Tax exemptions for churches

I'd like to see another option: only tax individuals.

 

I was a big supporter of tax free churches, until the challenges brought to me by my Baptist Board Bretheren.

Answer me this, though, if taxes are ruled no longer exempt from tax-free status, does anyone fear momentum, or inertia of a whle boatload of negative sentiment directed at people who attend ?

 

No the communist dems just want what they think thye are entitled to. Ouir money.

 

Who's going to pay for your war?

 

There may not be any left after the _______ (fill in your own derogatory adjective) Republicans get done.

Tim Reynolds

 

So far the Chinese government is paying for it by purchasing our federal government's bonds. Whether or not it will continue to do so we'll just have to see.

 

How'd he get his own war ?

 

I don't know.. but if he got one... I want mine too!!!

(tiny stomps off in a temper tantrum!)

 

Tax exemptions

The churches of America have built their buildings, programs and ministries on the back of the US Gov't. through the "not for profit gift". Countless millions of dollars have been "credited" when given as gifts against tax bills and we have been on the church dole system for a long time.
Tax Exemption says "you have the right to tax us, but we are humbly praying to you for your mercy so that we do not have to pay it".
Then the Pastor becomes a CEO of a private state born corporation that the Blood bought Church of the Lord Jesus comes into union with. She is espoused to one Groom. She is to look to only one Benefactor.

I appreciate what Orchard said in his Baptist History. He listed the distinctives of those who are called Baptists.

The ENTIRE separation of church and state.

Some of you folks tout separation but you fill out the forms every year and make an "affinity" (to use a scriptural word) with the state. You become their partner every year. You make a contract every year with the state saying "if you give us our benefit we promise to follow your guidelines and do only what you say to keep our benefit".

This is the reality of Tax Exemption.
Bartimaeus

 

I just want the "strings" attached to 501c3 removed, to allow free speech from the pulpit. I guess that's the what my position boils down to. I want James Dobson to be able to say that Focus on the family endorses a candidate, or opposes one for any reason it chooses, and at any time it chooses (thank you McCain/ Feingold).

 

This is why the church is exempt. The affairs of church and state, including finances (part of "entire") is to be kept separate.

Tax exemption is not filling out a yearly form or promising to follow guidelines in return for benefits. A church's mission and message should be defined by Scripture. Unfortunately too many preachers would rather preach politics than Jesus.

Someone mentions Dobson ... Dobson is not a church. That is a completely different issue as a 501c3.

 

I am going to preach what God sends me to preach regardless of the tax status. If we then lose our exemption then that is God's business.

 

You're right, but the strings that come with Dobson's 'not for profit' org. are similar, IMO. But I should have thought that through better.

 

That is precisely what should be, but many pastors, including ours will not. I'm referring to current political events.
If you choose to not talk politics, or lifestyles, your exemption is fine.

 

I do not choose the message. God does. Prophets of old were sent with messages from God and were slaughtered for it. Today preachers fill the pulpit with the courage of a mouse. and scurry like a roach. We are to preach the word being instant in season and out of season. Whether it is convenient or otherwise. We sre not called to live dual secular and Christian lives. And politcs are not a separate issue in the lives of Christians. It is all part of the Christian walk.

 

I agree, hillclimber1, that churches should have more freedom of speech not less, but I think it's dangerous (for credibility) to start endorsing specific candidates. Career politicians are very, very corrupt-- or so I'm told. I remember watching World News over summer and seeing Delay speaking at family organizations as he was being indicted. I think it's best to stick with just endorsing ideas.

But on principle, I agree with you about the right to do so.

 

"Tax exemption is not filling out a yearly form or promising to follow guidelines in return for benefits. "

Pastor Larry, Let me quote this so that you can be better informed.

"For example, establishing its exempt status under section 501 (c)(3) provides the contributors of the church with advance assurance that their contributions are tax deductible. In order to receive this recognition and advance assurance, the organization must submit a Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption, to the IRS and pay the applicable user fee."

So there are forms to fill out and in filling out the form you must stay by the guidelines.

Bartimaeus

 

I tried to edit and state the publication citation but for some reason it would not edit.

The quote above on the IRS Form 1023 comes from IRS publication 1828 (9-94) Cat. No. 21096G.

Bartimaeus