Posted on 07/22/2014 2:07:59 PM PDT by Faith Presses On
WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has reached a settlement with a prominent atheist organization, agreeing to crack down churches and religious groups for infringements of its prohibition against ‘electioneering.’
As previously reported, the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF), headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, sued the IRS in 2012, asserting that many non-profit religious organizations have been “blatantly and deliberately flaunting … electioneering restrictions,” but the government has not enforced its rules pertaining to the matter.
According to the IRS website, “Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. The prohibition applies to all campaigns including campaigns at the federal, state and local level. Violation of this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.”
However, while candidates may not be promoted or opposed, churches and ministries that obtain 501 (c)(3) status may speak out on political and moral issues and/or generally encourage others to vote.
(Excerpt) Read more at christiannews.net ...
That was my thought, too.
This will either result in a court ruling that the IRS has no jurisdiction over what Church’s preach, or it will be one more step toward civil war.
Brought to you by LBJ’s War On GOD.
With the politicalization of everything in the Ten Commandments, and everything about morality in the Bible, what can be preached about in Church? Bingo? Oops. Taxable. Rummage sales. Taxable.
Shall we start employing IRS Sunday (and Saturday, for 7th Day Adventists and Jews) political officers, ala the USSR, to assure nothing wrong is said? Shall our pastors and rabbis be required to submit sermons to the IRS for pre-vetting before a word is uttered? Will the IRS issue regulation approved prayer books for all occasions to assure compliance? Will preachers have to get a Certified Public Advocacy license from the IRS before they can be allowed to speak from a pulpit?
This agreement is Anathema to our Republic. . . and any judge who signs off on it should be impeached.
A real church of G_D should turn in there 501(c) paper work and follow G_D not man. But we could not have big fancy church buildings and big pay rolls than. I understand the 30 pieces of silver and the part about depart from me as I never knew you.
I think there is something in the First Amendment about freedom of religion and a blurb about free speech. But they can not be used together?
I hope they do bring a lawsuit, they will lose for sure.
I think they would be much better off doing so as well. That said I don't believe the founders would have tolerated this over reach by the feral gooburmunt using NPO status for tool of tyrants trying to silence the churches.
Only when a pastor endorse an individual candidate will the IRS take action.
Churches can always speak to issues like abortion and for a man and a woman forming a marriage, but they cannot endorse individuals or parties.
Why not? Churches have every right to say anything they like.
The IRS should begin with the Fountain Street ‘church’ here in Grand Rapids — the ACLU hq is right inside that abomination.
Oh that is just crying out for a scenario script. . .
Fade into a conference room with several women and metrosexual, wimpy men around a generic, government issue conference table. The people are seated in straight backed metal chairs. The windows are covered in Venetian blinds. Aluminum concentric circular fluorescent fixtures from the 1950s hang over the table.
Off stage voice: "CUT! No! No! That's not realistic any more! Nobody will believe that! That's not Washington. . . that office exists only outside the beltway! Here's what we nee. . ."
Second voice, female "All right people, it's not working. Same time call for tomorrow. Strike the set!"
Fade Out.
Fade into a modern elegantly opulent walnut paneled conference room with the same people. The table is a single slab of ebony, and the people are seated in leather executive chairs. Tasteful window treatment consists of gorgeous drapes. Out the window is the White House. The IRS seal is centered on a tastefully lighted area on the wall behind the largest chair at the head of the table flanked by US Admiralty Flag and an IRS Flag. Lighting is provided at each chair by obviously expensive Tiffany executive desk lamps.
The scene opens as a harsh faced woman stands, paces, and speaks.
Justice Department and IRS attorney: "What would it take to make you guys drop your lawsuit so we can keep this below the tea-bagger radar?"
Atheists' attorney: "Here's a list of our unconstitutional blue sky demands."
Woman takes list and hands it to wimpy, metrosexual men and women on her side of the table.
Justice Department and IRS spokesperson: "Hey! This looks good! That was going to be our initial offer! Are you sure you don't want some walking around money for the next election? We were thinking something in the range of 100 to 200."
Atheist one "WOW! Everything?"
Atheist two "Uh, 100 to 200? What? Dollars?"
Justice Department and IRS spokesperson: "Millions."
Atheists all fall off of chairs.
Atheist two "Oh my God! $200 million!"
Atheist one "Sweet Jesus!"
Justice Department and IRS attorney: "Plus we'll toss in around $50 millions for your attorney's fees and court costs!"
Atheists' Attorney jumps out of his chair, onto the table, strikes TV preacher pose, hand in air.
Atheists' Attorney: "Praise the Lord and pass me the money! We'll take it!"
Fade to black as the IRS, DOJ, Atheists, and all attorneys link arms and skip off singing "We Shall Over Come" which segues into a haunting sound fading in from the Right of "Prase The Lord and Pass the Ammunition" growing louder and louder.
The End
Great!Very well written. New Obama scam . Encourage your friends to sue the government and quickly settle with a 10-15% kickback
They already do spy on churches, even attending services and recording what is said.
All they need to do is go into any black church in Memphis during election season, and every one running for dog catcher to Governor will be there. Not all black either because just being a D is going to get you that spot on the podium.
All illegal of course, but nothing is every done.
Let a R do it and all H breaks loose in the media, which is silent when the D’s do it.
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