Should churches opposed to gay marriage get the same tax breaks?

[HenryBHough]

Actually they should get bigger breaks. We can concede that all religions should be considered to be doing "God's Work". But the conservative ones are also doing AMERICA'S work.

 

[whitehall]

Wow the "Southern poverty law center" seems fixated on

Think about this one. Thanks to John McCain's poorly written "campaign finance law" we have left wing propaganda sources like Media Matters which are tax exempt. Think about it, the 250 year old 1st Amendment guarantees freedom of religion but the ten year old Campaign reform guarantees that (mostly left wing) political propaganda is tax exempt. Media Matters masthead claims that they are in the business of "only" monitoring conservative speech. The point is that you need to look at political propaganda before you start attacking the the religious freedom inherent in the 1st Amendment.

Here is a short list of hate groups that enjoy the same tax exemption.

Tax-Exempt Charities the Southern Poverty Law Center Lists as Hate Groups

Abiding Truth Ministries Anaheim, Calif. $100,363
American Border Patrol Sierra Vista, Ariz. $930,541
American College of Pediatricians Gainesville, Fla. $88,991
American Family Association Tupelo, Miss. $29,790,357
American Freedom Defense Initiative New York, N.Y. $729,031
American Freedom Law Center Chandler, Ariz. $1,022,916
American Immigration Control Foundation Monterey, Va. $511,557
American Vision Powder Springs, Ga. $303,936
Brother Nathanael Foundation Priest River, Ind. $233,897
C-Fam Washington, D.C. $1,657,233
Californians for Population Stabilization Santa Barbara, Calif. $1,181,416
Campaign for Children and Families, aka Save California Sacramento, Calif. $217,241
Center for Security Policy Washington, D.C. $4,562,641
Chalcedon Foundation Vallecito, Calif. $795,997
Christian Action Network Forest, Va. $1,055,190
Christian Anti-Defamation League Vista, Calif. $156,479
Christian Home Educators of Colorado, aka Generations With Vision Parker, Colo. $1,292,570
Citizens for Community Values Cincinnati, Ohio $460,366
Citizens for Community Values Foundation Cincinnati, Ohio $0
Conservative Citizens Foundation Old Monroe, Mo. $0
Coral Ridge Ministries Media, aka D. James Kennedy Ministries (formerly known as Truth in Action) Fort Lauderdale, Fla. $5,709,355
Council for Social and Economic Studies Washington, D.C. $40,114
David Horowitz Freedom Center Sherman Oaks, Calif. $7,532,891
Family Research Council Washington, D.C. $15,420,182
Family Research Institute Colorado Springs, Colo. $59,911
Federation for American Immigration Reform Washington, D.C. $8,594,856
Fitzgerald Griffin Foundation Vienna, Va. $41,090
Florida Family Association Tampa, Fla. $209,625
Friends of Intelligence Practitioners, aka Citizens for National Security Boca Raton, Fla. $114,053
Global Helping to Advance Women & Children, aka Family Watch International Gilbert, Ariz. $350,909
IHS Press Norfolk, Va. $0
Illinois Family Institute Carol Stream, Ill. $540,400
In the Spirit of Chartres Committee Carrollton, Va. $0
Israel United In Christ Newburgh, N.Y. n/a
Jihad Watch Manchester, N.H. $68,442
Legion for the Survival of Freedom, aka Institute for Historical Review Santa Ana, Calif. $39,021
Liberty Counsel Orlando, Fla. $5,572,566
Masjid Al Islam Oakland, Calif. $7,200
Nation of Islam Mosque 74 Indianapolis, Ind. n/a
Nation of Islam of Atlanta Community Education Center Atlanta, Ga. n/a
National Policy Institute Whitefish, Mont. $125,325
New Century Foundation Oakton, Va. $243,861
Pacific Justice Institute Sacramento, Calif. $1,984,878
Pacific Justice Institute-Center For Public Service Sacramento, Calif. $0
Pass the Salt Ministries Hebron, Ohio $90,376
Probe Ministries International Plano, Tex. $651,324
Robert Sungenis/Catholic Apologetics International Publishing State Line, Pa. $139,890
Ruth Institute San Marcos, Calif. $262,113
Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology Green Bay, Wis. $970,378
Servant of Jesus & Mary Constable, N.Y. $4,873,280
Sharkhunters International Hernando, Fla., $0
Tradition in Action Montebello, Calif. $231,586
Traditional Values Coalition Education and Legal Institute Anaheim, Calif. $67,728
United Families Foundation, aka United Families International Gilbert, Ariz. $0
VDARE Foundation Litchfield, Conn. $293,663

