Posted on 06/28/2015 10:10:01 PM PDT by Nachum
From Mark Oppenheimer in Time:
Two weeks ago, with a decision in Obergefell v. Hodges on the way, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) 100% of Utah introduced the First Amendment Defense Act, which ensures that religious institutions won’t lose their tax exemptions if they don’t support same-sex marriage. Liberals tend to think Sen. Lee’s fears are unwarranted, and they can even point to Justice Anthony Kennedy’s opinion in Friday’s case, which promises “that religious organizations and persons [will be] given proper protection.”
But I don’t think Sen. Lee is crazy. In the 1983 Bob Jones University case, the court ruled that a school could lose tax-exempt status if its policies violated “fundamental national public policy.” So far, the Bob Jones reasoning hasn’t been extended to other kinds of discrimination, but someday it could be. I’m a gay-rights supporter who was elated by Friday’s Supreme Court decision — but I honor Sen. Lee’s fears.
I don’t, however, like his solution. And he’s not going to like mine. Rather than try to rescue tax-exempt status for organizations that dissent from settled public policy on matters of race or sexuality, we need to take a more radical step. It’s time to abolish, or greatly diminish, their tax-exempt statuses.
(Excerpt) Read more at time.com ...
Government pays for everything you just stated, for plenty of people already, and they probably arent going to your church. This is why libtards wanted government to do charity innstead of where its supposed to be done.
Does anyone who is sane trust what Justice Kennedy says?
planned parentghood gets 500 million a year from government. it will be able to pay its taxes.
Wow, the Liberals are going Warp 9 for sure.
The Democrats want to see if they can lose a majority of the black vote?
While conservatives were sitting on their asses being the smartest people in the room, the left took over.
If I was a liberal in 2015, I’d be laughing and crapping on everyone too.
No one ANYWHERE is lifting a finger to stop them. :)
I knew that after some acrimonious discussions with gays years ago on the Catholic newsgroup. That is the end game. And since people are never satisfied with the status quo and their newfound power, it won't stop there.
What next? Forced indoctrination? Prison for teaching or talking about Christian truth? Something darker and more sinister?
Just saw on Newser that 5 black churches have burned in the Southeast, one in Georgia, one in Tennessee, one in Charlotte or NC for sure, can't remember the other two. At least one was determined to be arson. I'll keep my eye on that development. It could be more fuel for a race war and with the Confederate flag and all, and red flags and all, I'm thinking possibly false flag to incite a race war.
Time to end the antitrust exemption for government.
Same here.
He doesn’t understand that the church and churches have never paid taxes. They are tax exempt for that reason.
This guy thinks the church is subservient to the state while the christians that founded this country believe exactly the opposite.
The homosexualists want to be treated exactly like any other aggrieved minority in today’s America. Are there any churches or organizations anywhere that are allowed to discriminate against blacks or refuse to recognize interracial marriages? None that I know of.
I’m not saying discrimination is good. Race in particular is a specifically protected classification per the US Constitution. Sexual preferences of any kind are not. However, the left believes sexual preference isn’t really a preference. In spite of all the evidence, they think people are born homosexual. Therefore, sexual preference should be treated the same as skin color for example.
So this Supreme Legislature vote was really just the opening salvo. Instead of letting this discussion work it’s way out via democratic processes, they cut off the discussion. What we believe about homosexuality is irrelevant if we’re prohibited from acting on those beliefs, and that is exactly where this is leading.
Anyone opposed to homosexuality will be treated just like we treat racists.
Ya know, that might not be so bad after all. Just might attend church a lot more during the week if we could talk politics.
No, it’s time to end taxation of organizations. Period.
How much less crony capitalism we’d have right off the bat, as well as freedom from many types of coercion.
Never happen. If it comes to turning their backs on their churches, or giving up free sh!t, the black churches won't have a chance.
I would be in favor of ending tax exempt status for EVERY organization. Repeal section 501(c). End the concept of “non-profit”. That would affect more Leftist organizations than Right.
I’m okay with that if they start with Mosques first, then after 10 years pick one or two more religions for a follow up test run.
It's hard to argue that Joel Osteen isn't making a profit.
The benefits may outweigh the costs if this sobers up the liberal clergy. For example, this may diminish the Catholic bishops' fondness for taxation, and reconnect them with the principle of subidiarity.
A fully taxable church would have to pay income tax on all contributions less deductible business expenses, would pay property and sales tax from which now currently exempt, and couldn’t offer donors a tax deduction.
African American churches would be far less effected, by the way.
The typical African American church derives most of its revenue from its dual status as a conduit for government social service dollars. What’s left in its budget it funded by donors far less likely to itemize deductions. It usually occupies low value real estate.
-PJ
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