[Always Right]

There's a real simple solution to all of this for churches -- abandon their tax-exempt status & electioneer as much as they want.

So you took LBJ's bait hook line and sinker. Churches in this country ALWAYS enjoyed tax exempt status without applying for anything. It was not until LBJ wrote an amendment to a bill that became law that made it a quasi-requirement that churches register. Prior to 1954 it was an assumed right of the church to be tax exempt. Now people assume this is some special previledge, but it is not. If there is going to be a separation of Church and State, there better not be any taxes on Churches.

[gdani]

Churches in this country ALWAYS enjoyed tax exempt status without applying for anything. It was not until LBJ wrote an amendment to a bill that became law that made it a quasi-requirement that churches register. Prior to 1954 it was an assumed right of the church to be tax exempt

Actually, they still to this day enjoy tax exemption without having to formally apply for it (unlike non-church organizations). But they must take formal steps to abandon it, if they wish.

Unfortunately , too many churches have forgotten which master they should serve.

[xzins]

Now people assume this is some special previledge, but it is not. If there is going to be a separation of Church and State, there better not be any taxes on Churches.

Precisely. Bullseye.

Excellent comment.

The free exercise provision of the 1st amendment means they cannot curtail my religion, and taking some of my worship money given to God certainly curtails my religion.

If I give the offering plate 10 bucks for the church charities, and only 9 bucks gets there, then they have curtailed my worship of God via charity by $1.

My "exercise" was not "free." It was "curtailed/limited/lessened" by official government act."

[ancient_geezer]

Prior to 1954 it was an assumed right of the church to be tax exempt. Now people assume this is some special previledge, but it is not.

In this you and I can fully agree!!!