IRS Warns Churches About Political Activities, Tax-Exempt Status

[Freeper]

proud2BlibKansan (91,653 posts)

 
IRS Warns Churches About Political Activities, Tax-Exempt Status

WASHINGTON (June 1, 2012)--IRS regional manager Peter Lorenzetti told pastors attending the Faith Leaders Summit meeting in Washington that activities that could result in loss of tax-exempt status include endorsing or opposing candidates, campaigning for them or making contributions to their campaigns.

But pastors are free to do any of those things as private citizens, U.S> Rep. G. K. Butterfield, D-N.C., said.

"You simply cannot do it in your capacity as the pastor of the church and give the implication that the church is endorsing the candidate,” Butterfield, a former judge, said.

Lorenzetti said churches can distribute voter guides that educate about political issues without favoring a particular candidate.

http://www.kwtx.com/centraltexasvotes/home/headlines/IRS_Warns_Churches_About_Political_Activities_Tax-Exempt_Status_156394895.html#.T8sC7wL_8Gw.facebook

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002759874

I find it strange that when Holder had that meeting of how to keep the IRS off the back of the church, they only invited black pastors. Maybe this isn't Carter's second term, it's Nixon's third.

Zalatix (4,513 posts)
1. Oh noes! The power to tax is the power to destroy! If we tax churches, they're as good as destroyed!

Let's tax unions and see if you like that one.

Zorra (15,734 posts)
8. The revenue brought in from taxing churches would be enormous.

We could use that enormous revenue to feed the hungry, care for the sick, house the homeless, educate children, etc.

It's too late for IRS reprimands. All churches should have their tax exempt status revoked ASAP

The problem of political preaching from the religious pulpit is so widespread that sanctions against churches that use the pulpit for political purposes are unenforceable.

There are too many RW churches already doing this, and it would cost the law enforcement agencies responsible for sanctioning offending churches more than their entire annual budget to investigate and enforce laws.

These irresponsible, hate driven fundies are ruining things for the responsible churches, just like they are ruining impressionable minds, and our country.

SSDD.

So now the government should take from the church and help the poor. Anyone else think there is something wrong with that?

JNelson6563 (22,891 posts)
9. My daughter recently visited her grandma.

My ex's mom, Lutheran and increasingly right wing. So to make grandma happy my daughter goes to church with her. Apparently the preacher went on and on about how Obama isn't a "real" Christian and the like. Very bigoted and nasty. My daughter was all the more certain churches aren't for her (the kids and I are basically heathens). She was shocked at how hateful the talk was and how political.

I say it's high time this shit stopped. In 2004 I stopped by a monastery and in the vestibule there was big stack of political fliers telling people to vote pro-life and making it clear they meant Bush. I took that stack of propaganda and threw it away.

Julie

Let's play spot the bouncy. You know the bullshit stories that were named because of the bouncing icon at DU, according to Atman. 

Hey DUmmies why do you hate black people? If we start taxing churches it will hurt the black community, or are you wanting them to get waivers like 0bama gives for his health care law?

[AprilRazz]

Zorra (15,734 posts)
8. The revenue brought in from taxing churches would be enormous.

We could use that enormous revenue to feed the hungry, care for the sick, house the homeless, educate children, etc.

Silly me, I thought most churches did that already. So tell me zero, do you want all the money going to take care of the poor or just a small fraction? Go with your plan it will be the latter.

[DumbAss Tanker]

We all know Holder's DOJ isn't going to prosecute any Black churches for supporting Odumbo, and if Jughead loses hopefully any shit his AG starts will go out with him.

[JohnnyReb]

Anybody know where a bunch of white Methodist can get a conservative black preacher?

There's more than one way to skin a cat.

[Kyle Ricky]

There was a special speaker at my church one time.  He was from Georgia, he was black, and he was conservative. He was one of the best preachers I have ever heard.

[docstew]

Anybody know where a bunch of white Methodist can get a conservative black preacher?

There's more than one way to skin a cat.

Not sure about the Methodist part, but THE Herman Cain is a minister for his church. Write him and let us know what happens...

[BlueStateSaint]

Not sure about the Methodist part, but THE Herman Cain is a minister for his church. Write him and let us know what happens...

I'll tell you what--this Catholic would donate a lot of money to hear that sermon/homily.

[movie buff]

"We could use that enormous revenue to feed the hungry, care for the sick, house the homeless, educate children, etc."
Um, most churches already do that of their own free will, and tend to be a LOT better at it (In terms of people helped, money and other resources used effectively, etc.) than incompetent government agencies are.

"These irresponsible, hate driven fundies are ruining things for the responsible churches, just like they are ruining impressionable minds, and our country"
Yet if this Christophobic bigot had his way, the "Responsible" churches (By which I'd imagine he means ultra- liberal churches that barely even mention the Bible, portray Jesus as just a good teacher/ good man, and are more interested in "Social justice" than personal holiness) would also lose their tax- exempt status.
The only time I know of that my church openly espoused any political issues was once a few years ago when the church bulletin included a mini- flyer encouraging the congregation to vote against a proposal in an upcoming election which, if passed, would allow a local greyhound track to install some slot machines in it (Opposed on the grounds of the church's opposition to gambling).