Pastors prepare to take on IRS over political endorsement ban

Quote from rrc06 : sure, but not when it gets to the point of political activism and campaigning

Why if PAC's are considered tax-exempt good 'ol Pastors have to pay out the pocket?

Don't think it goes far enough. Churches should be treated like companies. Only get tax exemptions on charitable donations, and taxed on everything else. Why should they get to write off paying their pastor or making sure their worship team has the best instruments or having theatre lights and smoke machines?

Yes, these are all things I witnessed a church doing with its money.

Quote from Danman114 : Why if PAC's are considered tax-exempt good 'ol Pastors have to pay out the pocket?

Probably time to start looking at PACs

Generally speaking, Im for the repeal of the Johnson rule and for the maintenance of tax exempt status for churches.

There is an issue with double taxation with churches as their primary income is tithing, which has already been taxed via the individual. However my main concerns are more to do with Church/State issues.

Quote from bridgeburner : Don't think it goes far enough. Churches should be treated like companies. Only get tax exemptions on charitable donations, and taxed on everything else. Why should they get to write off paying their pastor or making sure their worship team has the best instruments or having theatre lights and smoke machines? Yes, these are all things I witnessed a church doing with its money.

Perhaps the theatre lights and smoke machines were to attract children......Oh, that's a different thread.

Why am I sure the IRS will be focusing it's attention on some churches and not others.......

Quote from lemontart68 : Churches are exempt because they serve the state, simple as that.

I'm curious as to how they serve the state.

Quote from rrc06 : Probably time to start looking at PACs

Why? Do you think all non-profits need to pay more in taxes? Or just non-profits that have political motives?

Quote from Danman114 : Why? Do you think all non-profits need to pay more in taxes? Or just non-profits that have political motives?

Non-profits that don't conform to these requirements [irs.gov]. And yes if a non-profit is acting on behalf of a political party or candidate, they should be treated as such by the IRS at tax time.

Quote from rrc06 : Non-profits that don't conform to these requirements [irs.gov]. And yes if a non-profit is acting on behalf of a political party or candidate, they should be treated as such by the IRS at tax time.

Why can't you be religious and support a particular candidate or party? The two concepts aren't mutually exclusive.

Quote from Danman114 : Why can't you be religious and support a particular candidate or party? The two concepts aren't mutually exclusive.

Not a problem. Why should you expect the government to exempt you from taxation if you decide to leave the religious realm and enter the political one.

Quote from rrc06 : Not a problem. Why should you expect the government to exempt you from taxation if you decide to leave the religious realm and enter the political one.

The 2 are not separate realms.

Quote from EscapeVelo : The 2 are not separate realms.

They can be at the pulpit.

Everything everywhere is always about religion.

Politics are derived from the metaphysics, morality, and values which come from religious traditions and beliefs.

This foolishness about separating religion and governance in a democracy is senseless on the one hand and oppressive on the other.

The separation of church and state is about a separation of organizations.

Christian metaphysics underpins our system of government. Citizens inform policy and law, Christianity (as well as other things) informs citizens.