Comments on: Churches that staged protest wait for IRS response

By: H. (Bart) Vincelette

H. (Bart) Vincelette — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:29:32 +0000

I think it was Bill Maher who said that we gays should declare our homosexuality to be our religion , and acquire tax exempt status . Nothing I’ve seen from the religious right over the past three decades , even resemples anything one would call ‘love’ or ‘compassion’. Their endeavours are nothing less than hatred. It seems that the right wing have to have an enemy at all times, and having lost African-Americans and godless Commies as substantive entities to battle ; they have turned to gays and illegal immigrants who have selfishly taken away the much coveted conservative Christian means of gainful employment like picking lettuce and kumqats.

By: Sarrellec

Sarrellec — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:33:31 +0000

Thomas said:
“And if they don’t act, and thereby break the law themselves, then how can we get those in the IRS who are breaking the law prosecuted? Since when are laws merely suggestions?”
You’ve noticed that too, hunh?
Obama tells us that criminal acts that happened in the past should just be forgotten so we can look forward.
Churches engage in political action from the pulpit, and the IRS–I am STILL wondering about THAT one! Shouldn’t the House or the Senate be in charge of enforcing laws?–is waiting to decide if it’s “worth it” to enforce the law.
How many billions of dollars have simply disappeared since the beginning of the Iraq war and NO ONE is being held accountable?
Isn’t it a bit obvious by now?
There are at least two, if not more, sets of standards for the enforcement of law in this country.
There is a standard for politicians.
There is a standard for the rich.
There is a standard for gay citizens.
There is a standard for the working and working poor.
There are so many people above the law now–and we wonder why the 14th Amendment isn’t being enforced for gay citizens.
Something not nearly as important, but indicative anyway:
We are going to Scotland for vacation this year. It is our first trip abroad.
We would like to take our two pet shih tzus, but they would be held in quarantine longer than our vacation, so we’re having to board them.
How many times have you seen pics of celebrities or the rich getting off of airplanes with small dogs in their carry-alls? No quarantine.
Oh yeah…another one:
Bush, by Canadian law, was not to be allowed into Canada. He’s already been once, and is planning on being there again with Clinton.
So, Canada, a country respected for its fairness in civic law becomes just another statistic.
A different standard of law for the haves, the have mores, and the rest of us.
Now, the big question:
What the hell can we do about it?
—–nothing—-

By: montrealbren

montrealbren — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:47:40 +0000

“I don’t let the federal government dictate to me what I can and cannot preach,” he said. “I answer to a higher power than the federal government.”

Fine. Dandy. Now pay your damn taxes, just like the law says. We poor folk need your damn money.

By: Robert, NYC

Robert, NYC — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:05:37 +0000

TJNV…Tom….I think that situation is now reversed. It clearly hasn’t worked. Churches are now buying politicians as we saw in the last 8 years under the Bush regime. Churches do influence the outcome of legislation and elections. Its about time they were put on notice. I’m all for taxing them like any other business. Why should they be above the law, that’s not what democracy is all about? I’d like to see a big movement started to put an end to privilege and elitism.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:51:15 +0000

I’m still trying to figure out the “waiting to learn whether the Internal Revenue Service will take action against them.” Is it a damned law or isn’t it? If it is, and the IRS doesn’t act, aren’t they themselves breaking the law? And if they don’t act, and thereby break the law themselves, then how can we get those in the IRS who are breaking the law prosecuted? Since when are laws merely suggestions? Is paying our taxes into the IRS merely a suggestion? If so I would love to opt out.

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 01:16:36 +0000

Churches are extremely political and should be taxed. They would then be honest and free to say whatever they want. Churches are now above the law. One large church in the US is the largest pedophile ring in the world and the leaders that allowed this to go on have never been brought to justice.

By: Sarrellec

Sarrellec — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 21:57:28 +0000

Folks, I just e-mailed the title and first paragraph of this story to my Federal Rep from the State of Maine and asked him the question I posed here.
I suggest you all do the same.

By: Sarrellec

Sarrellec — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 21:45:30 +0000

Question:
Why is this up to the IRS?
Is this a LAW (tax-exempt status) or an IRS statute?
Just curious.

By: Bob from Arlington, VA

Bob from Arlington, VA — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:20:58 +0000

“I answer to a higher power than the federal government.”

What an incredibly arrogant thing to say. Bring the hammer down, IRS, and HARD!

By: Burnf

Burnf — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 13:41:19 +0000

The law needs to be enforced. If it’s not, then political groups will corrupt churches with political funds.