IRS: Churches can't pray for Bush victory

Wrld Net Daily ^ | 10-28-04 | Ron Strom

[Conservative4Ever]

Another example of the double standard the dems have held over the Repubs for years. This should be no big surprise. What it will take to correct this..I have my own suspicions..but in the meantime if conservatives don't make a fuss..nobody will.

Red

[Coleus]

Definitely time to get rid of the IRS! >>

The time is now, if Teresa can pay a tax of 12%, so can we. A flat tax of 12% with a nominal national sales tax on items worth more than 1,000.00, that should cover all bases and abolish the IRS

[Robert Drobot]

On 1 July 1937 Martin Niemoller, Confessional leader, was arrested and put in prison. On 7 February 1938 he was tried before a Special Court in Berlin. On 2 March he was sentenced to seven months imprisonment in a fortress (i.e., honorable imprisonment) for violation of the Pulpit Law. He was also fined 500 Marks for a violation of the rules of the Emergency Decree of 28 February 1933 (originally directed against the Communists) and 1500 Marks for another violation of both laws. He was acquitted of the charge of "underhand attacks on State and Party". As he had been eight months in prison he was allowed to go free. On leaving the court he was arrested by the Gestapo and sent to a concentration camp where he remained until the end of the war.

Any priest was free to defy the Pulpit Law and speak out against the racism and paganism of the Third Reich, but except for the redoubtable Bishop Von Galen of Muenster it would be his final public word. German priests and pastors were exiled to Dachau for preaching love of neighbor, for insisting that Jesus was a Jew, for warning S.S. men that they could not abjure their faith to achieve promotion, for offering requiem Masses even for relatives of Communists. -- The Priests of Dachau

As far back as the Revolutionary War, America's religious leaders have taken to their pulpits to galvanize their followers on the political issues of the day, from taxation to slavery to abortion. But since 1954, when Senator Lyndon B. Johnson pushed a little-noticed law through Congress, ministers have been barred from preaching about political candidates. Under the law, churches are prohibited from endorsing or opposing candidates or risk being stripped of their tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. Nevertheless, the law is frequently flouted, and the I.R.S. rarely intervenes.

"Houses of Worship Political Speech Protection Act," H.R. 2357 sponsored by Congressman Walter Jones, R-NC Christian Coalition of America lobbyists have been helping Congressman Walter Jones get a vote on the House floor for his "Houses of Worship Political Speech Protection Act." It was voted on in early October with 178 Members of the House voting for it. -- Christian Coalition of America

(AgapePress) - An official with the American Family Association says he is surprised and disappointed with the defeat in the House of Representatives of a bill that would have allowed churches and other religious organizations to address political issues and endorse candidates from the pulpit.

Yesterday on Capitol Hill, the Houses of Worship Political Speech Protection Act (H.R. 2357) was rejected on a 239-178 vote. Forty-five Republicans joined forces with more than 190 Democrats to defeat the effort that would have lifted the Internal Revenue Service's effective ban on political activity at churches, synagogues, and mosques across the country. Under the bill, the tax-exempt status of those groups would have been protected if a clergy member expressed his or her political preference from the pulpit. -- American Family Association

“There should be no government censorship of religious freedom,” said Larry Cirignano, Catholic Citizenship Executive Director. “IRS bureaucrats can arbitrarily decide to censor religious speech and that runs contrary to the First Amendment.” -- Catholic Citizenship

Because he wanted to minimize opposition to his running for the US Senate, Lyndon Johnson, aided by a morally corrupt Congress ( to this day), placed these united States of America on the same level with:

Hitler's Germany,
Stalin's Soviet Union, and
China's present communist government.

In the land of the free and home of the brave, where citizen rights come not from government, but from God Almighty, the United States government dictates the content of homilies, in its censorship of what is, and what is not permissible.

Where's the United States Conference of Bishops when Roman Catholics and the religious of America need them??? What would Jesus say of them???

