have mixed feeling about this as it probably affects the African American church community the most. Many of the civil rights activists would not have been allowed to spread their work in the pulpit.

 

[JennyMominRI]

You know, Jenny, your mom goes to one wacky Catholic church, all the things you report that go on there.

You wouldn't want to mention the name of the priest who said people who voted for Kerry were going to hell, would you? Or the church?

Naming a priest isn't going to let people figure who your mother is or anything. So, would you tell? Seriously, I think those guys need to get a phone call.

Uh,what other posts have I made about going ons at my mothers Church? She lives in North Kingstown RI,so I would assume the church is there....The only other thing I ever remember posting about her church is that they had a a Petition against gay marriage,which she didn't sign

 

[eclectics]

Please tell me where the U.S. Constitution says the government has the right to set standards for behavior for all who don't pay taxes.

I don't remember that, but I'm not well versed in Con Law, either.

Wrong choice of words, I admit. I'll rephrase. The government certainly has the power to impose certain rules tax exempt organizations, including churches, have to follow. The churches obviously are not allowed to politicize as the government has the power to impose consequences if they do. Also, I admit this is just one example. I am not well versed in this aspect of the law either.

 

[Galahad]

Our church campaigns for its causes, not parties. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, nurse the sick, visit the imprisioned

Mine too. Politics harms churches more than the other way 'round IMO. This is a good thing (thr IRS action)!

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

The IRS will have to define the difference between campaigning (which IMO means organizing groups, call lists, protests, etc.) and preaching. Preaching about a preferred candidate will be very hard to enforce as someone from the congregation will have to report the violation and then provide evidence.