It Begins: New Calls To Strip Churches of Tax Exempt Status After Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

Townhall.com ^ | 6/29/2015 | Katie Pavlich

[Maris Crane]

Absolutely!
I was just about to say that IF LOSING TAX STATUS MEANS THE CHURCHES ARE FREE...FREE TO SPEAK THE TRUTH, IT IS WORTH IT.
I would gladly contribute more to have that freedom.
Overall, that makes the price of freedom pretty cheap.

[OpusatFR]

“First they came for your tax exemption. That is only the start.”

Of course. We are not greater than our Master.

[Servant of the Cross]

Wrong. It is not either/or, it is both/and. The fight for religious freedom is as important as the fight for national security.

If you lose your religious freedom, you have already or will eventually lose all other freedoms.

"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

[ThunderSleeps]

Really beginning to understand what the Jews felt like in 1930s Germany.

[keats5]

This will be the end of many small Christian schools.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Defenders of tax exemptions and deductions argues that if we got rid of them charitable giving would drop. It surely would, although how much, we can’t say. But of course government revenue would go up, and that money could be used to, say, house the homeless and feed the hungry. We’d have fewer church soup kitchens — but countries that truly care about poverty don’t rely on churches to run soup kitchens.

Disgusting liberal arrogance. The government should be doing these things, not charitable organizations, he says. So strip good, decent people of tax-exempt status and use the resulting revenues to run programs overseen by heaven only knows who. Maybe by arrogant pricks not unlike Oppenheimer.

Yes, I know some charities are also run by arrogant pricks who take a nice cut for themselves as well, but at least you can research and choose the charities you donate to, unlike the government, which forces you to part with some of your money.

[ThunderSleeps]

Well, if the state is going to tell Christians when, where, and how we can practice our religion - or more specifically, when and where we cannot... Then Christianity starts to look like just another industry for the state to regulate and control.

So much for separation of Church and state.

Once they've belittled Christianity, sure, why wouldn't they think it should come under even more control - and taxation. Some fascists are looking at all the money moving through Churches and they want their cut. They desperately want to get their greedy little fingers on it.

[Terry L Smith]

This has been a brewing item, ever since the 1980’s conservative/megachurch movement that defeated the Communist left Clinton Administration.

For years, the IRS has been watching these churches, even under the Bush administration, for infringement of their 503c, with what was being preached from the pulpit.

So now, they have changed thier target, but it is the same train of thought ... close you down.

[rights with responsibilities]

Agreed...though I imagine hate speech laws will multiply so as to effectively intimidate many who speak their mind. However, none of this approximates the burden Christ took on the Cross.

[gaijin]

Gay marriage was about WEAPON AQUISITION, the better to attack churches.

Same strategy as the Cake War.

[RandallFlagg]

Demand they do the same to the NFL and claim, “Equal Protection.”

Then, grab the popcorn.

[Maris Crane]

Why is the first reaction of conservatives to wring their hands and say “oooh that won’t work because of this.... and that won’t work because of that. Rush is beginning to sound like that. Nothing we do will work!!!!
Well, for Heaven’s sake at least try it. Try something.!!

[keats5]

It’s not that simple for non-profit faith based groups who will be forced to admit or hire homosexuals. Consider the effect on Christian schools, Christian camps, or even volunteer ministries.

For example, I volunteer in a prison ministry which enables me to go to prisons to teach the Bible. It’s on a shoestring budget, and most of our staff are volunteers. Will we now be required to allow homosexuals to teach our religious curriculum or fear losing tax exempt status? Remember, that tax exemption applies to not only the organizational budget, but to our donors’ gifts.

The same goes for Christian schools, who will now be forced to hire homosexual teachers/ staff or lose their tax exempt status. This goes far beyond the marriage question, because this ruling has created a new protected class.

[Servant of the Cross]

Really beginning to understand what the Jews felt like in 1930s Germany.

People are really naive if they think that the Left will stop with taking away tax exemptions. If only. It will just be the beginning of the persecutions for being a Christian ....

I wonder what symbol they will require being sewn onto the clothing of people who cling to their religion ....

[I want the USA back]

They have been planning to do this for a long time. It will happen soon. Some gay couple will go to a church and demand to be married and sue when they are refused.

[Pearls Before Swine]

Only the Party will be tax-exempt in the Leftists’ wonderful future.

[Political Junkie Too]

On the other hand, removing their tax exempt status frees churches to openly campaign for politics. Candidates can appear there, and church leaders can advocate policy positions. Parishioners can choose the church that best fits their beliefs and donate or tithe there.

Religious voting with their money.

-PJ

[MrB]

It won’t be 6 weeks before a church or pastor is in court because of his beliefs.

[AMDG&BVMH]

“government shouldn’t be subsidizing religion and non-profits”.

The Government is doing no such thing. It is OUR money as taxpayers. It is not government’s money.

Abolish the IRS.

[RoosterRedux]

Christianity thrives under persecution. God knows this.