IRS Threatens Political Speech

US House ^ | 24 Jul | Congressman Ron Paul

[Badray]

BTTT

[ZULU]

If you are an organization, and you use your funds to promote political activities, you are taxable under Federal Law. That is why the NRA has set up an independent Insitute for Legal Action. The Insitute for Legal Action is taxable as supports a political agenda.

If a church supports a political agenda it should forfeit its tax free status.

Such an action would hurt liberal churches far more than conservative ones and would treat them the same way any other organization is treated under law.

[Badray]

Bump and ping

[xzins]

My money given in church is always an act of worship of God. It is part of the basic understanding of the faith that we worship God is certain ways, one of which is with our giving.

It is also a fact of our faith that we honestly address all cultural issues. That would include politics.

Would I tell someone not to support Al Gore or John Kerry because the support abortion? You bet I would.

That's not politics, though. That speech is RELIGIOUS SPEECH.

[calex59]

If they selectively use it, then fine, take legal action against eh IRS. Other wise just take it on the chin because I think they should all be paying taxes anyway. Not only that, as I said they can't shut them up, only remove their tax exempt status. It depends on what is more important to them, political activism or not paying taxes.

[pigdog]

"... the issue here is about SINCE we HAVE a tax on political entities ..."

I don't agree. I think the REAL issue is WHY HAVE SUCH A TAX SYSTEM AT ALL WHEN IT IS NO LONGER NECESSARY.

The FairTax does a much better job all the way around, has current bills in both houses of congress with 56 sponsors/cosponsors in the House and is gaining grassroots strength all the time. There are presently over 700,000 members of Americans For Fair Taxation and some of those backing the bill (American Farm Bureau Federation) have well over 5 million members and the FairTax provisions are written into its tax position views point by point.

The income tax is a goner - as well it should be.

[PattonFan]

Speaking about the culture IS part of our religion, isn't it?

Thats how I see it. Christians need to be aware of how evil forces can "trick" them. The Church is the place to put it all in perspective.

[NonLinear]

The IRS can't take free speech from anyone. They can, however, take the tax exempt status from churches that engage in political speech and political messages. The whole tax exempt thing is based around that. If a church wants to discuss politics and have candidates campaign for office from the pulpit then they have to give up tax exempt status.

Seems resonable to me. Church wants its rights under the constitution, give up the right not to be taxed and they've got 'em!

Not true. Once churches lose their tax exempt status, then they are even more subject to control. When the gov't doesn't like what the churches are saying, they can simply tax them out of existence. That is the original reason churches were tax exempt to begin with.

[ancient_geezer]

The only orifice of theirs which could be restricted is their pockets - and this is not a sound producing orifice. They could fart [per Aristotle, it is ultimately the same as burp] as much as they want and are able to stand the smell of.

Since free exercise of religion has no restriction, nor does political speech in peaceful assembly you may not tax it.

Sorry to hear that you have a problem with your orfices, perhaps you should be seeking medical help.

[xzins]

:>)

You should copyright that one!

[xzins]

We are in 100% agreement!

[pigdog]

Then vote for the FairTax and all that nonsense goes away for good.

[gdani]

Congess, (i.e. the federal government) has no power in the area of speech and free exercise of religion under the 1st amendment that, in fact is clear, such powers being clearly reserved to the states or to the people of the states as an exercise of right

Well, except that Mormons, Rastafrians & American Indians have all lost the cases I referenced in the earlier post. Even after agruing to a federal court that such prohibitions infringe on their First Amendment rights.

No right is absolute, as far as the courts & US Supreme Court are concerned.

[PattonFan]

We are in 100% agreement!

All it takes is two or more! :)

[pigdog]

Attempting to control churches (or other valid charitable groups) via the income tax laws is both unnecessary AND stupid when we have readily available a set of tax law such as the FairTax.

[tumblindice]

Yer preachin' to the choir........ :^)

[ancient_geezer]

If the churches would render unto Caesar, they wouldn't have to worry about it.

Hmm, wasn't aware that the United States this was Rome under Roman law.

Last I looked this was the United States with a Constititions of strictly enumerated powers and limitations on national government, as well as a Bill of Rights expressly guaranteeing certain freedoms by prohibiting Congress from making law in specific areas regarding the exercise of those freedoms.

[tumblindice]

Then your church has nothing to worry about, unlike that African Methodist congregation that gave Clinton, Gore, Jackson, Sharpton and Co. a `bully pulpit'.
We're on the `same page', believe it or not.

[JamesP81]

Noncommercial and non-political. It's that simple.

You're starting to sound like a lib. Or a nanny-stater, at minimum.

[pigdog]

"Yer preachin' to the choir........ :^) "

True enough, I am to some ... but there's also a lot of non-singers out there and some who can't read a lick of music (or anything else).