Wow the "southern poverty law center doesn't seem as tolerant of guaranteed 1st Amendment religious institutions as they are of left wing propaganda sources. No surprises here.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

I don't understand why any church gets a tax break

1st Amendment. Taxes could be used to control churches.

 

[Divine Wind]

When did being an atheist become grounds for tax exemption?

It's a religious belief so, as long as they comply with the requirements, they're good to go.

Tax Information for Churches and Religious Organizations

Atheism isn't a religious belief, even if you want it to be.

It's not fact nor science. It's a belief about something unprovable.

 

[BULLDOG]

Actually they should get bigger breaks. We can concede that all religions should be considered to be doing "God's Work". But the conservative ones are also doing AMERICA'S work.

Depends on which God you're talking about, and Conservatives don't have a monopoly on Americanism.

Wow the "Southern poverty law center" seems fixated on

Think about this one. Thanks to John McCain's poorly written "campaign finance law" we have left wing propaganda sources like Media Matters which are tax exempt. Think about it, the 250 year old 1st Amendment guarantees freedom of religion but the ten year old Campaign reform guarantees that (mostly left wing) political propaganda is tax exempt. Media Matters masthead claims that they are in the business of "only" monitoring conservative speech. The point is that you need to look at political propaganda before you start attacking the the religious freedom inherent in the 1st Amendment.

Here is a short list of hate groups that enjoy the same tax exemption.

Tax-Exempt Charities the Southern Poverty Law Center Lists as Hate Groups

Abiding Truth Ministries Anaheim, Calif. $100,363
American Border Patrol Sierra Vista, Ariz. $930,541
American College of Pediatricians Gainesville, Fla. $88,991
American Family Association Tupelo, Miss. $29,790,357
American Freedom Defense Initiative New York, N.Y. $729,031
American Freedom Law Center Chandler, Ariz. $1,022,916
American Immigration Control Foundation Monterey, Va. $511,557
American Vision Powder Springs, Ga. $303,936
Brother Nathanael Foundation Priest River, Ind. $233,897
C-Fam Washington, D.C. $1,657,233
Californians for Population Stabilization Santa Barbara, Calif. $1,181,416
Campaign for Children and Families, aka Save California Sacramento, Calif. $217,241
Center for Security Policy Washington, D.C. $4,562,641
Chalcedon Foundation Vallecito, Calif. $795,997
Christian Action Network Forest, Va. $1,055,190
Christian Anti-Defamation League Vista, Calif. $156,479
Christian Home Educators of Colorado, aka Generations With Vision Parker, Colo. $1,292,570
Citizens for Community Values Cincinnati, Ohio $460,366
Citizens for Community Values Foundation Cincinnati, Ohio $0
Conservative Citizens Foundation Old Monroe, Mo. $0
Coral Ridge Ministries Media, aka D. James Kennedy Ministries (formerly known as Truth in Action) Fort Lauderdale, Fla. $5,709,355
Council for Social and Economic Studies Washington, D.C. $40,114
David Horowitz Freedom Center Sherman Oaks, Calif. $7,532,891
Family Research Council Washington, D.C. $15,420,182
Family Research Institute Colorado Springs, Colo. $59,911
Federation for American Immigration Reform Washington, D.C. $8,594,856
Fitzgerald Griffin Foundation Vienna, Va. $41,090
Florida Family Association Tampa, Fla. $209,625
Friends of Intelligence Practitioners, aka Citizens for National Security Boca Raton, Fla. $114,053
Global Helping to Advance Women & Children, aka Family Watch International Gilbert, Ariz. $350,909
IHS Press Norfolk, Va. $0
Illinois Family Institute Carol Stream, Ill. $540,400
In the Spirit of Chartres Committee Carrollton, Va. $0
Israel United In Christ Newburgh, N.Y. n/a
Jihad Watch Manchester, N.H. $68,442
Legion for the Survival of Freedom, aka Institute for Historical Review Santa Ana, Calif. $39,021
Liberty Counsel Orlando, Fla. $5,572,566
Masjid Al Islam Oakland, Calif. $7,200
Nation of Islam Mosque 74 Indianapolis, Ind. n/a
Nation of Islam of Atlanta Community Education Center Atlanta, Ga. n/a
National Policy Institute Whitefish, Mont. $125,325
New Century Foundation Oakton, Va. $243,861
Pacific Justice Institute Sacramento, Calif. $1,984,878
Pacific Justice Institute-Center For Public Service Sacramento, Calif. $0
Pass the Salt Ministries Hebron, Ohio $90,376
Probe Ministries International Plano, Tex. $651,324
Robert Sungenis/Catholic Apologetics International Publishing State Line, Pa. $139,890
Ruth Institute San Marcos, Calif. $262,113
Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology Green Bay, Wis. $970,378
Servant of Jesus & Mary Constable, N.Y. $4,873,280
Sharkhunters International Hernando, Fla., $0
Tradition in Action Montebello, Calif. $231,586
Traditional Values Coalition Education and Legal Institute Anaheim, Calif. $67,728
United Families Foundation, aka United Families International Gilbert, Ariz. $0
VDARE Foundation Litchfield, Conn. $293,663