Our Lady of La Salette, pray for us.
Saint Pius X, pray for us.
Saint Padre Pio pray for us.

[Mr. Silverback]

Memo to the IRS: Read the freakin First Amendment.

[26lemoncharlie]

Our Lady of La Salette, who, on 19 September 1846, appeared, weeping, to two little children on the mountain of La Salette, in the French Alps. She told them "Rome will lose the Faith, and become the seat of the Antichrist...the Church will be eclipsed; the world will be in dismay."

[26lemoncharlie]

I'll pray any DAMN place I want to, when I want to and with WHOM I want to. This is a Republic and I am an American an no SOB Socialist A$$ like that BASt%*D looser Johnston or the IRS will stop me !!

#&%@(()!_ )(8&&@@ @++@(( F**&(-- You

Pray for/with me

[26lemoncharlie]

I'll pray any DAMN place I want to, when I want to and with WHOM I want to. This is a Republic and I am an American an no SOB Socialist A$$ like that BASt%*D looser Johnston or the IRS will stop me !!

#&%@(()!_ )(8&&@@ @++@(( F**&(-- You

Pray for/with me

[technochick99]

Do you go to church?

I'm actually a non-theist / agnostic, so the answer is no.

[broadsword]

Where's the United States Conference of Bishops when Roman Catholics and the religious of America need them? What would Jesus say of them?

"I do not know you."

[TommyDale]

Dear IRS:

Too late. I already prayed for Bush, in public, in church. What are you going to do about it?

[TommyDale]

However, it is widely acceptable practice for Satanists to pray for Kerry.

[TommyDale]

However, it is widely acceptable practice for Satanists to pray for Kerry.

[Happy2BMe]

John Kerry weaves in and out of 'churches' across the country, condemns and blames Bush for everything from your bad morning breath to your trash can stinking plus demoralizes our troops from the pulpit with his 'Wrong war, wrong time' agenda and the IRS, NAACP, ACLU, CAIR, ANSWR, People for the American Way, and all the 3-Letter national media are COMPLETELY MUTE - NOTTA - NUTTIN!

Now the IRS is threatening to pull the tax exempt status from any church in America for the pastor simply 'suggesting' that Christians be obedient to Scripture and 'pray for those in authority in government.'

WWIII might just not be fought in Iran after all - ping.

[Jeff Head]

This is a ludicrous statement by the IRS. Let them ever try and enforce it.

[TOUGH STOUGH]

We certainly do. And praying ofr a candidate is not having a candidate campaign in church.

Well, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Black churches who allow campaigning must be reported and we must demand their tax exemption be suspended (the charges of racism which shall surley follow be dammed).

[international american]

The IRS can bite my thingie!!

[Patton@Bastogne]

.


Mr. Silverback


This is such a pathetic situation.


IRS 501 c-3 is a Federal Contract (US Supreme Court decision) that "earns" Religious Corporations hundreds of millions annually, paid from the US Government coffers, as "political hush money" (a la Webster Hubble, Monica Lewinski, ad nausea). Religious Corporations agree to abstain from candidate endorsements & legislative lobbying.



REPLY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1 - Church Tax-Exempt Status : Why Created in 1934 ?

2 - Church Political Success : 1919 versus 1998 (General Patton vis-à-vis Richard Simmons).

3 - Christians' "Right-to-Know" : Primary Goal of Federal Lawsuit against Dobson, Falwell and Robertson.

4 - Biblical Commands AGAINST Church Tax-Exempt Status.

5 - US Churches : Frankenstein of Religious & Secular Entities



ISSUE-1 : Birth of Church Tax-Exempt Status - As Political Hush Money

Adopted by US Congress in 1934, immediately after Prohibition Repealed. WHY ?

Liberals FEARED the Awesome Political Power of Christian churches, especially after their successful Constitutional Amendment for Prohibition in 1919. Liberals wanted to "politically castrate" the Churches, and keep them "Out of the Game" forever. IRS 501 c-3 did just that.

