IRS going after Baptist preacher

That conflicts with your statement [in spite of your omission of a word or 2]: "I say tax all churches and let them endorse whoever they please."

 

If my memory serves, churches played a huge role in preparing for the War for Independence in political statements from pulpits; the same is true concerning slavery and the Civil War.

No freedom of speech here. The only ones who should be afraid of pastors giving endorsements are those who hate God and Judeo-Christian principles.

 

There is a difference between standing up for a moral principle such as slavery, abortion, just war, etc. and endorsing a candidate. Churches should stick with principles and not get into endorsing candidates for political races. Pastors and church ministers who want to be activists outside of the church and support particular candidates as a citizen have every right to do so, but when they endorse a candidate from the pulpit on Sunday morning or during a regularly scheduled church service then I think they are crossing a line. I have been to churches where the preacher introduced non-member political candidates to the congregation and basically suggested to support that candidate. Churches are tax exempt by their status as religious charitable organizations, but there is another IRS classification for political groups and it is strictly forbidden for organizations not in that classification to involve themselves in politically motivated ways (ie fundraising, political endorsements, etc.). So I strongly support anything that establishes that dividing line and limits churches from miring their reputation in political movements that could be self-serving on the part of the ministers and staff or that could give the perception of corruption.

 

>Churches hold a special tax exemption.

So do mosques and temples. But Christians don't have a special tax exemption, Thank God.

 

>churches played a huge role in preparing for the War for Independence

Best reason I can think of to clamp down on politicing preachers. Nothing "Christian" about rebelling against a Christian monarch.

 

Christian monarch? When? Who?

 

King rbell...

Geez, get with the program!!!

 

FYI, pastors of all different stripes would endorse both Democratic and Republican candidates.

 

MP you and I couldn't agree more. And the Churches that give up their pulpits to the Dems Presidential Candidates on Sunday mornings should do the same.

 

You can't be serious. To tax a congregation is double taxation. A body of people that gather in a building are taxpayers already and have a right to speak up when they feel that their Govt promotes policy that effects their lives and values. It would be wrong for a Pastor to keep silent such policies if he were aware of them. But I must agree that the pulpit should be for the preaching of the Gospel alone. All other communication could be spoken of in the fellowship hall.

 

On May 8, 1995, the IRS revoked the church's tax-exempt status. The Indiana Department of Revenue followed suit on July 7 of that year.

Full story
http://www2.indystar.com/library/factfiles/religion/churches/baptist_temple/tax_dispute.html

 

The article is wrong I will refer you back to post # 15

 

I fail to see how post #15 applies to this situation. I respectfully submit that I would need more than just "the article is wrong" to support your position.

 

The churchw as wrong in not paying out employment taxes. But the church cannot lose its tax exemption. And post 15 makes that clear.

 

Maggie doesn't seem to have anything else to say here.

 

The preacher should preach the word and let the word condemn anyone running for public office or justify anyone running for public office. that same word will condemn or justify men and women in the congeration. and everyone who calls themselves a christian. Never does he have to call anyone by name to single them out, Jesus will do that IF they ever enter into their closet to pray in secret. The Church house it not a place to condemn our kings and them that are in authority, but we are told to pray for them. we can express our opinions on the Baptist board through threads like this and still i have seen tempers flare. LOVE is what needs to be addressed.

 

I'm for doing away completely with the IRS and the income tax. I'm also for returning First Amendment rights to pastors. Let them endorse anyone they wish from the pulpit if they wish. If you don't like it, don't go to their church.

 

The real reason the IRS is going after the pastor is that he tried to deduct from his 1040 $600 as a business expense for the 25 pot luck meals he stuffed himself with throughout the year.

 

Amen! This is exactly what needs to be done. like your said, if a Pastor sticks to preaching the Word, he can guide his congregation without ever having to say a name. If he preaches the Word, then the rest will follow.

This is exactly where the pastors get it wrong in my opinion. They want to use the pulpit to proclaim who should run, who should be elected who would do a better job, who would "ruin" this country... If they would teach their flock how to apply the Bible in everyday life, then it would affect them more in a positive way, and more then just a vote for POTUS.

Preach the Word and get the Holy Spirit do the rest.

Jamie

 

There is also a big difference in endorsing a candidate as John Smith-Citizen and John Smith-Pastor of XYZ Church. The use of Church letterhead, or official Church anything for that matter, for endorsement implies the church as an institution supports it.

I have a real problem when a person uses his or her position (whether pastor, president, company CEO, etc) to endorse a candidate. You can say "It's his own opinion" as much as you ant but the conception is that is the stance of the group or institution.

I am appalled by the POTUS or a Senator or Congressman or anyone else from another state endorsing or campaigning for those running in my state. A person or business from another state has absolutley NO BUISNESS involving themselves in the campaign in my state. Unless you can vote for the person, you shouldn't be able to contribute to the campaign. Oops, that's another thread - sorry.