Pastors handing in their sermons in Houston.

Redwyvre

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religious groups in America operate somewhere in a shade of gray and there is just no other way... but believe me if they try anything to raise revenue like a for profit organization the IRS jumps on them immediately with the threat to pull their non-profit status.
 

StormfrontFL

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Even if it is the politics of civil rights? Churches and church sponsored groups have worked on both sides of issues involving the rights of minority groups in the USA. Don't think for a minute they haven't advised their memberships how to vote.

Should the Southern Christian Leadership Conference loose it's tax exemption? Ebenezer Baptist in Atlanta?

I think all churches should pay taxes, but unfortunately religion is too deeply embedded in American politics for that to ever happen.
If they preach politics,yes,they should lose their exemption. Preach against civil right infractions as noted in the Bible all they want but the second the real world(namely a political figure or vote) comes into it the line is crossed
 

Fuzzy_

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But that's not what I had in mind. I was asking what level of connection to politics religious communities should be allowed to teach. Should they be allowed to endorse candidates or political parties?

They should be able to 'preach' who to vote for, as long as they're willing to lose their tax-exempt status.
 

b.c.

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Okay, you are right about the SCLC. What about addressing the point of my post?

what's with the "Lol"?

I don't know Vince, it just struck me as funny, but then again, I'd have more "inside" knowledge on that.

Know however that I more often find your posts and insight most excellent, and I too happen to believe all churches should pay taxes.


As to your point, Storm pretty much covers it below:

If they preach politics,yes,they should lose their exemption. Preach against civil right infractions as noted in the Bible all they want but the second the real world(namely a political figure or vote) comes into it the line is crossed
 
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twoton

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excellent, and I too happen to believe all churches should pay taxes.

But then they'd have more influence on the political process. If they pay taxes, what's to keep them from fielding their own candidates?

And if they pay taxes, what happens to the separation?
 

b.c.

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But then they'd have more influence on the political process. If they pay taxes, what's to keep them from fielding their own candidates?

And if they pay taxes, what happens to the separation?

That's a good point too. Though in various ways they seem to have influence and involvement enough already, considering certain companies seek to deny healthcare coverage on religious grounds, and certain others bemoan their "religious freedom" to dictate morality to the rest of us.

Anytime religious organizations can contribute 40 million in support of a discriminatory measure such as prop 8, then maybe that money might be better spent by contributing their fair share of TITHES in support of "the flock" - by way of paying taxes.
 

h0neymustard

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Houston mayor takes back the subpoenas, because they weren't beneficial for Houston. Yeah, that's the reason. Not because they were illegal and infringe on religious liberties.