Pastors Try to Pick Tax fight with IRS

[Ruiz]

This is becoming a regular event. Tell me what you think about this article?

 

[billwald]

The IRS will ignore them.

One would think that a CHRISTIAN church would want to obey the law. If they want to play politics they should form a PAC like everyone else or give up their tax exemption.

 

[preachinjesus]

Politics and political endorsements have ZERO place in a pulpit.

If you want to waste your congregation's time with that kind of foolishness I've got nothing to offer you. At the church where I get to serve we have more than enough to say about Jesus and the Gospel and that seems to just fill up our time on Sundays.

I've gotten up and walked out of churches where pastors were being ridiculously political. It has no place.

And from what I read in the NT we are to obey the rulers and rules over us so long as they aren't contrary to the Gospel. So I guess I'd have to ask, how is endorsing the Republican candidate for President part of the Gospel?

 

[Salty]

.

... So I guess I'd have to ask, how is endorsing the Republican candidate for President part of the Gospel?

and don't forget the large # of churches who endorse the Democratic candidate for President

 

[Havensdad]

The IRS will ignore them.

One would think that a CHRISTIAN church would want to obey the law. If they want to play politics they should form a PAC like everyone else or give up their tax exemption.

They are obeying the law. Churches do not have tax exemption the same way that other non-profit organizations do. They are guaranteed tax exemption under the constitution.

Pastors have the right, and the DUTY to inform their congregation on political candidates and issues, when those candidates and issues involve Biblical issues. I would have no trouble standing up in the pulpit and telling the congregation "Don't vote for Obama. He believes its ok to kill babies."

 

[Robert Snow]

I would have no trouble standing up in the pulpit and telling the congregation "Don't vote for Obama. He believes its ok to kill babies."

And I would have no problem if the Federal Government revoked your tax exempt status and ceased your churches assets!

 

[Ruiz]

There are some good points here. My view is as follows:

1. The Church should not be endorsing candidates in most cases. There are exceptions to this rule but in general I agree.

2. The state should not violate the separation of Church and State and the Church's right to freedom of Speech to endorse a candidate. Freedom of Speech, the Press, and Religion were all in the 1st Amendment. I find it highly offensive that we could be punished for endorsing a political candidate which is a violation of the Constitution.

3. The state is overstepping her bounds theologically by telling a church what to do and not to do in this regards. I see that the government has such authority. Thus, violation of this law is not immoral.

Finally, murder is a reason to tell people not to vote for a candidate. Abortion is murder and Obama advances abortion. I cannot see how anyone can support such a man for President. If you do not protect life, you will never protect liberty.

 

[Magnetic Poles]

They are obeying the law. Churches do not have tax exemption the same way that other non-profit organizations do. They are guaranteed tax exemption under the constitution. [/QUOTEWhere do you find this?

 

[Magnetic Poles]

If a church wants to become a PAC, then revoke its tax exemption. Pay your taxes and you get to play politics.

 

[mandym]

If a church wants to become a PAC, then revoke its tax exemption. Pay your taxes and you get to play politics.

Should Media Matters be tax exempt?

 

[Robert Snow]

Should Media Matters be tax exempt?

Since this thread is about pastors, who pastor's Media Matters?

Maybe you should start another thread, not derail this one.

 

[mandym]

Since this thread is about pastors, who pastor's Media Matters?

Maybe you should start another thread, not derail this one.

I was trying to see some consistency on this issue. So how about you, do you believe they should both lose their tax exempt status?

 

[Ruiz]

Albert Mohler has a wonderful podcast on 10/4/2011, that you can find here. This is one of the best commentaries I have heard/read yet.

 

[webdog]

And I would have no problem if the Federal Government revoked your tax exempt status and ceased your churches assets!

Agreed. It would be on thing to state "as Christians you should not support a candidate that believes it is OK to kill babies", but to openly endorse a candidate is not what a pastor should do and does violate their tax exempt status.