Comments on: Pastor challenges IRS with partisan sermon

By: drewski

drewski — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 05:03:20 +0000

Jeffrey: Recall that the LDS Church seems to be documented as focusing its resources on “stopping the gay agenda”, perhaps for the last ten years. That’s not one isolated ballot issue–it’s an ongoing effort to direct the political process on one issue. That’s what a political action committed does. Also, it has been reported that Mormons were warned by their clergy that they could risk excommunication if they voted against 8. That would seem to count as coercion and intimidation. Finally, it would be much easier for the IRS to take action against the LDS Church, since it’s US-based and doesn’t have the pseudo-state standing that the Catholic Church does (Vatican City is a diplomatically-recognized state).

Far as I know, the IRS hasn’t addressed any of the recent challenges to the exemption rules. Might not happen until after the New Year, in which case Obama will have to decide whether to enforce the letter of the law.

By: swhit

swhit — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 23:52:45 +0000

Its sad, but many Christians, so called have forgotten the love of Christ, and do not truly represent Christ and His teachings, but be encourage that Jesus Christ is still love even if some of His members do not exemplify His love.

By: Glen

Glen — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:20:15 +0000

Having recently left the Anglican Church of Canada over it’s lack of action and as a result of some very cruel and homophobic action by my priest, all I want to ask is……… when are they going to put Christ back in Christian?

By: swhit

swhit — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 21:53:08 +0000

I always look to the Scriptures for insight regarding church matters, and I know that in Matthew 17, Jesus instructed Peter to pay tribute lest we should offend them, and Matthew 22 states render to Caesar the things which are Caesar’s and to God the things that are Gods’. In Hebrews 13, we are taught to obey them that have rule over you and submit yourself. In Romans 13, Paul teaches, let every soul be subject to the higher power, and the powers that be are ordained of God. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil, and do that which is good. In I Corinthians 9, Paul says abuse not my power in the gospel. The IRS has certain guidelines, and it does not forbid churches to talk politics and social issues, churches just cannot endorse a candidate and use funds to support candidates. Also, voting is a private matter, and every member may not support the same politician as the pastor, and this can lead to embarrasment and shame to the parishioner. Futhermore, the pastor can implement sermons that adddress political views, such as Israel requesting as king, like Saul who was detrimental to Israel. Samuel informed Israel of Saul’s plan to take everything from them. There are enough Biblical characters in the Bible to address any issues that comes befor the church. The pastors also needs to ask themselves what are their motive in violating the laws and also causing the brethern to sin, and are their motives clear or is it to control their congregation by forcing their viewpoints on the congregation. Finally, God want his church to be void of contention and division,like in I Corinthians 1:10-13 and politics are a hot item, so let everything in the church be done decent and in order, and let the mindset in us be of Christ Jesus who is the head of the Church. Simply, follow peace with all men because the laws are for the lawless and disobedient, ungodly, sinners, unholy, profane murders and etc. (I Timothy 1:8-10). Peace, Blessings, and love to all.

By: jeffrey

jeffrey — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:59:35 +0000

The restriction does not apply to referendums.

By: Morgan

Morgan — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:04:00 +0000

Chris Sullivan,

I agree with you only insofar as those that engage in politics should lose tax exempt status.

There are churches like mine that do tremendous good for the least in society.
the ministry I am on has several projects for feeding the needy and hungry in our county. Ours is pro-social justice, and has both straight and gay members.

To not allow any churches at all a tax exemption is something (even though I am a gay liberal Democrat party guy who is also Christian) I do not regard as helpful.

I went the atheist route, but am glad that I found a very good church that is very supportive of both spiritual need and of needy, hungry people.

By: Chris Sullivan

Chris Sullivan — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:58:58 +0000

No religious organizations should be given tax exempt status – not requiring them to pay money they otherwise would have to pay is the same thing as giving them money. The U.S. government should not be in the business of supporting any religious institution either directly or indirectly (as is the case here). Then people like this ignorant/arrogant pastor can say whatever he wants and everybody will be happy.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:56:12 +0000

In repsonse to the Catholic Church question…and take this with a grain of salt as I am Canadian and not 100% up on how you guys do things…it is my understanding that churches are permitted to get involved in Ballot Initiatives, but cannot endorse/trash candidates in elections. However, by promoting ballot initiatives, certain churches can “motivate” voter groups to get to the polls who would, coincidentally, endorse the candidate the church would support.

Also, the Catholic Church blackmails politicians with sacraments i.e.: “if you support smae sex relationships, you can’t receive communion; or you’re going to gnash your homo-loving teeth in eternal damnation fire, or some equally
punitve facsimile…

In Columbia, as 365 reported, the Cahtolic Church sujegated the senators to not support same sex rights by threatening with holding communion.

By: Morgan

Morgan — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:55:05 +0000

Bishop Robert Smith’s political endorsements have absolutely to do with the mission of the health of one’s overall peace of heart, mind and soul, of essentially one’s inner being.

The moment my church goes beyond its mission of spiritual needs, of worship and prayer and providing a place of compassion, comfort, friendship and welcome as it should to bowing down to political special interests is the moment I leave.

I deal with politics on a daily basis as it impacts my life and what I can and can’t do and I feel by Sunday that I am ready to toss those ragged cares, concerns and burdens, and tiresome politics momentarily aside.

Politics is a blatant deviation from correct and proper mission and any such church should lose its tax exempt status if such deviation from US tax code regulations occur.

By: MNBear

MNBear — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:17:24 +0000

Scooter and Michael – to the best of my knowledge, the law is crafted in such a fashion that the only thing it *indisputably* conditions is express political advocacy (i.e. campaigning for a specific candidate). It MAY cover more, depending on how the Supreme Court would interpret it.

My guess is that Congress, when they made this amendment to the IRC, was playing it safe out of potential constitutional concerns. (Incidentally, I do support the law as it stands now – it doesn’t seem fair that organizations receiving a tax break, which is effectively a subsidy from the public fisc, should be able to use those public dollars to influence the direction of the public’s representation. It’s a sort of distorting “feedback loop”, and an advantage the rest of us don’t get. I only bring up the constitutional concern in order to speculate why Congress left us hanging – because as much as I support this law, it does seem like the subject matter is *potentially* constitutionally sensitive…)