Posted on 06/18/2010 7:34:06 AM PDT by Cowman
A South Dakota minister says he wants to do for religious freedom what the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. did for civil rights.
The Rev. H. Wayne Williams, pastor of Liberty Baptist Tabernacle in Rapid City, last month endorsed GOP state Sen. Gordon Howie in the South Dakota governor's race, in defiance of the Internal Revenue Service and a federal court ruling and in hopes of producing a landmark constitutional test case.
At issue is an IRS regulation called the Johnson Amendment, enacted in 1954, that says that 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the section of the tax code under which most churches file, cannot endorse a specific political candidate and retain its nonprofit classification.
"Why is it that I cannot walk with my Master, my Lord, in speaking on government issues?" asked Mr. Williams, citing the example of other religious leaders such as King, John the Baptist and biblical prophets, all of whom involved themselves in political issues.
Mr. Howie's campaign, which had actively solicited support from the state's pastors, touted Mr. Williams' endorsement in a press release last month.
Mr. Williams said he will fight for his right to speak from the pulpit whatever he sees most fitting for his congregation, regardless of the consequences.
"I would welcome the history of my Baptist forefathers in going to jail over these issues," he said. "I will not be silenced by intimidation." [snip]
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
BTW the unbiblical and immoral state of the tax structure was a common sermon topic prior to the Revolution.
I would love to see THAT CASE go to the Supreme Court....
Black “pastors” have gotten away with this for decades...and everyone knows it.
The IRS will lose on this one.
I see a removal of their tax exemption coming....
Churches should not file as 501-3c anyway.
Brings them under government regulation.
By signing that form, the church implicitly agrees to being regulated by the government.
The pastor will simply have his 501-3c status revoked.
Donations made to the church he oversees will no longer be tax-deductible.
Any fiduciary contracts he made under 501-3c will be null and void.
Is this one black?
The IRS will lose on this one.
I've always been puzzled that when black churches host libtard candidates that they are obviously endorsing, no one makes a peep.
Still, I think most pastors and churches would be well advised to stay out of politics.
> I would love to see THAT CASE go to the Supreme Court....
It will never get there.
This is the IRS.
Placing a church under 501-3c places them under IRS regulation.
No church is required to file 501-3c.
Churches that are not under 501-3c can endorse whoever they want, even make political speeches, publish political manifestos, and participate in campaigns.
501-3c is voluntary servitude.
You can. But you can't endorse candidates while a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
If you don't like it, renounce the tax status of your church or reincorporate under a different tax status so you can say whatever you please. It's a pretty simple solution.
And they are still doing it. Long is GA is one of them.
This guy made the mistake of endorsing a REPUBLICAN!! An EXAMPLE must be made of HIM!
What about outfits like Planned Parenthood or ACORN that are purely political but their nonprofit tax status remains unchallenged?
Unitarians are also notorious for endorsing candidates and we all know what party along with platform,Unitarians endorse.
“when black churches host libtard candidates that they are obviously endorsing, no one makes a peep”
The Radical Democrat Black Pastors do it because they know they won’t be challenged, lest they cry “RACISM!!!”, and the white churches don’t dare challenge it because of the costs litigation in fighting the Government.
It’s good to see someone finally stepping up to the pump against this denial of religious freedom.
Careful! if you upset the Unitarians they may burn a question mark on youe lawn.
Does anyone know what the churches should file under that gives them and their donors exemption from tax and allows political speech without violating IRS rules?
If you have evidence they are endorsing candidates and/or participating in political campaigns then publicize it & report them.
But also keep in mind many non-profits are not only 501(c)(3). Many also incorporate as a technically separate organization under 501(c)(4) status, or as a PAC, or a different entity. They'll then engage in various activities under one status that they are forbidden to under another.
I'm under the impression most large, national non-profits do exactly this.
At the least, the Reverend could ask for equal protection.
Indeed. I've found hardly anyone knows churches have to opt out (if wanted) & don't need to opt in.
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