churches to challenge irs gag rule by promoting candidates from the pulpit

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 7:25am

hah! your rules don't apply to us, screams the pastors. we're going to do what we want when we want! if you don't like it, too bad. if you move to try to make us adhere to the law, you're racists.
preachers for bammy

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 9:33am

I have no problems taking away the tax exempt status of any church that wants to tell it's congregation who to vote for. And that goes for whatever political party they are pushing.

[tazber]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 9:35am

Absurd. The IRS isn't the kind of organization that the ACLU (or whoever) can fight with. They really don't care if pastors think the gag rule is unfair or not.
The churches will lose their tax status and be required to pay.
If a church can't afford the penalty, or loses its status and can't afford its taxes the IRS will shut them down.
It's not like they have to worry about PR.

And quite frankly, I agree with this. Why should they be allowed tax exempt status or parsonage benefits if the violate the law?
I hope they all get what's coming to them if they break the gag rule. What makes them above the law?

And for the record, churches are allowed to distribute voter information and candidate literature. Only the religious leader can't endorse a candidate.


And Marc, I'm glad you have no problem with it, but do you think the churches can afford to pay taxes? Most can not. It's not as simple as you make it seem.

Updated On: 5/12/08 at 09:35 AM

[madbrian]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 9:35am

Does this mean that all the extreme Conservative preachers who have for years supported candidates have forfeited their tax-exempt status?

[tazber]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 9:39am

In case you didn't read the link, this is a concerted effort to break the law publically.

I don't think any of you realize how many churches will possibly close because of this. Or at the very least they will have to cut back on the social programs b/c all their money is going to go to the IRS.

[Mamie]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 9:41am

"'The government should not be telling the church what it should or should not be saying,' says the Rev. Steve Riggle, senior pastor of Grace Community Church in Houston"

.... just send us your tax dollars and get out of our way.

I couldn't agree with you more, pappy. The conservatives have been trying to get this kind of legislation passed for YEARS and I have a feeling that if this were happening on behalf of the Republican candidate, we wouldn't be hearing a thing from you! Still, this outraged me when I read about it. Over the weekend I read about other pastors who were preaching and offering prayers of support for Obama from the pulpit. I just hope that if any of these potential lawsuits are successful that a long line of high profile lawyers are waiting with the counter suits to prevent tax dollars from being spent this way.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 10:05am

actually, mamie, the group behind this is a conservative group. so i guess i better change my tune, huh, since i would never break with the conservative movement on any issue, right?
americans united on the adf

[Elphaba]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 10:44am

Well it's apparent the Mormons could afford to lose their tax exempt status, SINCE THEY STILL ADVERTISE HERE!

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 11:15am

In a sane world, I cannot imagine the churches prevailing if they challenge this law - but then I never thought the federal government would be able to give money to churches for faith-based initiatives until Shrub started to attack the separation of Church and State.

I hope any church (or temple, or mosque) that breaks this rule loses its tax-exempt status.

[DG]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 11:17am

"I hope any church (or temple, or mosque) that breaks this rule loses its tax-exempt status."

I don't think they should have tax-exempt status in the first place.

[Mamie]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 12:02pm

Ooops - as I wrote that I (honestly) had a smile on my face. I just forgot to add it at the end of that line. You're the most honest thinking and speaking Republican I've ever (not actually) met. I'm quite sure that this would have riled you even if it were all done for (and with the backing of) a GOP candidate.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 12:03pm

I like to test the gag rule sometimes.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 12:03pm

harrumph. *carefully combing down my ruffled feathers*

[trinaaron]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 6:57pm

"I hope any church (or temple, or mosque) that breaks this rule loses its tax-exempt status."

I don't think they should have tax-exempt status in the first place."

Most non-profit groups are tax exempt, so why should churches be any different?

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 7:33pm

A basic requirement for tax-exempt status is that the organization is not allowed to participate in campaign activity for any candidate. From the IRS website:


To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.

Organizations described in section 501(c)(3) are commonly referred to as charitable organizations. Organizations described in section 501(c)(3), other than testing for public safety organizations, are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with Code section 170.

The organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, and no part of a section 501(c)(3) organization's net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. If the organization engages in an excess benefit transaction with a person having substantial influence over the organization, an excise tax may be imposed on the person and any organization managers agreeing to the transaction.

Section 501(c)(3) organizations are restricted in how much political and legislative (lobbying) activities they may conduct. For a detailed discussion, see Political and Lobbying Activities. For more information about lobbying activities by charities, see the article Lobbying Issues; for more information about political activities of charities, see the FY-2002 CPE topic Election Year Issues."