Posted on 06/29/2015 5:02:53 AM PDT by Servant of the Cross
For years conservatives and proponents of religious liberty in America have warned that if same-sex marriage became legal, the left would then pursue revoking the tax exempt status for religious institutions, particularly Christian churches, around the country.
Just days after the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that gay marriage is a constitutional right, progressive activists like Mark Oppenheimer of the New York Times are calling for tax exempt statutes to be stripped.
The Supreme Court's ruling on gay marriage makes it clearer than ever that the government shouldn't be subsidizing religion and non-profits.
Rather than try to rescue tax-exempt status for organizations that dissent from settled public policy on matters of race or sexuality, we need to take a more radical step. It’s time to abolish, or greatly diminish, their tax-exempt statuses.
Defenders of tax exemptions and deductions argues that if we got rid of them charitable giving would drop. It surely would, although how much, we can’t say. But of course government revenue would go up, and that money could be used to, say, house the homeless and feed the hungry. We’d have fewer church soup kitchens — but countries that truly care about poverty don’t rely on churches to run soup kitchens.
So yes, the logic of gay-marriage rights could lead to a reexamination of conservative churches’ tax exemptions (although, as long as the IRS is afraid of challenging Scientology’s exemption, everyone else is probably safe). But when that day comes, it will be long overdue. I can see keeping some exemptions; hospitals, in particular, are an indispensable, and noncontroversial, public good. And localities could always carve out sensible property-tax exceptions for nonprofits their communities need. But it’s time for most nonprofits, like those of us who faithfully cut checks to them, to pay their fair share.
Incredible.
The left will claim they aren't singling out religious institutions through their calls for the revocation of tax exempt statuses because they include non-profits, but the fact is that a majority of non-profits in the country are religious. The Salvation Army, which truly helps the homeless and addicted clean up their lives and get off the streets, is one example.
Meanwhile, the ACLU said over the weekend it will no longer defend the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in the 1990s after a unanimous vote in the Senate.
Although Justice Kennedy did carve out an exception for religious liberty in his opinion on same-sex marriage last week, it won't be enough to protect it going forward.
"Finally, it must be emphasized that religions, and those who adhere to religious doctrines, may continue to advocate with utmost, sincere conviction that, by divine precepts, same-sex marriage should not be condoned. The First Amendment ensures that religious organizations and persons are given proper protection as they seek to teach the principles that are so fulfilling and so central to their lives and faiths, and to their own deep aspirations to continue the family structure they have long revered. The same is true of those who oppose same-sex marriage for other reasons. In turn, those who believe allowing same-sex marriage is proper or indeed essential, whether as a matter of religious conviction or secular belief, may engage those who disagree with their view in an open and searching debate. The Constitution, however, does not permit the State to bar same-sex couples from marriage on the same terms as accorded to couples of the opposite sex," Kennedy said in the opinion.
Religious liberty is under attack in America and the next five years will serve as a battleground to protect or destroy it. If religious liberty is in fact destroyed, America will no longer hold onto one of the most important principles that makes it an exceptional nation more tolerant than the rest in the world. We are at a tipping point.
Absolutely!
I was just about to say that IF LOSING TAX STATUS MEANS THE CHURCHES ARE FREE...FREE TO SPEAK THE TRUTH, IT IS WORTH IT.
I would gladly contribute more to have that freedom.
Overall, that makes the price of freedom pretty cheap.
“First they came for your tax exemption. That is only the start.”
Of course. We are not greater than our Master.
If you lose your religious freedom, you have already or will eventually lose all other freedoms.
Really beginning to understand what the Jews felt like in 1930s Germany.
This will be the end of many small Christian schools.
Disgusting liberal arrogance. The government should be doing these things, not charitable organizations, he says. So strip good, decent people of tax-exempt status and use the resulting revenues to run programs overseen by heaven only knows who. Maybe by arrogant pricks not unlike Oppenheimer.
Yes, I know some charities are also run by arrogant pricks who take a nice cut for themselves as well, but at least you can research and choose the charities you donate to, unlike the government, which forces you to part with some of your money.
So much for separation of Church and state.
Once they've belittled Christianity, sure, why wouldn't they think it should come under even more control - and taxation. Some fascists are looking at all the money moving through Churches and they want their cut. They desperately want to get their greedy little fingers on it.
This has been a brewing item, ever since the 1980’s conservative/megachurch movement that defeated the Communist left Clinton Administration.
For years, the IRS has been watching these churches, even under the Bush administration, for infringement of their 503c, with what was being preached from the pulpit.
So now, they have changed thier target, but it is the same train of thought ... close you down.
Agreed...though I imagine hate speech laws will multiply so as to effectively intimidate many who speak their mind. However, none of this approximates the burden Christ took on the Cross.
Gay marriage was about WEAPON AQUISITION, the better to attack churches.
Same strategy as the Cake War.
Demand they do the same to the NFL and claim, “Equal Protection.”
Then, grab the popcorn.
Why is the first reaction of conservatives to wring their hands and say “oooh that won’t work because of this.... and that won’t work because of that. Rush is beginning to sound like that. Nothing we do will work!!!!
Well, for Heaven’s sake at least try it. Try something.!!
It’s not that simple for non-profit faith based groups who will be forced to admit or hire homosexuals. Consider the effect on Christian schools, Christian camps, or even volunteer ministries.
For example, I volunteer in a prison ministry which enables me to go to prisons to teach the Bible. It’s on a shoestring budget, and most of our staff are volunteers. Will we now be required to allow homosexuals to teach our religious curriculum or fear losing tax exempt status? Remember, that tax exemption applies to not only the organizational budget, but to our donors’ gifts.
The same goes for Christian schools, who will now be forced to hire homosexual teachers/ staff or lose their tax exempt status. This goes far beyond the marriage question, because this ruling has created a new protected class.
People are really naive if they think that the Left will stop with taking away tax exemptions. If only. It will just be the beginning of the persecutions for being a Christian ....
I wonder what symbol they will require being sewn onto the clothing of people who cling to their religion ....
They have been planning to do this for a long time. It will happen soon. Some gay couple will go to a church and demand to be married and sue when they are refused.
Only the Party will be tax-exempt in the Leftists’ wonderful future.
Religious voting with their money.
-PJ
It won’t be 6 weeks before a church or pastor is in court because of his beliefs.
“government shouldn’t be subsidizing religion and non-profits”.
The Government is doing no such thing. It is OUR money as taxpayers. It is not government’s money.
Abolish the IRS.
Christianity thrives under persecution. God knows this.
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