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Posted on 05/23/2009 3:19:07 PM PDT by NYer
AUGUSTA, ME - A California-based homosexual-rights group has filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service challenging the tax-exempt status of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maine. The Empowering Spirits Foundation says that by engaging in political activity aimed at overturning Maine's new same-sex "marriage" law, the diocese is violating IRS rules for nonprofits.
A diocese spokesman says IRS policy allows the diocese to participate in the campaign to collect the more than 55,000 voter signatures needed to suspend the law and have voters decide its fate.
After Maine's Legislature passed the bill legalizing same-sex marriage and the governor signed it earlier this month, Bishop Richard Malone called it "a dangerous sociological experiment" and said the diocese would work with others to bring the issue to a vote in November.
Ping!
Portland, Maine is San Francisco East. Getting worse by the day....
If the tax exempt status of the diocese is pulled the diocese is free to engage in unrestricted political activity. Do the homosexuals really want that?
NYer I’ll bet ya a dollar that in time Obamma will tax church’s.
Every day the gays are showing just how “tolerant” they are. I hope gullible people are now waking up especially the sleazy politicians who thought that giving in to the gay agenda would be real easy in their “safe” Democrat districts.
Are all those black churches which had speakers for Obama and chartered buses to take voters to the polls also subject to losing their tax exempt status?
>>NYer I’ll bet ya a dollar that in time Obamma will tax church’s.
If they try to pull the tax exemption of the RCC, they will have to pull the tax exemption of every Black Church in America.
It ain’t gonna happen as long as Rev. wright is pulling the TOTUS-reader’s strings (meaning for the next 4 years).
I mean I bet he tries to tax ALL church’s, Mosques, All religion.
It was bound to happen.
We’re not Catholic but we fully support Bishop Malone. Anyone know the status of or have information on the initiative?
It was going to happen sooner or later. Destruction of the Church seems to be the goal.
And when gay marriage is universally legal, the priests and ministers who refuse to perform the ceremonies will be jailed.Just wait.
In general, no organization may qualify for section 501(c)(3) status if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying). A 501(c)(3) organization may engage in some lobbying, but too much lobbying activity risks loss of tax-exempt status.
Legislation includes action by Congress, any state legislature, any local council, or similar governing body, with respect to acts, bills, resolutions, or similar items (such as legislative confirmation of appointive office), or by the public in referendum, ballot initiative, constitutional amendment, or similar procedure. It does not include actions by executive, judicial, or administrative bodies.
An organization will be regarded as attempting to influence legislation if it contacts, or urges the public to contact, members or employees of a legislative body for the purpose of proposing, supporting, or opposing legislation, or if the organization advocates the adoption or rejection of legislation.
Organizations may, however, involve themselves in issues of public policy without the activity being considered as lobbying. For example, organizations may conduct educational meetings, prepare and distribute educational materials, or otherwise consider public policy issues in an educational manner without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status.
Additional information:
Measuring lobbying activity: substantial part test
Measuring lobbying activity: expenditure test
Page Last Reviewed or Updated: May 08, 2009
Watch what happens if the “hate crimes” bill passes. I see them really coming after churches then. If they refuse to marry homos I see confiscation of church property, fines and possible jail terms for clergy who refuse.
We knew this would come and if hate speech legislation is passed this will only be the beginning. There is a reason they attack us, hold tight to the faith folks. I have this fear that someday that it will be a crime to make the sign of the cross....*sigh*
Ted Kennedy is the leader of the hate crimes bill. They always like to have him lead in all the really far out moonbat bills because Kennedy, like Pelosi is in a safe district, which means the idiot voters will let them do anything.
I would like to see a large number of Catholics and other religions surround Kennedy’s Hyannisport compound. Kennedy has to face the music for what he is doing.
Very interesting idea.They do this in some foreign countries.I like it.
Would that satisfy the radicals???Or would they fight that idea just for the heck of it.
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