Wow the "southern poverty law center doesn't seem as tolerant of guaranteed 1st Amendment religious institutions as they are of left wing propaganda sources. No surprises here.

So you think religious groups can't be hate groups?

 

[BULLDOG]

When did being an atheist become grounds for tax exemption?

It's a religious belief so, as long as they comply with the requirements, they're good to go.

Tax Information for Churches and Religious Organizations

Atheism isn't a religious belief, even if you want it to be.

It's not fact nor science. It's a belief about something unprovable.

It's lack of belief.

 

[Divine Wind]

Think about this one. Thanks to John McCain's poorly written "campaign finance law" we have left wing propaganda sources like Media Matters which are tax exempt. Think about it, the 250 year old 1st Amendment guarantees freedom of religion but the ten year old Campaign reform guarantees that (mostly left wing) political propaganda is tax exempt. Media Matters masthead claims that they are in the business of "only" monitoring conservative speech. The point is that you need to look at political propaganda before you start attacking the the religious freedom inherent in the 1st Amendment.

Here is a short list of hate groups that enjoy the same tax exemption.

Tax-Exempt Charities the Southern Poverty Law Center Lists as Hate Groups

Abiding Truth Ministries Anaheim, Calif. $100,363
American Border Patrol Sierra Vista, Ariz. $930,541
American College of Pediatricians Gainesville, Fla. $88,991
American Family Association Tupelo, Miss. $29,790,357
American Freedom Defense Initiative New York, N.Y. $729,031
American Freedom Law Center Chandler, Ariz. $1,022,916
American Immigration Control Foundation Monterey, Va. $511,557
American Vision Powder Springs, Ga. $303,936
Brother Nathanael Foundation Priest River, Ind. $233,897
C-Fam Washington, D.C. $1,657,233
Californians for Population Stabilization Santa Barbara, Calif. $1,181,416
Campaign for Children and Families, aka Save California Sacramento, Calif. $217,241
Center for Security Policy Washington, D.C. $4,562,641
Chalcedon Foundation Vallecito, Calif. $795,997
Christian Action Network Forest, Va. $1,055,190
Christian Anti-Defamation League Vista, Calif. $156,479
Christian Home Educators of Colorado, aka Generations With Vision Parker, Colo. $1,292,570
Citizens for Community Values Cincinnati, Ohio $460,366
Citizens for Community Values Foundation Cincinnati, Ohio $0
Conservative Citizens Foundation Old Monroe, Mo. $0
Coral Ridge Ministries Media, aka D. James Kennedy Ministries (formerly known as Truth in Action) Fort Lauderdale, Fla. $5,709,355
Council for Social and Economic Studies Washington, D.C. $40,114
David Horowitz Freedom Center Sherman Oaks, Calif. $7,532,891
Family Research Council Washington, D.C. $15,420,182
Family Research Institute Colorado Springs, Colo. $59,911
