Question News & Politics

Should religious groups that actively engage in politics be taxed?

KellyDew~YES WE CAN November 13, 2008 21:01:42

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  • +7 Peggy November 13, 2008 21:11:07
    Peggy

    Yes

    If it asks its members to donate to a certain political party, has fund raisers, tells members who to vote for, preashes against, vandlizes, or has hate groups then yes. Tax away.
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  • +3
    Lucy, B... KellyDe... November 15, 2008 00:22:46
    Lucy, Believes Right is Right, and Wrong is Wrong!
    Tell me about it, and I don't know about you, but I have only gone to Church where they ask you to tithe what you can and her Church has you fill out a 3 page indepth questionaire about your entire life (to see what areas the Church can help you heal in) and they want your income and a mandatory 10% minimum tithe to the Church to be a Member. I stay as far away from her Church as possible and have to unfortunately handle her with kid gloves sometimes because she has changed going there-it is her husband's Family Church. (they are all Republicans-and my Sister has been a lifelong Democrat-so now she votes according to the Church and Family wishes).

    My heart is broken because it has caused a wedge between us and she keeps distant from me now. Don't get me wrong, I do not speak ill of her Church, but according to them I am a non-believer? YES it sounds like a cult but they are a "Christian Reform Church".

    Hugs!
  • +3
    KellyDe... Lucy, B... November 15, 2008 00:36:51
    KellyDew~YES WE CAN
    Two things that can tear people apart are politics and religion.... we have a healthy dose of both going on right now. Hugs right back atcha!!!
  • +3
    girlnextdoor November 14, 2008 21:12:12
    girlnextdoor

    Yes

    Yes. Tax the hell out of Trinity Unity Church in Chicago!!

    tax trinity unity church chicago
  • +1
    KellyDe... girlnex... November 15, 2008 00:13:53
    KellyDew~YES WE CAN
    Just that one???
  • +1
    girlnex... KellyDe... November 15, 2008 00:58:21
    girlnextdoor
    No churches should endorse any candidate, neither endorse nor oppose any political party. If they choose to do so, they should have a little chat with the I.R.S.

    However, any church has the right to teach it's doctrine, interpret the Bible, and speak of societial issues that go against said church's belief's, such as abortion, violence, homosexuality, war, etc.

    Saying you are against abortion is not technically saying you are against all Democrats, as there are a few misguided "Republicans" that fall in to that group....
  • +1
    KellyDe... girlnex... November 15, 2008 01:27:40
    KellyDew~YES WE CAN
    I see what you are saying. I think the church instills a moral compass as well as values and then it is your duty to vote accordingly...

    I would love to be a fly on the wall if they did have to meet with the IRS.... :)
  • +2
    ubiquitous_tergiversation November 14, 2008 21:11:16
    ubiquitous_tergiversation

    Yes

    Yes a thousand times yes. Otherwise the government is financially supporting the church's political agenda.
  • +2
    patblue1947 November 14, 2008 21:01:24
    patblue1947

    Yes

    But then I believe they should all be taxed irregardless of how active politically they are. Let them justify their income and how it is spent. If a church used most of their money properly they won't pay any taxes anyway as most of their money will go to the poor just like Jesus meant when he advised a rich man to sell everything and give it to the poor.
  • +1
    Motherof5 November 14, 2008 20:57:05
    Motherof5

    Yes

    First and Foremost I am a Christian. But my church should not influence by political views. My individual beleifs do. Just because you are a Christian does not mean we all beleive alike as we surely don't. If I have a question, that I want counseling with my minister about, I think it is ok that I have the right to have a one on one talk with my minister but not as a organized religion that is not taxed. When they asked for tax-exemption the church knew the rules, Seperation of Church and State. When it comes to churches they are a non-profit orginzation and as such should follow the laws they agreed to.. As stated by others individuals can do as they want but not organizations.
  • +3
    SMOKEY November 14, 2008 20:40:29
    SMOKEY

    Yes

    oUR NATION HAS INTENTIONAL AND LEGAL SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE, THE GOLA OF WHICH IS TO PREVENT RELIGIOUS ZEALOTS FROM CONTROLING OUR NATION. SO YES IF THE GROUP ACTS AS A PAC, THEY SHOULD BE TAXED LIKE A FOR PROFIT ENTITY
  • +2
    focused November 14, 2008 20:22:12
    focused

    Yes

    Absolutely. If a religious group wants to cause changes in our laws, lifestyles and rights then they need to pay as we do to enforce their opinions.
    Church and State have no business being in bed together.
    They can be political in their own churches and not need any taxation. But if they speak outside of their churches, as an organization- tax them big time.
  • +1
    RN1 focused November 14, 2008 20:30:55 (edited)
    RN1
    Don't let Rev Wright and Farakahn hear you talking liking that...... oh I forgot ....they did and got a free pass....
  • +3
    SMOKEY RN1 November 14, 2008 20:47:06
    SMOKEY
    DON'T BE SO IGNORANT, SPEAKING/PREACHING ON SOCIAL ISSUES AND ACTIVELY CAMPAIGNING ARE DIFFERENT THINGS.
  • RN1 SMOKEY November 15, 2008 03:41:21
    RN1
    And where does the reference to Hillary fit in????....right....
  • dtpga November 14, 2008 20:19:57
    dtpga

