The exemption of taxes on churches was intended to free churches from government control through punitive and/or selective taxation. Because (most) churches have always relied on the freewill donations of their members, that lack of taxation was welcome. However, I can't imagine any church body that takes their religion even half-seriously would kowtow to the state based on a tax exemption. I'm not saying it couldn't happen -I'm not that naive - but to ignore your faiths teachings (homosexual behavior is condemned in every major religion, including Islam) in exchange for receiving a tax exemption from the state seems far-fetched. Should this ever occur, I can only imagine the kinds of protests (peaceful and otherwise) that would ensue all over the country - and the huge backlash against the government trying to remove a church's tax exemption if they don't 'recognize' the legitimacy of same-sex 'marriage'. The Muslims - who's religion does not condone homosexual behavior - would be burning down Washington, D.C., guaranteed.
You are very naive. Ask any pastor or church board. The concern with losing the tax exempt status for speaking the wrong thing is something they are all concerned about. That has been the case in every church I have attended (outside of my old small rural church I grew up in). I know of one that got into a dust up in preaching an anti abortion sermon. Seems that the pro aborts saw it as an endorsement of a certain candidate, and reacted to it with a complaint.
You are very naive. Ask any pastor or church board. The concern with losing the tax exempt status for speaking the wrong thing is something they are all concerned about. That has been the case in every church I have attended (outside of my old small rural church I grew up in). I know of one that got into a dust up in preaching an anti abortion sermon. Seems that the pro aborts saw it as an endorsement of a certain candidate, and reacted to it with a complaint.