Federation for American Immigration Reform Washington, D.C. $8,594,856
Fitzgerald Griffin Foundation Vienna, Va. $41,090
Florida Family Association Tampa, Fla. $209,625
Friends of Intelligence Practitioners, aka Citizens for National Security Boca Raton, Fla. $114,053
Global Helping to Advance Women & Children, aka Family Watch International Gilbert, Ariz. $350,909
IHS Press Norfolk, Va. $0
Illinois Family Institute Carol Stream, Ill. $540,400
In the Spirit of Chartres Committee Carrollton, Va. $0
Israel United In Christ Newburgh, N.Y. n/a
Jihad Watch Manchester, N.H. $68,442
Legion for the Survival of Freedom, aka Institute for Historical Review Santa Ana, Calif. $39,021
Liberty Counsel Orlando, Fla. $5,572,566
Masjid Al Islam Oakland, Calif. $7,200
Nation of Islam Mosque 74 Indianapolis, Ind. n/a
Nation of Islam of Atlanta Community Education Center Atlanta, Ga. n/a
National Policy Institute Whitefish, Mont. $125,325
New Century Foundation Oakton, Va. $243,861
Pacific Justice Institute Sacramento, Calif. $1,984,878
Pacific Justice Institute-Center For Public Service Sacramento, Calif. $0
Pass the Salt Ministries Hebron, Ohio $90,376
Probe Ministries International Plano, Tex. $651,324
Robert Sungenis/Catholic Apologetics International Publishing State Line, Pa. $139,890
Ruth Institute San Marcos, Calif. $262,113
Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology Green Bay, Wis. $970,378
Servant of Jesus & Mary Constable, N.Y. $4,873,280
Sharkhunters International Hernando, Fla., $0
Tradition in Action Montebello, Calif. $231,586
Traditional Values Coalition Education and Legal Institute Anaheim, Calif. $67,728
United Families Foundation, aka United Families International Gilbert, Ariz. $0
VDARE Foundation Litchfield, Conn. $293,663

Why didn't you link your source?

 

[Luddly Neddite]

As per our constitution, places of religious worship get certain protections. Unless that's changed, those protections must be honored.

I agree but if they're going to be political, they should not get special tax breaks.

Or, all political groups, lobbyists, etc should get the same break.

Same if they're going be common hate groups, then all hate groups should get the same.


Sent from my iPad using USMessageBoard.com

 

[BULLDOG]

Think about this one. Thanks to John McCain's poorly written "campaign finance law" we have left wing propaganda sources like Media Matters which are tax exempt. Think about it, the 250 year old 1st Amendment guarantees freedom of religion but the ten year old Campaign reform guarantees that (mostly left wing) political propaganda is tax exempt. Media Matters masthead claims that they are in the business of "only" monitoring conservative speech. The point is that you need to look at political propaganda before you start attacking the the religious freedom inherent in the 1st Amendment.

Here is a short list of hate groups that enjoy the same tax exemption.

