Comments on: Political Religion http://inaeth.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/political-religion/ Thoughts on Open Source Software, Comparative Religion, and... Games! Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:49:18 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: inaeth http://inaeth.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/political-religion/#comment-90 inaeth Fri, 22 Sep 2006 19:40:50 +0000 http://inaeth.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/political-religion/#comment-90 You caught me! That supid dyslexia of mine... :) The point of the article is that this church had, as far as I can tell from the story, only made one sermon on the values of peace, and the IRS is stepping in at the behest of the Bush administration to audit them with the goal of taking away their tax exempt status. Now, contrast that with a group like Focus on the Family, where over half of their budgetary concerns are diverted to changing, influencing, approving or disapproving candidates, policies, and programs, much like a political lobbyist organization. You caught me! That supid dyslexia of mine… :)

The point of the article is that this church had, as far as I can tell from the story, only made one sermon on the values of peace, and the IRS is stepping in at the behest of the Bush administration to audit them with the goal of taking away their tax exempt status. Now, contrast that with a group like Focus on the Family, where over half of their budgetary concerns are diverted to changing, influencing, approving or disapproving candidates, policies, and programs, much like a political lobbyist organization.

]]> By: a2jbigdaddy http://inaeth.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/political-religion/#comment-86 a2jbigdaddy Thu, 21 Sep 2006 23:06:14 +0000 http://inaeth.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/political-religion/#comment-86 Not to nit-pick either, but you might revisit your understanding of both the IRS code regarding 501(c)(3) organizations as well as the role and purpose of such organizations and pastors listed in your post. "Political activities and legislative activities are two different things and are subject to two different sets of rules. The rules depend on the type of tax-exempt organization, the type of activity (political or legislative) at issue, the scope or amount of the activity conducted, and the consequences of exceeding the given set of limitations. In general, no organization may qualify for section 501(c)(3) status if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying). A 501(c)(3) organization may engage in some lobbying, but too much lobbying activity risks loss of tax-exempt status. Organizations may, however, involve themselves in issues of public policy without the activity being considered as lobbying. For example, organizations may conduct educational meetings, prepare and distribute educational materials, or otherwise consider public policy issues in an educational manner without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status." This is not to say that there are not organizations out there who bend this policy as far as they can....but I would challenge that they all dont lean to the right either. Not to nit-pick either, but you might revisit your understanding of both the IRS code regarding 501(c)(3) organizations as well as the role and purpose of such organizations and pastors listed in your post.
“Political activities and legislative activities are two different things and are subject to two different sets of rules. The rules depend on the type of tax-exempt organization, the type of activity (political or legislative) at issue, the scope or amount of the activity conducted, and the consequences of exceeding the given set of limitations.
In general, no organization may qualify for section 501(c)(3) status if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying). A 501(c)(3) organization may engage in some lobbying, but too much lobbying activity risks loss of tax-exempt status.
Organizations may, however, involve themselves in issues of public policy without the activity being considered as lobbying. For example, organizations may conduct educational meetings, prepare and distribute educational materials, or otherwise consider public policy issues in an educational manner without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status.”
This is not to say that there are not organizations out there who bend this policy as far as they can….but I would challenge that they all dont lean to the right either.

]]> By: ollysk2 http://inaeth.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/political-religion/#comment-84 ollysk2 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 22:39:47 +0000 http://inaeth.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/political-religion/#comment-84 @inaeth -- very interesting post! I gotta nitpick though, it's actually 501(c)(3) ;) -olly @inaeth — very interesting post! I gotta nitpick though, it’s actually 501(c)(3) ;)

-olly

]]> By: inaeth http://inaeth.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/political-religion/#comment-82 inaeth Wed, 20 Sep 2006 01:42:00 +0000 http://inaeth.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/political-religion/#comment-82 Actually, I think that would not be that bad of an idea. If a church wants to become active in the political sphere, then let them pay taxes. Actually, I think that would not be that bad of an idea. If a church wants to become active in the political sphere, then let them pay taxes.

]]> By: J http://inaeth.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/political-religion/#comment-81 J Wed, 20 Sep 2006 00:32:11 +0000 http://inaeth.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/political-religion/#comment-81 Tax the churches. Let God pay the national debt! Tax the churches. Let God pay the national debt!

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