Pastor to Taunt IRS Over Free Speech

Townhall.com ^ | October 5, 2012 | Gina Loudon

[Biggirl]

What happened Wednesday night was the start of a taking back of America.

[TheRobb7]

It is a sad day in America when the IRS can decide what can and cannot be spoken from the pulpit ...

[joe fonebone]

It is all about the money..

These churches just LOVE the tax exempt status they get from the IRS for not speaking up...

If these churches just exempted themselves, they could say whatever they wanted..

Follow the dollar sign...

[Biggirl]

Yet NO PROBLEM if it is from a “black church”.

[generally]

Yet another of the MANY reasons to abolish the IRS.

[FES0844]

Bring back the fire & brimstone & nuns in traditional habits. Scare them straight!

[Arm_Bears]

Mainline churches are as corrupt as any other aspect of the Establishment.

[I want the USA back]

There are thousands of inner city churches which endorse democrat candidates. Then there are the fake churches. Obama attended one of those for years. They are not churches. They are political organizations cleverly disguised as churches, so they can retain their tax-exempt status.

None of those churches have ever received a visit from the federal SS forces.

[RAY]

You are right on!! They, “minority” churches, have been allowed to campaign, for the left, from the pulpit for many years — since I can remember; I am now 75.

[Tzfat]

If these churches just exempted themselves, they could say whatever they wanted

Precisely.

[fuzzylogic]

Here’s the thing...it’s my understanding that Churches are automatically exempt from paying taxes. They’re not required to file a 501c3 (non-profit) form and it’s a complete lie that they can only remain a non-profit by staying away from politics.

The law specifically exempts the Church. Prior to 1954 they *never* filed, it’s a complete misunderstanding that they must now. The “separation of church and state” goes both ways...the IRS has no jurisdiction over the Church. The power to tax is the power to destroy, how is that in-line with free speech and the 1st amendment?

[haywoodwebb]

You are correct. A church has automatic tax exempt status. It cannot be revoked because it is never applied for. Many churches do apply as 501c3 orgs but they are not required to. More info here

I was a member at the Church at Pierce Creek, (now Landmark Church,) when their tax exempt status had been "revoked." It only applied to the 501c3 designation. The church was still tax exempt by law. They were just suing because they wanted the 501 back.

[DrewsMum]

Bookmark

[joe fonebone]

If you take the king’s money, you do the king’s bidding...

[Taxman]

Every pastor in the USA should support the FairTax because the FairTax restores EVERY pastor’s First Amendment rights.

No such entity as a “non-profit” under the FairTax — No businesses will pay federal income tax because the FIT is ABOLISHED!

Check it out: http://www.fairtax.org.

[Taxman]

See my post #16.

[joe fonebone]

I see what you are saying, but in this case your logic is flawed...

The only speech that has been taken away is because they enjoy their tax exempt status..

Money means more than to them than the free speech does..

Like I said, if you take the kings money, you do the kings bidding...

[fuzzylogic]

Ok, thanks. So what is the benefit of having 501 status?

[haywoodwebb]

It's been almost 17 years since I was there but I think they were using it as a publishing arm of the church. Definitely a separate function from the church proper.