Churches voluntarily (key word) give up their First Amendment rights in exchange for tax-exempt status.
If they wish to politicize their sermons, all they have to do is pay taxes like everyone else does.
He said he will inform his roughly 3,500 congregants about the investigation at Sunday's services, and will seek their advice on whether to comply.
The very next time I get a subpoena, I'll ask 3 or 4 thousand of my closest friends whether or not I should comply.
L
How can anything under sanction of taxes be considered voluntary?
Churches are already excepted from tax under IRC 501 c 3. Yes, that is correct. A Christian church is already exempt from tax in the United States, and needs to do nothing to secure that exemption. And those giving to this church may legally claim a tax deduction for any donations made.
Only when a church incorporates must it file for tax-exempt status. When a Church becomes a 501(c)3 corporation, it no longer is protected by the First Amendment. Now the Church is under the jurisdiction of the State and must comply with all corporate laws. This confuses many Christians.
Approximately 23% of all churches in the US are operating as a non-incorperated tax exempt church, though many of these do apply for and obtain 501(c)3 status for their auxiliary enterprises that conduct charitable activities that are essentially nonreligious in nature.
If you don't want the government dictating what you church can or cannot say, dissolve your corporations, and be the prophetic voice God intended the Church to be.