    Yes

    It won't be politically correct though!... Try taxing Jeremiah Wrights church...yeah, right.
  • +2
    KellyDe... dtpga November 15, 2008 00:15:42
    KellyDew~YES WE CAN
    I dont know that he pushes politics on people. If you have a link showing that, I would like to see it.
  • +1
    dtpga KellyDe... November 15, 2008 00:24:24
    dtpga
    KD, you can go to their website and see that political ideas and organizing is part of their plan. Historically black churches are the political center for the black community. See Martin Luther King, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Louis Farrakhan. The white church may touch on political subjects from time to time but often the black pastors are political leaders and tell you which leaders to support. Not a comment on just Jeremiah Wright. I was just saying this happens all the time within the black church community and is rarely if ever challenged.
  • +1
    KellyDe... dtpga November 15, 2008 00:40:32
    KellyDew~YES WE CAN
    Im not saying you are wrong, I just have not seen it personally. Im not much of a church person myself...
  • +4
    Scoop November 14, 2008 20:18:38
    Scoop

    Undecided

    I don't think churches should be involved in the political process. I believe the church goers shuld be! The values and voice of the church can be heard loud and clear if it's members participate actively in the process. If the institution of a church wants to be involved, yes, they should be taxed, as any other institution is. clear members participate actively process institution church involved taxed institution
  • +3
    feretta November 14, 2008 20:16:51
    feretta

    Undecided

    Not sure about how this works and don't want to make an uninformed assertion.
  • +2
    Epistem... feretta November 14, 2008 20:44:19
    Epistemically Justified
    That is actually a very respectable stance to take.
  • +1
    feretta Epistem... December 16, 2008 22:49:38
    feretta
    thanks!
  • +3
    Motherof5 feretta November 14, 2008 21:03:52
    Motherof5
    I respect you for saying that you do not want to make a uninformed decision. that is what this is all about to inform each other of our opinions. In some cases as this there are laws that answer some of our questions, such as this one. The laws are covered by the Constitution under seperation of Church and State (being the government). If they want to be tax free(as churches can be under our laws) then they can not back support political parties. Not that they can not talk about Social Issues they can in no way support political parties. From donating money to allowing free space to hold meetings. The laws are very clear on this issue.
  • dtpga Motherof5 November 15, 2008 00:25:25
    dtpga
    Based on your description there are many churches that are breaking the law.
  • +1
    feretta Motherof5 December 16, 2008 22:52:14 (edited)
    feretta
    peronnally, i think i should be able to talk about whatever i want to at church.

    and if my church wants to help elect someone by raising awareness of issues, then they should be able to.

    having said that, i do not understand how the taxing works,so i cannot say with good judgement whether they should pay taxes for talking about social issues with the desire to make changes
  • +4
    . . . November 14, 2008 20:13:18 (edited)
    . . .

    Yes

    moderated...
  • +4
    let's vote already November 14, 2008 19:57:34
    let's vote already

    Yes

    Religious groups as well as other non profit organizations that lobby, protest or otherwise attempt to influence or change law in their interest should be taxed.
  • +1
    Scoop let's v... November 14, 2008 20:23:18
    Scoop
    No representation without taxation! representation taxation
  • +1
    hmjtrj-11/02/10 "JUDGEMENT ... November 14, 2008 19:51:42
    hmjtrj-11/02/10 "JUDGEMENT DAY"

    Yes

    YES
  • +2
    HM November 14, 2008 19:47:32
    HM

    Yes

    they know they are wrong
  • +4
    Steph November 14, 2008 19:38:29
    Steph

    Yes

    People in search of influencing any part of government should always be taxed. Especially religious groups who sometimes have their own narrow agendas.
  • +1
    socokid November 14, 2008 19:38:16
    socokid

    Yes

    Absolutely.
  • +4
    Petpeve November 14, 2008 19:34:33
    Petpeve

    Yes

    Absolutely... Isn't there supposed to be a seperation of church & state? When the become involved politically, they most certainly be taxed.
  • +2
    pocket squirrel November 14, 2008 19:21:27
    pocket squirrel

    Yes

    Tax all of them and they can write off charitable work.
  • +2
    Lorenzo November 14, 2008 19:07:02
    Lorenzo

    Yes

    moderated...
  • +3
    realistic one November 14, 2008 19:05:32
    realistic one

    Yes

    Absolutely. These fanatics go around moaning about separation of church and state. Then they go around using their church funding for political things. Not only that, but the leaders of the church live high on the hog. That's not the way it's supposed to be. They need to cease and desist their lobbying with money for political propositions. I don't care f it is moral issues to them. Keep their religous dogma out of politics. I have always been in favor of taxing these hypocrites.
    How many preachers really practice what they preach?
  • +3
    AnneMac November 14, 2008 18:54:34
    AnneMac

    Yes

    Engaging in political activities is forbidden in the rules for tax-exempt organizations. You'll notice that when you make donations to political causes they expressly say that it is not tax-exempt. So, if a religious group or organization, foundation, etc. uses their money, time and efforts to directly influence political causes in the secular world, it's time for their tax-exempt status to be reviewed, and possibly reversed, in light of their new political mission.
  • +2
    bigfoot November 14, 2008 17:52:10
    bigfoot

    Yes

    i agree with Peggy.and in addition i think the churches time is far better spent conducting religious business.rather than passing on their failures to government to solve.
  • +5
    Patriotic Intellect November 14, 2008 16:52:10
    Patriotic Intellect

    Yes

    I can't believe we are having a discussion about this. Raise your hand if you are for theocracy? You're not? Okay, then the government must make churches follow the law.
  • +2
    KellyDe... Patriot... November 14, 2008 17:20:50
    KellyDew~YES WE CAN
    The law says they dont have to pay...

    http://hushmoney.org/501c3-fa...
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