Tax-Exempt Charities the Southern Poverty Law Center Lists as Hate Groups

Abiding Truth Ministries Anaheim, Calif. $100,363
American Border Patrol Sierra Vista, Ariz. $930,541
American College of Pediatricians Gainesville, Fla. $88,991
American Family Association Tupelo, Miss. $29,790,357
American Freedom Defense Initiative New York, N.Y. $729,031
American Freedom Law Center Chandler, Ariz. $1,022,916
American Immigration Control Foundation Monterey, Va. $511,557
American Vision Powder Springs, Ga. $303,936
Brother Nathanael Foundation Priest River, Ind. $233,897
C-Fam Washington, D.C. $1,657,233
Californians for Population Stabilization Santa Barbara, Calif. $1,181,416
Campaign for Children and Families, aka Save California Sacramento, Calif. $217,241
Center for Security Policy Washington, D.C. $4,562,641
Chalcedon Foundation Vallecito, Calif. $795,997
Christian Action Network Forest, Va. $1,055,190
Christian Anti-Defamation League Vista, Calif. $156,479
Christian Home Educators of Colorado, aka Generations With Vision Parker, Colo. $1,292,570
Citizens for Community Values Cincinnati, Ohio $460,366
Citizens for Community Values Foundation Cincinnati, Ohio $0
Conservative Citizens Foundation Old Monroe, Mo. $0
Coral Ridge Ministries Media, aka D. James Kennedy Ministries (formerly known as Truth in Action) Fort Lauderdale, Fla. $5,709,355
Council for Social and Economic Studies Washington, D.C. $40,114
David Horowitz Freedom Center Sherman Oaks, Calif. $7,532,891
Family Research Council Washington, D.C. $15,420,182
Family Research Institute Colorado Springs, Colo. $59,911
Federation for American Immigration Reform Washington, D.C. $8,594,856
Fitzgerald Griffin Foundation Vienna, Va. $41,090
Florida Family Association Tampa, Fla. $209,625
Friends of Intelligence Practitioners, aka Citizens for National Security Boca Raton, Fla. $114,053
Global Helping to Advance Women & Children, aka Family Watch International Gilbert, Ariz. $350,909
IHS Press Norfolk, Va. $0
Illinois Family Institute Carol Stream, Ill. $540,400
In the Spirit of Chartres Committee Carrollton, Va. $0
Israel United In Christ Newburgh, N.Y. n/a
Jihad Watch Manchester, N.H. $68,442
Legion for the Survival of Freedom, aka Institute for Historical Review Santa Ana, Calif. $39,021
Liberty Counsel Orlando, Fla. $5,572,566
Masjid Al Islam Oakland, Calif. $7,200
Nation of Islam Mosque 74 Indianapolis, Ind. n/a
Nation of Islam of Atlanta Community Education Center Atlanta, Ga. n/a
National Policy Institute Whitefish, Mont. $125,325
New Century Foundation Oakton, Va. $243,861
Pacific Justice Institute Sacramento, Calif. $1,984,878
Pacific Justice Institute-Center For Public Service Sacramento, Calif. $0
Pass the Salt Ministries Hebron, Ohio $90,376
Probe Ministries International Plano, Tex. $651,324
Robert Sungenis/Catholic Apologetics International Publishing State Line, Pa. $139,890
Ruth Institute San Marcos, Calif. $262,113
Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology Green Bay, Wis. $970,378
Servant of Jesus & Mary Constable, N.Y. $4,873,280
Sharkhunters International Hernando, Fla., $0
Tradition in Action Montebello, Calif. $231,586
Traditional Values Coalition Education and Legal Institute Anaheim, Calif. $67,728
United Families Foundation, aka United Families International Gilbert, Ariz. $0
VDARE Foundation Litchfield, Conn. $293,663

Why didn't you link your source?

Here it is
Dozens of ‘Hate Groups’ Have Tax-Exempt Status, <em>Chronicle</em> Study Finds - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

 

[Divine Wind]

When did being an atheist become grounds for tax exemption?

It's a religious belief so, as long as they comply with the requirements, they're good to go.

Tax Information for Churches and Religious Organizations

Atheism isn't a religious belief, even if you want it to be.

It's not fact nor science. It's a belief about something unprovable.

It's lack of belief.

That's a common assertion, but there's a difference between someone who admits there is no way of knowing if there is a "beyond" or not and someone who flat out says there is not god(s), beyond or afterlife. You are free to believe as you wish.

 

[EvilCat Breath]

I don't understand why any church gets a tax break

Because the government gets to tell them what they can and cannot say. A church could not endorse a political candidate or speak out on social issues. A church may refuse to perform same sex ceremonies but may not condemn homosexuality.

They can condemn homosexuality all they want.They just can't treat them unfairly when they are doing business with the general pubic.

You have confused business with churches. Churches don't do business with the general public.

 

[Blackrook]

Think about this one. Thanks to John McCain's poorly written "campaign finance law" we have left wing propaganda sources like Media Matters which are tax exempt. Think about it, the 250 year old 1st Amendment guarantees freedom of religion but the ten year old Campaign reform guarantees that (mostly left wing) political propaganda is tax exempt. Media Matters masthead claims that they are in the business of "only" monitoring conservative speech. The point is that you need to look at political propaganda before you start attacking the the religious freedom inherent in the 1st Amendment.

