NationStates Jolt Archive

It's about damn time. (http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/11/29/focusonthefamily.irs.ap/index.html)
The complaint, filed Monday by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, also asked the IRS to investigate whether the tax-exempt status of Focus on the Family should be revoked. Tax-exempt organizations cannot participate in campaigns for or against candidates for public office.

The group alleges that news articles showed Dobson endorsed candidates for Congress before the organization officially formed its separate public policy arm, Focus on the Family Action, in July 2004.

Now, political cynic that I am, I don't expect the IRS to actually do anything about the complaint, but I'm still glad it's been made.

If they were violating campain rules (and tax rules) absolutly they should be investigated

Though I have a feeling they were supporting the current administration ... so I have my doubts if things will be done in a timly manner without feet dragging

On a somewhat related note...

Bumper sticker: "Focus on your own damn Family!"

;)

On a somewhat related note...

Bumper sticker: "Focus on your own damn Family!"

;)
I like that. Back when I was a churchgoing man, one of my favorite scriptures came from the apostle Paul--can't remember exactly where--but it said "Make it your aim to mind your own business and do good works with your hands." Always thought more churches ought to focus on that one a bit more.

It's about damn time. (http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/11/29/focusonthefamily.irs.ap/index.html)

Now, political cynic that I am, I don't expect the IRS to actually do anything about the complaint, but I'm still glad it's been made.

What's funny now is that a court in Washington state has ruled that if you merely are a DJ and you talk favorably about an issue or candidate, that is considered an "in-kind" monetary donation, and counts towards campaign spending limits. Just opening your mouth might eventually become completely equal to money - that is, free speech will no longer be considered free - it will always have a monetary value assigned to it.

I think that most of these "focus groups" and other organizations are mere window dressing for actual political pressure cookers. But, their activities, and the activities of similar groups on both sides of the aisle, in their attempts to circumvent restrictions, will have the courts defining the words I type as a monetary contribution.

I never understood tax exempt status for religious organizations anyway. Buisness is buisness, and if you get down to brass and tacks, churches don't really cost much to run, just to decorate.

I never understood tax exempt status for religious organizations anyway. Buisness is buisness, and if you get down to brass and tacks, churches don't really cost much to run, just to decorate.

You've never run a church. The construction costs alone are rather staggering, even for a fairly plain and simple building.

I never understood tax exempt status for religious organizations anyway. Buisness is buisness, and if you get down to brass and tacks, churches don't really cost much to run, just to decorate.Ah, but they cost a lot to run when they're acting as multimedia propaganda broadcasters--and I mean propaganda in the widest possible way, not strictly politically. I figure that if you're broadcasting via satellite, you're not a church anymore--you're a business, and you ought to be treated as such.

I never understood tax exempt status for religious organizations anyway. Buisness is buisness, and if you get down to brass and tacks, churches don't really cost much to run, just to decorate.
The church itself may not cost much to run (well in minnesota thoes old catholic stone churches are a bitch to heat...)
But there is usualy a lot more associated with the church in general (again specialy catholic) then just running the church

In this area at least you often see associated private schools which are partialy funded by the church.

Not to mention the amount of money that often go to charity
(while I am no big fan of organized religion)

A lot of money passing through their hands does get used for good causes

Ah, but they cost a lot to run when they're acting as multimedia propaganda broadcasters--and I mean propaganda in the widest possible way, not strictly politically. I figure that if you're broadcasting via satellite, you're not a church anymore--you're a business, and you ought to be treated as such.
Actually, I think that if you're talking about political candidates, voting, elections, or which way you should vote on a political issue, then you're a political action committee, not a church. If you're vetting Supreme Court candidates, you're a political action committee, not a church.

If I stick to religious sermons and Biblical citations and don't intrude on politics, I could have 100 satellite channels and still be a church.

I like that. Back when I was a churchgoing man, one of my favorite scriptures came from the apostle Paul--can't remember exactly where--but it said "Make it your aim to mind your own business and do good works with your hands." Always thought more churches ought to focus on that one a bit more.

