Churches Won’t Be Charged “Rain Tax” if they Preach Against Global Warming

FrontPage Mag ^ | 11/20/2014 | Daniel Greenfield

[SeekAndFind]

If the left can’t get around the First Amendment one way, it will find another way around it.

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley made national news last year when he fought to pass and signed a tax bill that levied a tax on Marylanders, businesses and churches for the amount of “impervious surface” they have on their property.

Though the O’Malley administration calls it a “fee,” it is commonly called the “rain tax” throughout the state. It is wildly unpopular and the promise to fight to repeal the tax was a large factor in Maryland electing Republican Larry Hogan governor this month.

Now Prince George’s County is offering a way for churches to avoid paying the tax, which is estimated to be an average of $744 per year for them — preach “green” to their parishioners.

So far 30 pastors have agreed to begin “‘green’ ministries to maintain the improvements at their churches, and to preach environmentally focused sermons to educate their congregations” to avoid being hit with the tax, The Washington Post reports.

No church and state problems here. No ACLU lawsuits. No sermon subopenas. Just a good old-fashioned state church preaching the word of Mother Earth and Global Warming and green energy subsidies for highly deserving businesses.

But school vouchers so inner city kids can get access to a better education is still the devil. Every good liberal will be up in arms about it.

 

[SeekAndFind]

So, this is the Martin O’Malley many Democrats are urging to run for President...

[Red Badger]

We need Separation of Church FROM state!...................

[circlecity]

So, Churches will be punished if their Pastors don’t preach State approved sermons?

[Know et al]

I guess extortion is only illegal when it's not the government that does it.

[Alex Murphy]

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley made national news last year when he fought to pass and signed a tax bill that levied a tax on Marylanders, businesses and churches for the amount of “impervious surface” they have on their property. Though the O’Malley administration calls it a “fee,” it is commonly called the “rain tax” throughout the state. It is wildly unpopular and the promise to fight to repeal the tax was a large factor in Maryland electing Republican Larry Hogan governor this month. Now Prince George’s County is offering a way for churches to avoid paying the tax, which is estimated to be an average of $744 per year for them — preach “green” to their parishioners. So far 30 pastors have agreed to begin “‘green’ ministries to maintain the improvements at their churches, and to preach environmentally focused sermons to educate their congregations” to avoid being hit with the tax, The Washington Post reports.

IMO they should lose their 501(c)3 status for doing so.

[ThomasThomas]

So if your roof leaks your exempt?

[SeekAndFind]

RE: So, Churches will be punished if their Pastors don’t preach State approved sermons?

Yep, and their sermon text will be subpoenaed.

See what the Mayor of Houston demanded just a few weeks ago...

[GeronL]

tax benefits for preaching what the state wants preached!

tyrants

[Gamecock]

**So far 30 pastors have agreed to begin “‘green’ ministries to maintain the improvements at their churches, and to preach environmentally focused sermons to educate their congregations” to avoid being hit with the tax, The Washington Post reports.**

Whores.

[MeshugeMikey]

I see a lot of pattern drilling in Church parking lots being done in the near future...

there may be a way around this MESS....after an initial “investment” in Greenie Approved Infrastructure

once paid for.....no Taxes...

http://raingardens.spawnusa.org/san-anselmo-public-library-rain-garden.html

[Regulator]

Nice to see we have an Established Church again.

Complete with its own system of Indulgences.

[Tenacious 1]

It sounds like the government is now endorsing a religion based on coerced beliefs and preaching.

In this case, government is not only showing favoritism, they are changing the faith of religions to encorporate the religion of global warming.

And there are faithful people that have agreed to this? Christ would not be happy.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Hate to point this out, but the Constitution restricts only the Federal Government from sticking it’s nose into religion. CONGRESS shall make no law. That is all of it.

States are free to trample on churches all they want to.
Most are smarter than to actually try though.

[JPG]

a 'rain tax' makes no sense

[Red Badger]

What’s the difference between the Mafia and the government?

The Mafia is more honest....................

[bray]

Put no other gods before me. That includes Gaia.

Pray America is waking

[I want the USA back]

Complete and total fascism, the ultimate goal of the democrat party.

[SeekAndFind]

re: Hate to point this out, but the Constitution restricts only the Federal Government from sticking it’s nose into religion. CONGRESS shall make no law. That is all of it.

States are free to trample on churches all they want to.
Most are smarter than to actually try though.

_____________________________________

from the constitution of Maryland:

Art. 36.

That as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him, all persons are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty; wherefore, no person ought by any law to be molested in his person or estate, on account of his religious persuasion, or profession, or for his religious practice, unless, under the color of religion, he shall disturb the good order, peace or safety of the State, or shall infringe the laws of morality, or injure others in their natural, civil or religious rights; nor ought any person to be compelled to frequent, or maintain, or contribute, unless on contract, to maintain, any place of worship, or any ministry; nor shall any person, otherwise competent, be deemed incompetent as a witness, or juror, on account of his religious belief; provided, he believes in the existence of God, and that under His dispensation such person will be held morally accountable for his acts, and be rewarded or punished therefor either in this world or in the world to come.

Nothing shall prohibit or require the making reference to belief in, reliance upon, or invoking the aid of God or a Supreme Being in any governmental or public document, proceeding, activity, ceremony, school, institution, or place.

[CodeToad]

Sounds like extortion.