Here is a short list of hate groups that enjoy the same tax exemption.

Tax-Exempt Charities the Southern Poverty Law Center Lists as Hate Groups

Abiding Truth Ministries Anaheim, Calif. $100,363
American Border Patrol Sierra Vista, Ariz. $930,541
American College of Pediatricians Gainesville, Fla. $88,991
American Family Association Tupelo, Miss. $29,790,357
American Freedom Defense Initiative New York, N.Y. $729,031
American Freedom Law Center Chandler, Ariz. $1,022,916
American Immigration Control Foundation Monterey, Va. $511,557
American Vision Powder Springs, Ga. $303,936
Brother Nathanael Foundation Priest River, Ind. $233,897
C-Fam Washington, D.C. $1,657,233
Californians for Population Stabilization Santa Barbara, Calif. $1,181,416
Campaign for Children and Families, aka Save California Sacramento, Calif. $217,241
Center for Security Policy Washington, D.C. $4,562,641
Chalcedon Foundation Vallecito, Calif. $795,997
Christian Action Network Forest, Va. $1,055,190
Christian Anti-Defamation League Vista, Calif. $156,479
Christian Home Educators of Colorado, aka Generations With Vision Parker, Colo. $1,292,570
Citizens for Community Values Cincinnati, Ohio $460,366
Citizens for Community Values Foundation Cincinnati, Ohio $0
Conservative Citizens Foundation Old Monroe, Mo. $0
Coral Ridge Ministries Media, aka D. James Kennedy Ministries (formerly known as Truth in Action) Fort Lauderdale, Fla. $5,709,355
Council for Social and Economic Studies Washington, D.C. $40,114
David Horowitz Freedom Center Sherman Oaks, Calif. $7,532,891
Family Research Council Washington, D.C. $15,420,182
Family Research Institute Colorado Springs, Colo. $59,911
Federation for American Immigration Reform Washington, D.C. $8,594,856
Fitzgerald Griffin Foundation Vienna, Va. $41,090
Florida Family Association Tampa, Fla. $209,625
Friends of Intelligence Practitioners, aka Citizens for National Security Boca Raton, Fla. $114,053
Global Helping to Advance Women & Children, aka Family Watch International Gilbert, Ariz. $350,909
IHS Press Norfolk, Va. $0
Illinois Family Institute Carol Stream, Ill. $540,400
In the Spirit of Chartres Committee Carrollton, Va. $0
Israel United In Christ Newburgh, N.Y. n/a
Jihad Watch Manchester, N.H. $68,442
Legion for the Survival of Freedom, aka Institute for Historical Review Santa Ana, Calif. $39,021
Liberty Counsel Orlando, Fla. $5,572,566
Masjid Al Islam Oakland, Calif. $7,200
Nation of Islam Mosque 74 Indianapolis, Ind. n/a
Nation of Islam of Atlanta Community Education Center Atlanta, Ga. n/a
National Policy Institute Whitefish, Mont. $125,325
New Century Foundation Oakton, Va. $243,861
Pacific Justice Institute Sacramento, Calif. $1,984,878
Pacific Justice Institute-Center For Public Service Sacramento, Calif. $0
Pass the Salt Ministries Hebron, Ohio $90,376
Probe Ministries International Plano, Tex. $651,324
Robert Sungenis/Catholic Apologetics International Publishing State Line, Pa. $139,890
Ruth Institute San Marcos, Calif. $262,113
Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology Green Bay, Wis. $970,378
Servant of Jesus & Mary Constable, N.Y. $4,873,280
Sharkhunters International Hernando, Fla., $0
Tradition in Action Montebello, Calif. $231,586
Traditional Values Coalition Education and Legal Institute Anaheim, Calif. $67,728
United Families Foundation, aka United Families International Gilbert, Ariz. $0
VDARE Foundation Litchfield, Conn. $293,663

So basically, everyone to the right of Sam Nunn is a "hate group".

 

[Luddly Neddite]

The crazies want Chip and Joanna Gaines punished for what their church believes. That's truly insane. The left wants to control who goes to what church people go to.

