Posted on 10/15/2014 5:09:19 AM PDT by Patton@Bastogne
. .
2014-10-15
Houston LGBT Mayor has EVERY LEGAL RIGHT to Prosecute Christian Churches for Political Activity
First, I (Patton@Bastogne) am a pro-life anti-gay-marriage evangelical Christian.
Second, (in today's news story reported by The Houston Chronicle, below) ...
I am calling out the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) and their attorney Christina Holcomb ...
as "Despicable Liars".
ADF attorneys KNOW FULL WELL that Churches' "voluntary" acceptance of the IRS 501-C3 "federal contract" means that Christian Churches SURRENDER their rights to ...
First Admendment "Free Speech" ... when practiced behind a "tax-exempt church pulpit".
Period.
I openly challenge the deceptive ADF organization (and you, gentle reader) to DOWNLOAD IRS Pamplet-1828 ...
and send this legal copy of the "Federal Contractor Guidelines" to EVERY Christian Church in Houston, Texas.
I maintain that the ADF's goal is "financial gain" ... as they "lie through their teeth" to otherwise well-meaning Christians about church political activity.
The Houston Chronicle
The city of Houston has issued subpoenas demanding a group of pastors turn over any sermons dealing with homosexuality, gender identity or Annise Parker, the citys first openly lesbian mayor. And those ministers who fail to comply could be held in contempt of court.
The citys subpoena of sermons and other pastoral communications is both needless and unprecedented, Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Christina Holcomb said in a statement.
The city council and its attorneys are engaging in an inquisition designed to stifle any critique of its actions.
ADF, a nationally-known law firm specializing in religious liberty cases, is representing five Houston pastors.
They filed a motion in Harris County court to stop the subpoenas arguing they are overbroad, unduly burdensome, harassing, and vexatious.
Political and social commentary is not a crime, Holcomb said. It is protected by the First Amendment.
The subpoenas are just the latest twist in an ongoing saga over the Houstons new non-discrimination ordinance.
The law, among other things, would allow men to use the ladies room and vice versa. The city council approved the law in June.
====================================================
The Time has Come ... American Christian Churches ... to JETTISION theEVIL of church "tax-exempt status" ...
Don't blame me ... I'm just the messenger.
Questions ?
Muster up the courage to do the free IRS download of "Pamplet P1828" which specifies the legal details of your tax-exempt church's sertitude to it's U.S. Government Masters.
Heck, I'll even do you the favor of providing the internet link:
IRS Legal Obligations of Tax-Exempt Christian Churches and Pastors" - (click)
.
IRS & Church Marriage vs. "Render Unto Caesar" ...
IRS & Church Marriage vs. "Render Unto Caesar" - (click)
America's Spiritual Revival and Healing - The Obstacle ...
.America's Spiritual Revival and Healing - The Obstacle ... - (click)
Pro-Life Victory vs. "Render Unto Caesar" ...
Pro-Life Victory vs. "Render Unto Caesar" - (click)
Tea Party Christians and "Render Unto Caesar" ...
Tea Party Christians and "Render Unto Caesar" - (click)
The Houston government is attempting to establish a religion whereby a person must believe as they do.
The Houston government is also squashing freedom of religion.
The Houston government is now claiming any item of religion it decides to demand people believe in is now a government matter and not one of religion.
“It is a relatively new (50 years?) law that did not exist long ago.”
Well, no dug! The 16th Amendment stole badly needed money from churches. Then the federal goobermint gives churches a gun to their head: Do as we tell you or we continue to take the money.
BKMK
great thread on 501c3 and implications!
They came into our church about 3 times in the last 5 years. Local activists lesbians.
The government has no dominion over religious freedom period. The idea that nonprofit status disappears because a pastor speaks out on political issues is crazy and tyrannical.
I would like to see every church and synagogue do the same. I would include mosques, but they are exempt from Federal regulations—apparently including those against inciting murder and revolt.
Any Church who receives a subpoena should refuse to comply and force the issue to the Supreme Court.
Now, to your larger point about Churches and POLITICAL speech, as in endorsing candidates, speaking out against others behind the pulpit I'm in FULL AGREEMENT with you that any church who wishes to do so should jettison their tax exempt status and have at it! (I've held that position for decades, btw. Silencing the churches via tax exempt status has done alot of damage to morality in this country, IMO.)
The government cannot tax the exercise of religious freedom. That is why churches are tax exempt.
A church is a congregation of believers who gather together to worship and contribute from their already taxed income to pay for their expenses they incur as a church.
Do you really want the government to be able to tax Christians for exercising their right of freedom of religion?
Thank you.
It's NOT Uncle Sam's money!
irs=feds
subpoenas- state
even with your wacko theory the state or city does not have jurisdiction
It’s good to know what to look out for. I had been picturing men in suits.
yep, everything you have said so far is correct!
mark
Just look for flannel in church. HA.
Religious freedom should not be coerced and I’d extend that to any and all nonprofit organizations. We need to get the state out of non profit organizations altogether why it has not been done to this point is more a matter of the state fear of independent power. Individuals paid by those organizations pay taxes and provided that is the case the organization which is non profit should not be considered out of the domain of state taxation provided it is not doing things that are illegal and regardless of the nature of the statutes the enforcement as such is directly in conflict with the first amendment protection of religious freedom and freedom of speech. Just as one can not voluntarily enter a contract under the law as a slave a person can not voluntarily give up their first amendment rights. Churches should be able to endorse candidates directly in accordance with their religious beliefs and take political actions in accordance with their beliefs. The idea that some how churches and non profits should be silenced or intimidated and have the records of their expression of speech audited by the state is ludicrous. The only place that the state has any place in non profits or any business for that matter is in matters of corruption or direct danger to members of the organization or the public. It is pernicious idea that came about during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration and it should be challenged until it is totally destroyed.
She certainly has some big shiny brass ones.
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