If we all minded our own business, none of us would be here posting our views. Bad news for Jolt! Why even have the internet, media or anything else? Let's just all tape our mouths, that way there will never be any more disagreements, ever. :p

Who would like to be the first volunteer and set the example for all the rest of us? By the way, I'll go last! :p

If we all minded our own business, none of us would be here posting our views. Bad news for Jolt! Why even have the internet, media or anything else? Let's just all tape our mouths, that way there will never be any more disagreements, ever. :p
Pardon me if I disagree with you and say that the way I read the scripture, Paul is saying that we shouldn't be getting involved in the decisions others make about their personal lives, at least not without invitation.

Of course, I'm not a churchgoing man anymore, so I'm free to take or leave Paul's advice as I see fit.

I never understood tax exempt status for religious organizations anyway. Buisness is buisness, and if you get down to brass and tacks, churches don't really cost much to run, just to decorate.
It costs more than you think, when you figure out how much stuff a church does. My church doesn't just open it's doors on Sundays, we have things going on for the community all week, meals, afterschool programs, mothers day out, missions meetings, ect.

I never understood tax exempt status for religious organizations anyway. Buisness is buisness, and if you get down to brass and tacks, churches don't really cost much to run, just to decorate.

Ah, but the church is not a business. The amount of money and time that most churches invest in the community is rather substantial.

You know, I say go ahead and revoke the tax exempt status for churches. You'll see parisohers' wallets flying open to make up for the loss. I bet churches as a whole would have greater income if there was no tax-exempt status.

Besides, a lot would be tax exempt anyway, as many churches donate to various charities, soup kitchens, etc.

You know, I say go ahead and revoke the tax exempt status for churches. You'll see parisohers' wallets flying open to make up for the loss. I bet churches as a whole would have greater income if there was no tax-exempt status.

Besides, a lot would be tax exempt anyway, as many churches donate to various charities, soup kitchens, etc.
I think you underestamate the ammount of land and property churches own or have responsability's for

Its not just services taxes that they would be responsable for ...

Ugh . . . religiocrats.

Enter Dr. Dobson.

*Goddistan punches him in the face and runs away*

EDIT:

*Goddistan feels bad and comes back to apologize.*

I think you underestamate the ammount of land and property churches own or have responsability's for

Its not just services taxes that they would be responsable for ...
Admittantly, I am not an accountant and don't understand a lot about taxes as it is. Sure, all the property and whatnot would be taxed, but wouldn't donations to charities count for something?

Admittantly, I am not an accountant and don't understand a lot about taxes as it is. Sure, all the property and whatnot would be taxed, but wouldn't donations to charities count for something?
Theoredicaly but there would be a LOT of money in property taxes

I am not sure claiming charity donations would make up anywhere neer the taxes they would pay

That's the point about churches doing a lot with the money they receive.

However, anyone who says religion should stay out of politics(or public life) clearly doesn't understand religion very well.

Religion is once everything is boiled down a set of beliefs and behaviors that those who follow/subscribe believe result in ultimate good (heaven, nirvana, etc...) It is also based on the absurd notion that people want the most good possible hence the following of said beliefs and behaviors. Hence anyone following a religion believes they know how to get what you want even if you don't know you want it. In that sense it is the obligation of religion to "intrude" on public life. For the current and former Christians look at the example of Christ calling the pharisees vipers. Or Peter refusing to follow the order of the Jewish chief priest who was in a sense also a civil official to not preach. Religion has the duty to "intrude" any time the public is not acting in what is believed to be it's best interest.

Now what makes America great, is you don't have to pay attention to the intrusion. Any religion that takes itself seriously is obligated to shout at the top of it's lungs when something is wrong with society and to call society back to the right path. But thanks to the founding fathers you can ignore the shouting if you choose. Listen or not the religions are just fulfilling their beliefs and shouldn't be taxed. just tax the pastors that way nobody can profit off of it.

It's about damn time. (http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/11/29/focusonthefamily.irs.ap/index.html)


Now, political cynic that I am, I don't expect the IRS to actually do anything about the complaint, but I'm still glad it's been made.

Yay! Finally!