It's a Good Life

On an isolated family farm, a young boy with vast mental powers, but lacking emotional development, holds his terrified family in thrall to his every juvenile wish.
Director:
James Sheldon
Writers:
Rod Serling (teleplay by), Jerome Bixby (based on a short story by) | 1 more credit »
Stars:
John Larch, Cloris Leachman, Don Keefer |See full cast & crew »

In a small farming community in Ohio, a young boy by the name of Anthony Fremont terrorizes those around him. Anthony has the ability to command anything he wants simply by thought. The community is cut off from the outside world and the boy insists that those around him think only pleasant thoughts, and if they don't, he eliminates them. Everyone walks in fear of the lad who ably demonstrates what he's prepared to do at a small party in his home. Written by garykmcd

You would have no way of knowing this but that's a fictional story.

Yes, really.

[emoji57]


Sent from my iPad using USMessageBoard.com

 

[Missouri_Mike]

I don't understand why any church gets a tax break

I don't understand why they can't be political and keep the tax break when any left wing group can.

 

[Divine Wind]

Here it is
Dozens of ‘Hate Groups’ Have Tax-Exempt Status, <em>Chronicle</em> Study Finds - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

I can see why you wanted to keep it hidden:

""Hate group" designations are invariably going to be controversial, said Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University at San Bernardino and a former Southern Poverty Law Center employee. Though he believes the SPLC’s list is "principled," Mr. Levin said it is incomplete — leaving out, for example, groups viewed as far left."

""We want to be careful about what we’re requiring the public to subsidize through tax exemption and at the same time we want not to inhibit speech too much," said Eric Gorovitz, a lawyer with Adler & Colvin, a firm specializing in nonprofit law. "That's just hard to do.""

 

[Blackrook]

The crazies want Chip and Joanna Gaines punished for what their church believes. That's truly insane. The left wants to control who goes to what church people go to.

It's a Good Life

On an isolated family farm, a young boy with vast mental powers, but lacking emotional development, holds his terrified family in thrall to his every juvenile wish.
Director:
James Sheldon
Writers:
Rod Serling (teleplay by), Jerome Bixby (based on a short story by) | 1 more credit »
Stars:
John Larch, Cloris Leachman, Don Keefer |See full cast & crew »

In a small farming community in Ohio, a young boy by the name of Anthony Fremont terrorizes those around him. Anthony has the ability to command anything he wants simply by thought. The community is cut off from the outside world and the boy insists that those around him think only pleasant thoughts, and if they don't, he eliminates them. Everyone walks in fear of the lad who ably demonstrates what he's prepared to do at a small party in his home. Written by garykmcd

You would have no way of knowing this but that's a fictional story.

Yes, really.

[emoji57]


Sent from my iPad using USMessageBoard.com

The story is fiction, but it applies to the modern left in a very real way. Look at Berkeley, they're not even letting conservatives give speeches there.

 

[Divine Wind]

I don't understand why any church gets a tax break

I don't understand why they can't be political and keep the tax break when any left wing group can.

None should be able to break the rules. The IRS should enforce the rules of the exemption or deny the exemption.

 

[BULLDOG]

When did being an atheist become grounds for tax exemption?

It's a religious belief so, as long as they comply with the requirements, they're good to go.

Tax Information for Churches and Religious Organizations

Atheism isn't a religious belief, even if you want it to be.

It's not fact nor science. It's a belief about something unprovable.

It's lack of belief.

That's a common assertion, but there's a difference between someone who admits there is no way of knowing if there is a "beyond" or not and someone who flat out says there is not god(s), beyond or afterlife. You are free to believe as you wish.

Some Atheists believe there is no god or gods. Some believe there might be a possibility , but there is no reason to believe there is. After all, there is no way to prove either way. Lack of belief in any god is all it takes.

 

[BULLDOG]

I don't understand why any church gets a tax break

Because the government gets to tell them what they can and cannot say. A church could not endorse a political candidate or speak out on social issues. A church may refuse to perform same sex ceremonies but may not condemn homosexuality.

They can condemn homosexuality all they want.They just can't treat them unfairly when they are doing business with the general pubic.

You have confused business with churches. Churches don't do business with the general public.

When they run hospitals or day schools they do.

 

[Seawytch]

I don't understand why any church gets a tax break

As long as we give tax breaks for charity, that part of a church should be tax deductible.