Church Building Programs & Sunday TV-Broadcasts get BIG BUCKS (courtesy of tax-exempt donations). Meanwhile, Prayer is removed from Public Schools, Ten-Million Babies are butchered like Dogs, and the Nation descends in an abyss of moral degeneracy.



ISSUE-2 : Who had/has more political power ?

Option-1: US Churches in 1919 (14 years BEFORE tax-exempt status) in their Campaign for Prohibition, without the benefit of CBN's satellite TV network.

Option-2: US Churches in 1998 (64 years AFTER tax-exempt status), with pathetic defeats on the Abortion Holocaust, TV Pornography, Prayer removed from Public Schools, Prayer removed from University Graduation ceremonies, an Educational Disaster, and the culmination of all abominations, President William Jefferson Clinton (with all his decayed baggage of murder, sex scandals, and unparalleled corruption).



ISSUE-3 : Why did I launch a Federal Lawsuit against Icons of the Christian Religious Right, especially since I endorse 99-percent of the Christian Socio/Political Agenda ?

To expose the leadership's "dirty little secret" about IRS 501 c-3 (et al). Lawsuit demanded that ALL church members receive an explanation of the "voluntary" political activity restrictions of Dobson, Robertson, Falwell, et al.

IRS 501 c-3 is a Federal Contract (US Supreme Court decision) that "earns" Religious Corporations hundreds of millions annually, paid from the US Government coffers, as "political hush money" (a la Webster Hubble, Monica Lewinski, ad nausea). Religious Corporations agree to abstain from candidate endorsements & legislative lobbying.



ISSUE-4 : Why is "Political Tax-Exempt Status" such a Spiritual Abomination, with Churches having a "sweetheart Deal" to not pay Federal Taxes ?

There's NO FREE LUNCH (especially from Governments), as clearly taught by Jesus Christ. His "Render Unto Caesar" acknowledged that Rome would demand a Quid Pro Quo (something in return) IF they let Him get away with not paying taxes.

(Exodus 23:8) "You shall not accept a bribe, for bribery makes the discerning man blind and the just man give a crooked answer" (NEB).

(Deuteronomy 16:19) "You shall not pervert the course of justice or show favor, nor shall you accept a bribe; for bribery makes the wise man blind and the just man give a crooked answer." (NEB)

(Matthew 6:24) "No servant can be the slave of two masters ... You cannot serve God and Money". (NEB)

Therefore, GENUINE (I surrender all) Christians are clearly forbidden to accept money or gifts for Silence on Any Issue, albeit spiritual or moral. Church tax-exempt status absolute violates God's clear requirement that Christians say whatever needs to be said, regardless of the consequences or retribution.



ISSUE-5 : US Churches : Frankenstein of Religious & Secular Entities

I’m NOT a lawyer, just an Engineer, so my knowledge of Religious Corporations was acquired slowly after many hours in the Tulane University Law Library (New Orleans).

The US Supreme Court recognizes that US churches are comprised of TWO "Separate But Equal Entities".

Just like US segregation laws before Civil Rights …

Entity A : Religious Piece / Independent of US Government Control

Legal Jurisdiction over Theology, Prayers, Hymns and other Spiritual Stuff, etc.

Entity B : Secular Piece / Potential Slaves to Federal Tax-Exempt Law

Legal Jurisdiction over Money, Property, Purchase Orders for Hymn Books, Insurance Contracts, Payroll, Corporate Officers & Boards of Directors, Zoning Permits, Water & Electric Utility Bills, Salaries, Bonuses, Air Conditioned Dog Houses, Legal Fees, TV and Radio Broadcasts.

IF --- a Religious Corporation is under IRS 501 c-3, then ALL of the Secular Stuff is UNDER FEDERAL CONTROL.



