I was listening to a report yesterday (that I haven't found a link to a news story out here yet), describing how the IRS may be going after certain churches to snatch their tax exempt status from them. The reasons why are what made me shake.
The investigations were stemming from the the church's political involvement. One church they spoke of said that they have had the same Republican speaker who will be running for governor numerous times therefore they are suppposedly guilty of persuading the congregation to vote for this candidate.
Other reports against churches claimed much of the same types of politcal gain stories, which will lead to the IRS revoking their tax exempt status.
Ok, first thing I'm thinking is politicians are in bed with business owners and influential powerful people everyday in order to gain some political agenda - that after all is politics. I think someone from the IRS was sitting around one day realizing how much money could be made off churches and a light bulb went on.
Funny but pathetic.
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We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a civilization, it expects what never was and what never will be.
It is a pretty clear issue. If churches are going to get directly involved in politics, they are going to risk their tax exempt status. Those churches that don't get directly involved in politics, they don't have to worry about their tax exempt status. I've got no heartburn with this.
The rules for tax exempt status are very clear , so are the penalties .
Since modern churches are run as businesses I see no reason for them not to be taxed like businesses .
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Kevin Haendiges
NAHC Life Member
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http://hunting-indiana.com
once again, i am forced to agree with my respected hoosier colleague. if you run your congregation like a business, and you cross the line to engage in political activity, you should be taxed like everyone else.
Many churches are politically active--that's for sure. Here in WV, churches helped ramrod county bycounty referendums to prohibit hunting on Sundays and basically reinstated an old blue law which had been only recently rescinded (and Sunday hunting subsequently allowed for a very short time) on the state levelby a former governor. I know that many hunters resented the fact that churches got involved at that level even though most of those hunters are from a rural, morally conservative, church-going background.
I say that taxing churches is a good idea. Most of them hoard money when they should be putting it all to use anyway. so let them help with the tax burden.
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Looney tunes deductive reasoning:
--Me smell Mohican burning
--Me last Mohican
--Must be me!!!
--EEEOOOWWW!!!!!
Many churches are politically active--that's for sure. Here in WV, churches helped ramrod county bycounty referendums to prohibit hunting on Sundays and basically reinstated an old blue law which had been only recently rescinded (and Sunday hunting subsequently allowed for a very short time) on the state levelby a former governor. I know that many hunters resented the fact that churches got involved at that level even though most of those hunters are from a rural, morally conservative, church-going background.
I say that taxing churches is a good idea. Most of them hoard money when they should be putting it all to use anyway. so let them help with the tax burden.
Why shouldn't churches be politically active? I .. Why shouldn't Christians view be upheld by those going to Church to protect their values they hold. If the Christians aren't going to stand up for their rights, certainly a liberal government will not.
As far a hording money is that what you've heard, or something you've seen? The problem with that statement, is your listening to those that are not involved in Church ( sounds like the blind leading the blind)... I've been in the ministry over 25 years and have never taken one dime... But I've raise a lot of money to help those in need. And finally Churches should not be taxed.
Why shouldn't churches be politically active? I .. Why shouldn't Christians view be upheld by those going to Church to protect their values they hold. If the Christians aren't going to stand up for their rights, certainly a liberal government will not.
I thought the reason for churches existingwere for worship and for helping those in need, not to try to get Bush or Hillary elected to office.
IMHO, you should be in the business of saving souls, not alienating a good portion of them. You can't force people to do the right thing or live a moral life, they have to come to it on their own. God gave us free will to make those choices for ourselves. I have no problem with individuals protesting against abortion or gay marriage, it just makes me sad when a Church does it as a function. The young woman who is faced withprotestors that carry a banner for Joe's Christian Church is going to be turned off by Christianity forever and are going to be lost souls. Even worse are the flim flam religeous leaders like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, I cringe every time these guys open ther mouths, even worse are the Jesse Jacksons and Al Sharptons who have about the level of credibility as a lowest tier used car salesman or for that matter a politician.
Like others have said, there is a well defined line for tax exemption. I think its fine that churches are tax exempt up until the point where they cross that line.
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Obamanfreude - 1. taking pleasure from the misfortunes of an Obama supporter as he or she is adversely affected by the policies of their Dear Leader.
No disrespect to you Rev,
But I'm sure you may not be as objective about this as many. As far as knowing about Church, Yeah. I know lots. My mother has been a born again holy roller since I was a child and as you may know, life in small town, rural america, lots of times centers around church activities.
I did not mean to insinuate that there was malfeasence(sp) abounding. I know nothing whether it exists or not and I know many churches, especially those that are small onesor non-denominational, may give everything they have back to the community in great ways.
However,I KNOW that many of the mainline churches have piles of money sitting in their coffers that they spend with only the carefullest consideration thru quasi-bureaucratic mechanisms
Quote:
Why shouldn't churches be politically active?
I didn't say they shouldn't
Just said they should be taxed.And some should.
Blessings to you
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Looney tunes deductive reasoning:
--Me smell Mohican burning
--Me last Mohican
--Must be me!!!
--EEEOOOWWW!!!!!
So your saying the ACLU and Unions and other liberal organizations can gang up on the Christians and we should let them dictate their morals on society???? Wong!!! Right Churches are about saving souls, but also their job is to insure we don't experience the moral decay we are experiencing now. such as abortion, gay marriages, porn on demand on ever corner, and on and on. When churches stop speaking out, the views of this liberal society will certainly take over.
This will just be a start for what is to become of the churches.They all start getting taxed and the small churches will have to be shut down and this will lead to one religion and one church under one government.It is all starting to come together now.God is now being taxed and I don't think he's goanna like this to much.I bet you will have to go to a specific bible college to get a diploma on preaching of God and how to do it correctly by their standards before anyone can even start opening a church to preach.I also believe churches should not be taxed.We know now what direction this country and world is heading in.
Should churches be tax exempt?
