Posted on 10/01/2012 1:06:43 PM PDT by marshmallow
Americans United for Separation of Church and State evidently sent copies of this letter to 60,000 pastors recently. It’s important to remember that Americans United is not an official agency of any governmental entity. This letter has no force of law and is just their opinion. Our local AU affiliate here in Oklahoma has sent similar letters to pastors in my House district in the past. The pastors I talked to about it tell me they threw it in the trash.
Morons don’t know the difference between the Constitution and an 1813 letter discussing separation between church and state.
In other words, they will sue churches that praise a Republican, and pay no attention to the thousands of urban churches that actively promote barack obama.
That might even get some of the cafeteria Catholics a wake up call.
You know what’s also a 501(c)3?
Mother Jones and a host of other liberal sites and publications.
Any church that takes sides on a candidate or issue should be stripped of their tax exempt status!
Without 501(c)(3) status, what taxes, to your knowledge, would churches have to pay ?
I don't think churches have to pay any taxes at all, to the IRS, even without the 501(c)(3) contract.
There is now a very large movement of "unregistered" (meaning, un-incorporated ; non-501(c)(3) churches. They pay no taxes.
Have 501(c)(3) contract with the IRS ? The church is "tax-exempt." Never had such a contract with the IRS ? The church is NON-TAXABLE as per the First Amendment.
I’m sure Barry Lynn will get “right on” getting after those black churches. I bet you’ll be hearing bout those “suits” anytime now. lol
Don't have 501(c)(3) status, then all the IRS agents in the country could attend the church meetings, listen to the preaching . . . the preacher can say anything he wants, and the IRS agents can say and do absolutely NOTHING.
No, churches shouldn’t pay taxes and this is exactly why! The first amendment alone is enough to fight it in court. What the government taxes, they can control. Period. So”paying off”some churches for preaching what the government deems necessary by giving them tax exempt status is favoring one religion over another.
Simply put, Barry W. Lynn is scum!!!
Black churches included? They all preach “Vote Straight Democrat” arounf here!
“How is that a black church can host a democratic candidate and that’s considered ok?! But conservatives cannot.”
I’m sure a conservative church would be allowed to host a democrat candidate.
:-P
The threat of taxes for speaking out on political issues is already controlling their speech.
That was exactly my first thought!
Americans United For Separation of Church and State
Election Season 2012
Dear Religious Leader,
As Election Day draws near, candidates and their supporters may seek help or endorsements from your house of worship. Thus, this is a good time to familiarize yourself with the law governing electioneering by nonprofit organizations.
The First Amendment protects the right of all Americans, religious leaders included, to speakout on religious, moral and political issues. However, houses of worship and other nonprofit entities classified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Tax Code are barred from endorsing or opposing candidates for public office and may not intervene directly or indirectly in partisan campaigns.
Any activity designed to influence the outcome of a partisan election can be construed as intervention. If the IRS determines that your house of worship has engaged in unlawful intervention, it can revoke the institution’s tax-exempt status or levy significant fines on the house of worship or its leaders.
Contrary to what some may believe, the IRS does enforce the “no politicking” rule.
In 1995,the IRS revoked the tax-exempt status of a Binghamton, N.Y., church for buying a full-page ad in USA Today opposing a 1992 presidential candidate. (The federal courts upheld the revocation.) Other churches and religious ministries, including Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network and Jerry Falwell’s Old Time Gospel Hour, have been subject to auditsand retroactive tax payments for violating the “no electioneering” rule.
In addition, a special “Political Activity Compliance Initiative” has been created to educate houses of worship about the law and deal with reports of violations. (For more information on pulpit politicking, see the IRS Web site at: http://www.irs.gov/charities/churches/index.html and click on "The Restriction of Campaign Political Intervention by Section 501 (c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations.")
Houses of worship and other nonprofit groups may sponsor voter registration drives andcandidate forums if they are truly nonpartisan, and issue advocacy is broadly protected. But remember, tax law prohibits 501(c)(3) groups from supporting or opposing candidates.
I urge you to be especially wary of so-called “voter guides.” Such guides are often thinly veiled partisan materials. If the IRS finds that a violation has occurred, it may be the house of worship, not the organization that produced the guide, that is penalized.
This letter is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice, and I urge you to consult with your legal advisor on specific questions. To learn more about issues surrounding religion and politics, visit our Web site: http://ProjectFairPlay.org.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
Sincerely,
The Rev. Barry W. Lynn Executive Director 1301 K Street, N.W. Suite 850 East Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 466-3234 (202) 466-2587 fax
americansunited@au.org www.au.org
I have written ole Barry and told him he comes to my church other than to worship, I will personally escort him to the door and kick his butt out of the worship in view of everyone there. I received a response from one of his little girl talking about my threat. I wrote her back telling that same offer held for her if she shows up in other than an acceptable manner. I haven’t heard back from either of them.
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