LEGAL CASE STUDY : Bob Jones University vs. United States (1973)

Bob Jones University (BJU) prohibited inter-racial dating and marriage between it’s Staff and Students. The US Justice department said this violated the "pre-eminent" policy of US Racial Integration Policies.

BJU replied that their prohibition against inter-racial dating and marriage rested EXCLUSIVELY on their Theology and Biblical Interpretation. US said that their Federal Integration Policy was more important than BJU’s theology, especially since BJU was a Federal Contractor vis-à-vis IRS 501 C-3.

US Supreme Court ruled against BJU in 1973.

BJU’s Response : Jettisoned their Tax-Exempt Status, so that they could faithfully follow their Biblical Beliefs and Convictions. Moreover, BJU was NOW free to engage in Political Activity to their heart’s content, NO LONGER SPIRITUAL SLAVES to their Federal Tax-Exempt Masters.

Copy of Federal Lawsuit available upon request.





Patton@Bastogne
Free Republic Member since 1998.



General George S. Patton Jr. Website




.

[Patton@Bastogne]

.


Jeff Head


This is such a pathetic situation.


IRS 501 c-3 is a Federal Contract (US Supreme Court decision) that "earns" Religious Corporations hundreds of millions annually, paid from the US Government coffers, as "political hush money" (a la Webster Hubble, Monica Lewinski, ad nausea). Religious Corporations agree to abstain from candidate endorsements & legislative lobbying.



REPLY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1 - Church Tax-Exempt Status : Why Created in 1934 ?

2 - Church Political Success : 1919 versus 1998 (General Patton vis-à-vis Richard Simmons).

3 - Christians' "Right-to-Know" : Primary Goal of Federal Lawsuit against Dobson, Falwell and Robertson.

4 - Biblical Commands AGAINST Church Tax-Exempt Status.

5 - US Churches : Frankenstein of Religious & Secular Entities



ISSUE-1 : Birth of Church Tax-Exempt Status - As Political Hush Money

Adopted by US Congress in 1934, immediately after Prohibition Repealed. WHY ?

Liberals FEARED the Awesome Political Power of Christian churches, especially after their successful Constitutional Amendment for Prohibition in 1919. Liberals wanted to "politically castrate" the Churches, and keep them "Out of the Game" forever. IRS 501 c-3 did just that.

Church Building Programs & Sunday TV-Broadcasts get BIG BUCKS (courtesy of tax-exempt donations). Meanwhile, Prayer is removed from Public Schools, Ten-Million Babies are butchered like Dogs, and the Nation descends in an abyss of moral degeneracy.



ISSUE-2 : Who had/has more political power ?

Option-1: US Churches in 1919 (14 years BEFORE tax-exempt status) in their Campaign for Prohibition, without the benefit of CBN's satellite TV network.

Option-2: US Churches in 1998 (64 years AFTER tax-exempt status), with pathetic defeats on the Abortion Holocaust, TV Pornography, Prayer removed from Public Schools, Prayer removed from University Graduation ceremonies, an Educational Disaster, and the culmination of all abominations, President William Jefferson Clinton (with all his decayed baggage of murder, sex scandals, and unparalleled corruption).



ISSUE-3 : Why did I launch a Federal Lawsuit against Icons of the Christian Religious Right, especially since I endorse 99-percent of the Christian Socio/Political Agenda ?

To expose the leadership's "dirty little secret" about IRS 501 c-3 (et al). Lawsuit demanded that ALL church members receive an explanation of the "voluntary" political activity restrictions of Dobson, Robertson, Falwell, et al.

IRS 501 c-3 is a Federal Contract (US Supreme Court decision) that "earns" Religious Corporations hundreds of millions annually, paid from the US Government coffers, as "political hush money" (a la Webster Hubble, Monica Lewinski, ad nausea). Religious Corporations agree to abstain from candidate endorsements & legislative lobbying.



