Ping-a-roo!
Relax. There will be zero enforcement against mosques and black liberal churches.
Looks like the IRS trumps the first ammendment to the constitution. One can dream that the Supreme Court members are able to read (and write).
P.S. Interested in a Freeper in Congress? Keep in touch with me.
Congressman Billybob
Latest article: "Stupidity about WW III: 'Here's your Sign' "
You're wrong. If churches want to maintain their tax exceptions they need to stay out of politics. That's the law.
The difference now seems to be that for a change it's going to be enforced. This will cripple black churches if it's enforced evenly.
The great abuser --- the First AME Church. It is nothing but a political arm of the Rat party.
Churches where Revrund Jackson and Revrund Sharpton, or any churches where Democrats are campaigning, need not worry.
This ruling only applies to conservatives and churches that believe the Bible.
I saw this. I always found it interesting how the IRS (and yes, liberal bed wetters) treat the church as an independent being that exists in some sort of vaccuum. Last I heard a church's membership is comprised by persons who already presumably pay taxes, and whatever funds a church acquires is from those persons.
-PJ
There is this matter of a little bit of law that gets in the way. If you want to maintain your tax-free status; you must be non-political. Now, if you want to become a political entity, and accept or solicit funds for political causes; knock yourself out. However, in keeping with the laws on the books; you can not do this and remain in the tax-free status.
Do you know how the limitations on the political activities of non-profits came about?
From the website: Renew America
"Approximately half a century ago, then-Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson (D-T.X.) successfully attached a restriction on the partisan activity of non-profit groups to that year's tax bill. At the time, no one recognized the seemingly minor attachment as a major development in the American political or religious communities. Yet, the relationship between God and government had been significantly altered. After the sea change, churches were prohibited from engaging in partisan activities such as endorsing candidates. Violators can lose their tax exempt status.
Congressman Jones accurately labels Lyndon Johnson's law as politically motivated. Many Texas-based non-profits opposed Johnson's reelection bid for the U.S. Senate, and he had no intention of allowing them to interfere for a second time. Using his position as majority leader, Johnson was able to effectively legislate his opposition out of existence."
The Texas-based non-profits were Baptist churches, or should I say Baptist preachers who were warning their congregations of Johnson's bad character. LBJ didn't like their "meddling" so the used legislation to silence his opponents.
Irrespective of his having been a government employee off and on for a number of years under various Presidents, he's also worked for 10 years as an executive with the Pechiney Group, ONE OF FRANCEs largest industrial groups which is where he lost his identity as an American with due sensitivity to the needs and feelings of the religious majority in this country.
Where'd Bush dig this one up? Is he another one of those semi-closeted types like that ne'er do well who screwed up FEMA during the Katrina crisis?
The only way this will work out well is if this character manages to anger a very large number of people. Then, we might get the support necessary to get the rule(s) rescinded. As it is, I'm not going to let a note by a petty bureaucrat having a hissy fit bother me in the least. Insofar as I can find the time to violate this order I will do so.
Sic Semper Tyronnis.
They can say whatever they want. There is no reason for my tax dollars to go to support political speech (such as encouraging, aiding and abetting Illegal Invasions). You want the exemption, follow the rules. If you want to say whatever you want in violation of those rules, give up the exemption.
The biggest issue is that this isn't being evenly applied. ALL tax-exempt churches should be barred from entering the political fray.
No, it's not wrong. If churches want to give up their tax advantages, they can do exactly what they want, politically. But I, as a taxpayer, do not want to subsidize any political activities that I don;t directly support.
This is not WRONG. Churches should not be involved in endorsing candidates. They are tax free because they are not a political organization. If they want to pay taxes, their FREE SPEECH can be exorcised. Every "Religious" non-profit entity knows the rules when they get their IRS status.
This IRS intimidation campaign applies of course ONLY to support for Republicans.
White churches I suppose . They won't dare go after a black church I bet . . .