Are churches looking for a showdown with the IRS?

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TheSiege

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2004
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The better question is, why are churches/religions tax exempt in the first place?
 

Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
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The better question is, why are churches/religions tax exempt in the first place?

I think it goes back to England and how various kings tried to punish the church with taxation.


*sigh* Tax exempt status is a privilege in exchange for agreeing to a specific set of rules. If you choose to defy those rules, you may do so, you just no longer are allowed special privilege.

Rights do not work that way.
 

TheSiege

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2004
3,918
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And yes rights can be limited, its why you are not allowed to falsely yell "FIRE" in a crowded area causing a stampede.
 

moonbogg

Lifer
Jan 8, 2011
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They can say whatever they want, no one's stopping them from saying anything that anyone else can say.

They just have to play by the same rules as everyone else then.

Agreed. But wait, this didn't kill the thread? It should have. Churches are based on bullshit. Its bad enough they don't pay taxes. The government is rewarding them for being based on bullshit, that should be bad enough. Now they want to use their bullshit to influence politics? Just bulldoze them already.
 

xBiffx

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2011
8,232
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Agreed. But wait, this didn't kill the thread? It should have. Churches are based on bullshit. Its bad enough they don't pay taxes. The government is rewarding them for being based on bullshit, that should be bad enough. Now they want to use their bullshit to influence politics? Just bulldoze them already.

All the same applies to unions.
 

Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
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And yes rights can be limited, its why you are not allowed to falsely yell "FIRE" in a crowded area causing a stampede.

When can political speech be limited?

When can political speech be limited behind closed doors, and on private property?

We have a right to peacefully assemble.
We have a right to religion.
We have a right to discuss political topics.

And all without being punished by the government.


Agreed. But wait, this didn't kill the thread? It should have.

Churches have been exempt from paying taxes for 1,000+ years.

As stated before, this is old english law, which our system is based on.
 
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Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
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I want to make sure I got this right.

Tax exemption is NOT A RIGHT


If someone is going to be taxed for excersing their rights, lets start by taxing voters, gays and abortions.

Maybe tax gays at a much higher rate then heterosexuals?
 

Londo_Jowo

Lifer
Jan 31, 2010
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londojowo.hypermart.net
Let me say this one more time.

Churches/religious entities should stay out of politics, if they chose to enter the ring their tax exempt status should be revoked.........period!
 

Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
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Let me say this one more time.
Churches/religious entities should stay out of politics, if they chose to enter the ring their tax exempt status should be revoked.........period!

Where was "speech" limited?

What does speech have to do with tax-exempt dollars collected for a non-political purpose?

Once again, you would restrict rights based on certain behavior?

Political speech is a right. The government should not be allowed to punish someone for exercising their rights.
 

Londo_Jowo

Lifer
Jan 31, 2010
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londojowo.hypermart.net
Once again, you would restrict rights based on certain behavior?

Political speech is a right. The government should not be allowed to punish someone for exercising their rights.

Yes, political speech is a right. However, the separation of church and state is spelled out and is the law of the land so the two can not be intertwined.

Too bad you loose out the the law of the land yet again. Must suck to have your ass chapped so much.
 

artvscommerce

Golden Member
Jul 27, 2010
1,145
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Once again, you would restrict rights based on certain behavior?

Political speech is a right. The government should not be allowed to punish someone for exercising their rights.

So you think we should have the right to scream "FIRE" in a crowded area?

You haven't given any example of anyone being punished for exercising their rights. That makes no sense at all in this context.
 
Nov 29, 2006
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When can political speech be limited?

When can political speech be limited behind closed doors, and on private property?

We have a right to peacefully assemble.
We have a right to religion.
We have a right to discuss political topics.

And all without being punished by the government.




Churches have been exempt from paying taxes for 1,000+ years.

As stated before, this is old english law, which our system is based on.

How again are churches being punished by the government? To me it looks like they are benefitting from government by not being taxes. While still free to discuss politics in their sermons.

Ill glady not talk politics ever again to not have to pay taxes.
 

Ryland

Platinum Member
Aug 9, 2001
2,810
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Churches have been exempt from paying taxes for 1,000 years. This is old english common law.

What dont you understand and that?

When will you understand that we ARE NOT IN ENGLAND. Just because something has been that way for <insert stupidly long time> doesnt meant that it will be that way in the future. Heck, I guess you dont do any investments or you would know that.

The government set down a series of rules which dictate certain things, who can have a license, whether alcohol can be sold, etc including who cannot play in the political arena. Seems simple enough that if you want to play in the political arena then you cant be a tax exempt organization because then you are using non-taxed earnings to support a political candidate.
 

Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
18,811
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Yes, political speech is a right. However, the separation of church and state is spelled out and is the law of the land so the two can not be intertwined.

Too bad you loose out the the law of the land yet again. Must suck to have your ass chapped so much.

Separation of church and state prevents the government from endorsing or establishing a centralized religion.

Nothing more, nothing less.


So you think we should have the right to scream "FIRE" in a crowded area?

We are dealing with political speech.


When will you understand that we ARE NOT IN ENGLAND. Just because something has been that way for <insert stupidly long time> doesnt meant that it will be that way in the future. Heck, I guess you dont do any investments or you would know that.

You do realize our concept of no taxation without representation comes from the magna carta, right?

Are you going to give up your right to vote?


The government set down a series of rules which dictate certain things, who can have a license, whether alcohol can be sold, etc including who cannot play in the political arena.

Licenses and alcohol are a privilege.

Entering the political arena is a right.
 
Feb 16, 2005
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ahhh poor, poor deluded, dehydrated (get that tugging job), deliberately dense toothless hiker.

Throwing strawman after strawman at the logical, and legal reasoning why a religious entity needs to refrain from entering into the political foray, yet, confoundingly, and willfully ignorant in understanding why it is.

Again, it needs to be said, it is a crime against humanity that you have procreated and spread your 'intellect' onto your offspring. Hopefully they are smarter than a box of crackers and realize how fucking stupid and innane your 'logic and reasoning' is.

Go play in traffic toothless, go taunt a den of rattlesnakes, test your balance skills on the south rim of the Grand Canyon, do anything but post here.
 

ivwshane

Lifer
May 15, 2000
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I vote this thread as the dumbest thread for 2014! All those in favor say, "yea".
 

ivwshane

Lifer
May 15, 2000
33,511
17,007
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Toothless has set a pretty low bar, not sure if this meets some of his other 2014 stupifying, mind-numbing, brain-dead, self-ownage threads.

By all means post up the threads you think are dumber because I don't remember anything this stupid.