ISSUE-4 : Why is "Political Tax-Exempt Status" such a Spiritual Abomination, with Churches having a "sweetheart Deal" to not pay Federal Taxes ?

There's NO FREE LUNCH (especially from Governments), as clearly taught by Jesus Christ. His "Render Unto Caesar" acknowledged that Rome would demand a Quid Pro Quo (something in return) IF they let Him get away with not paying taxes.

(Exodus 23:8) "You shall not accept a bribe, for bribery makes the discerning man blind and the just man give a crooked answer" (NEB).

(Deuteronomy 16:19) "You shall not pervert the course of justice or show favor, nor shall you accept a bribe; for bribery makes the wise man blind and the just man give a crooked answer." (NEB)

(Matthew 6:24) "No servant can be the slave of two masters ... You cannot serve God and Money". (NEB)

Therefore, GENUINE (I surrender all) Christians are clearly forbidden to accept money or gifts for Silence on Any Issue, albeit spiritual or moral. Church tax-exempt status absolute violates God's clear requirement that Christians say whatever needs to be said, regardless of the consequences or retribution.



ISSUE-5 : US Churches : Frankenstein of Religious & Secular Entities

I’m NOT a lawyer, just an Engineer, so my knowledge of Religious Corporations was acquired slowly after many hours in the Tulane University Law Library (New Orleans).

The US Supreme Court recognizes that US churches are comprised of TWO "Separate But Equal Entities".

Just like US segregation laws before Civil Rights …

Entity A : Religious Piece / Independent of US Government Control

Legal Jurisdiction over Theology, Prayers, Hymns and other Spiritual Stuff, etc.

Entity B : Secular Piece / Potential Slaves to Federal Tax-Exempt Law

Legal Jurisdiction over Money, Property, Purchase Orders for Hymn Books, Insurance Contracts, Payroll, Corporate Officers & Boards of Directors, Zoning Permits, Water & Electric Utility Bills, Salaries, Bonuses, Air Conditioned Dog Houses, Legal Fees, TV and Radio Broadcasts.

IF --- a Religious Corporation is under IRS 501 c-3, then ALL of the Secular Stuff is UNDER FEDERAL CONTROL.



LEGAL CASE STUDY : Bob Jones University vs. United States (1973)

Bob Jones University (BJU) prohibited inter-racial dating and marriage between it’s Staff and Students. The US Justice department said this violated the "pre-eminent" policy of US Racial Integration Policies.

BJU replied that their prohibition against inter-racial dating and marriage rested EXCLUSIVELY on their Theology and Biblical Interpretation. US said that their Federal Integration Policy was more important than BJU’s theology, especially since BJU was a Federal Contractor vis-à-vis IRS 501 C-3.

US Supreme Court ruled against BJU in 1973.

BJU’s Response : Jettisoned their Tax-Exempt Status, so that they could faithfully follow their Biblical Beliefs and Convictions. Moreover, BJU was NOW free to engage in Political Activity to their heart’s content, NO LONGER SPIRITUAL SLAVES to their Federal Tax-Exempt Masters.

Copy of Federal Lawsuit available upon request.





Patton@Bastogne
Free Republic Member since 1998.



General George S. Patton Jr. Website




.

[Fraulein]

no one says a word when Democrats openly campaign in black churches

I saw on the news tonight that one local black church had registered over 8,000 people to vote and that the church was transporting people to early voting in church vans.

[M Kehoe]

OK, I gotta do it...

Note to the IRS:

Is a thread a church? Is FR a church. Is a huge gathering of electrons a church? I guess it could be. If a huge gathering of soil called 'earth' can be worshiped, then a huge gathering of electrons can be worshiped. So here goes...

I ask the Lord Jesus to bless George W. Bush wisdom to organize a winning campaign, and grace to keep him safe from harm. Amen.

I hope I just pi$$ed off the IRS and some liberal/socialist/democRAT atheists.

5.56mm