Comments on: “religio-crazies” Should Lose Tax Exempt Status, Do You Agree?

By: claudiac

claudiac — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 03:34:30 +0000

Sorry your article is too long for me to read.
If a church or organization decides to get political, it should lose tax exempt status. The moment a reverend steps up inside the church and starts telling the church-goers who to vote for, they should lose their tax exempt status as per the law.

By: Joshua H

Joshua H — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 03:16:53 +0000

My opinion on this is that yes, I believe the Black Theology “church” that Obama attended should have it’s tax exempt status revoked, since its (then) pastor made political remarks specifically naming Clinton during the Democratic primaries. Politics from the pulpit is expressly forbidden as a condition for tax exempt status. And, no, it isn’t “freedom of speech”; it’s a rule churches must adhere to.
That church ignored that rule.
Edit: By the way, to the poster above, Wright’s church also expressly named and supported politically, from the church pulpit, Barack Obama.
Like you said, supporting a candidate from the pulpit.

By: reuster

reuster — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 02:20:15 +0000

I don’t think religious organizations should be tax exempt at all. There are two reasons for that: one, it leads to abuses such as the ones you’ve mentioned, in which religion is used to gain tax exemption for politics; and two and more important, it discourages legitimate churches from supporting political candidates because they’re afraid of losing their tax exempt status, which is in my opinion a de facto abrogation of freedom of speech. It’s precisely because of issues like these that we have separation of church and state.

By: TLE_MGR

TLE_MGR — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:21:31 +0000

You are Lost dude.
I Love the USA. I’m not leaving alive….

By: atsirk73

atsirk73 — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:10:08 +0000

I agree, but then who would determine who was “crazy”?

By: jdw

jdw — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:12:22 +0000

AMEN! (pun intended) I agree!

By: clocknek

clocknek — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:34:23 +0000

If find your link between being religiist and being crazy very disturbing. I think you need some help with that.

By: another_

another_ — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:32:39 +0000

Religion should of never had a tax exempt status in the first place.
It is a business.

By: Ethel M

Ethel M — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:23:37 +0000

Churches should pay taxes like every other business.

By: daniel m

daniel m — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:27:28 +0000

This so called right wing Christians believe in murder for war profits, and stealing our tax dollars and they lie to us.
Good view on the subjects.

By: Tenacity

Tenacity — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:09:53 +0000

I kind of wonder if groups like Focus on the Family have been getting away with what they do because we have had a Republican Justice Department for the last seven years.

By: stuff.mc

stuff.mc — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:01:16 +0000

Religion and State should be separate. Like everyone always told me it was.
Religion should lose it’s “SUPER” status with the government. Treat it like any other standard organization. And tax it as such.

By: homegirl

homegirl — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:42:11 +0000

As a liberal Christian, it is very refreshing to see this post! Churches who openly endorse candidates should lose their tax exempt status. I believe that a complaint needs to be filed with the IRS, then there is an investigation, and then a resolution. Most churches who violate this seem to be right wing, as the liberal churches advocate the seperation of church and state (I am an ordained Baptist minister, and my church certainly does). For the hateful response above against Jeremiah Wright’s church, it is ok to mention and criticize the current government in the church. I believe that is a good thing for churches–asking questions and encouraging the congregation to think intelligently on current events. It is specifically endorsing a candidate for office that is illegal.