IRS probes politics at church

Miami Herald ^ | ANDREA ROBINSON

[Brian Mosely]

The IRS has notified a Liberty City church that it is under investigation for possibly engaging in political activity -- putting its tax-exempt status into question.

The probe is related to an appearance last October by Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry and several black leaders, including U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami, the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

The reason for the investigation, an IRS official wrote in a 10-page letter obtained by The Herald, is that ``a reasonable belief exists that Friendship Missionary Baptist Church has engaged in political activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status as a church.''

[TommyDale]

http://www.proliberty.com/observer/20040518.htm

[DennisR]

The IRS should investigate any church breaking the law. The ideal thing would be for absolutely no legal benefits (tax breaks, etc.) for any nonprofit, including churches. That way, the government has no inherent interest in what they do.

[TommyDale]

"The ideal thing would be for absolutely no legal benefits (tax breaks, etc.) for any nonprofit, including churches."

By being non-profit, why would they need to pay taxes? The only thing that means is that they don't have to file. They do get a break from local government on property taxes, which probably should be taxed based on the actual value.

[DennisR]

I believe nonprofits do have to file. At least if their income is over $25,000 during their fiscal year.

[TommyDale]

Maybe non-profits, but not "Non-Profit Religious Organizations" known as churches. Churches are given great leeway by the IRS, but they are misled about the 501(c)(3) requirements, which are not there.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[Badray]

Well, I do. But this law banning churches from politics violates the basic freedom of speech. Every institution is political.

Well, you've heard from all of the legalistic minds here on FR. "The law is the law," they say.

I say BS.

HB25 / S25, The FairTax,(fairtax.org) solves this problem by eliminating taxation on income. There should be no rules, no laws, no hoops to speak your mind in America regardless of what your opinion is. 'Free speech' as intended by the Founders, was POLITICAL SPEECH, not nude dancing or product advertising.

That freedom was diminished by the tax code first, and then stomped on again by Campaign Finance Reform. The churches (as well as the pubs and taverns) in the colonies were important meeting places for those fighting the crown.

Hmmmm Maybe that's why the government wants these restrictions.

[Badray]

Brilliant observation.

Sounds like the churches should registers as 527s, huh?

Just another reason that the IRS and the tax code must go.

Support the FairTax (fairtax.org) HR25 / S25.

[lonestar]

They don't pay property taxes.

[lonestar]

No, not paying property taxes is special treatment. The churches are aware they're not to get involved in politics. But worse, they only offer their pulpits to tell one side.

The 2nd Baptist Church in Houston, a very large church, was investigated several years ago because somebody put some voter guides in their family center. They didn't invite a politician to "preach."

The Black Churches get away with this every election and you both know it.

[polymuser]

The churches (as well as the pubs and taverns) in the colonies were important meeting places for those fighting the crown.

Bingo.

[Patton@Bastogne]

.


Always Right


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




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[Always Right]

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.

First off, tax-exemptions are not 'paid from the US Government coffers', unless you believe it was the governments money to begin with. Second, I am not sure about your history. Churches have always operated as tax-free organizations, even before any artificial status was created. It's only through these created tax-free statuses that the government is able to regulate Churches. Churches are tax-free by the First Amendment and don't need any special 501(c)(3) status. The problem is, they think they do. Where non-501(c)(3) churches have gotten into trouble is social security withholdings. Churches still have to follow the fuzzy rules of employees vs. subcontractors, and withhold payroll taxes if they are deemed employees.

[justshutupandtakeit]

True but that is state determined.

[Seadog Bytes]

RE: "Free speech is not the question here - tax exempt status is. Churches are as free to engage in politics as they want to be - but not at my expense." (Emphasis added.)

...DEAD ON!   ...THANK YOU!!!