That's what we've gotta be honest enough to remember! USA has been in political gridlock since the fallout from Obama put new wind in the GOP's sails. The Tea Party was a tsunami. We could, perhaps, wonder how the Democratic Party "lost it" after Obama, or maybe the answer was just too much change for many Americas. Besides the ACA, and …
That's what we've gotta be honest enough to remember! USA has been in political gridlock since the fallout from Obama put new wind in the GOP's sails. The Tea Party was a tsunami. We could, perhaps, wonder how the Democratic Party "lost it" after Obama, or maybe the answer was just too much change for many Americas. Besides the ACA, and the broad coalition the Dems have corralled to advance minority causes, and let's not forget its humane, less religious approach to issues - all that has generated a huge reactionary response.
I think you have a real point about esp the Evangelicals et al who are fighting tooth and nail abt RvW issues, RGPTQ plus. This has been preached from the pews for over a generation (or two) and organized into the GOP which has now, under MAGA, destroyed itself. Organized religion in America has been in decline for some time, and I'm sure this latest is not helping its cause. Europe is light years ahead on getting out from under the organized religion umbrella.
Is there not some requirement a 501(c)3 shielded organization avoid political activity? I had always (perhaps erroneously) thought there was. Would such a requirement answer to the present needs to some extent?
Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office." Looks like Gary covered it. Same might be said for Black Churches with the Souls to the Polls campaigns or did the Republican states nix that a couple years ago. Well, if corporations can throw in their "two bits", why not churches too?
Corporations are taxed though, so one expects a tax free status should depend on following the prohibition or one has become a religiously affiliated taxable political action organization, not strictly a faith organization. I'm not opposed to just taxing all religious organizations, but it seems like there should be a way to reserve the tax free status for some... although given the abuses maybe that bird has flown.
Yes, but it is rarely enforced. A 501(c)3 can have their status revoked but how do you revoke the status of the Catholic Church, which is so powerful worldwide?
Tax them! Tax whichever branch or local chapel or cathedral or parish or congregational unit decided to engage in objectively political vs religious (or religious and political if they want their tax free status preserved) activity.
May it be so! What a waste of energy and resources. I’m amazed at the waste of resources in the proliferation of churches on every corner, plus the monumental shrines here and there. Pfft.
Absolutely. My husband's nice was fund raising for a new church to be built near where I live. I pointed out that there were numerous churches within a half mile of the intended site, an old school. It opened briefly before shutting down. Where did the money go?
Some churchgoers that I know and hear about are a different breed. Not related to Jesus verbiage that I used to hear, all in red. Forgotten these days.
That's what we've gotta be honest enough to remember! USA has been in political gridlock since the fallout from Obama put new wind in the GOP's sails. The Tea Party was a tsunami. We could, perhaps, wonder how the Democratic Party "lost it" after Obama, or maybe the answer was just too much change for many Americas. Besides the ACA, and the broad coalition the Dems have corralled to advance minority causes, and let's not forget its humane, less religious approach to issues - all that has generated a huge reactionary response.
Dying things have enormous final energy. Organized religion is one of those dangerous cornered animals.
I think you have a real point about esp the Evangelicals et al who are fighting tooth and nail abt RvW issues, RGPTQ plus. This has been preached from the pews for over a generation (or two) and organized into the GOP which has now, under MAGA, destroyed itself. Organized religion in America has been in decline for some time, and I'm sure this latest is not helping its cause. Europe is light years ahead on getting out from under the organized religion umbrella.
Removing their 501(c)3 shield should be a no-brainer, and would help curb this gross violation of the separation between church & state.
That was always a way to help "uphold morality" but really it's an intimate connection between civil and religious institutions.
Is there not some requirement a 501(c)3 shielded organization avoid political activity? I had always (perhaps erroneously) thought there was. Would such a requirement answer to the present needs to some extent?
Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office." Looks like Gary covered it. Same might be said for Black Churches with the Souls to the Polls campaigns or did the Republican states nix that a couple years ago. Well, if corporations can throw in their "two bits", why not churches too?
Corporations are taxed though, so one expects a tax free status should depend on following the prohibition or one has become a religiously affiliated taxable political action organization, not strictly a faith organization. I'm not opposed to just taxing all religious organizations, but it seems like there should be a way to reserve the tax free status for some... although given the abuses maybe that bird has flown.
Yes, but it is rarely enforced. A 501(c)3 can have their status revoked but how do you revoke the status of the Catholic Church, which is so powerful worldwide?
Tax them! Tax whichever branch or local chapel or cathedral or parish or congregational unit decided to engage in objectively political vs religious (or religious and political if they want their tax free status preserved) activity.
May it be so! What a waste of energy and resources. I’m amazed at the waste of resources in the proliferation of churches on every corner, plus the monumental shrines here and there. Pfft.
Church steeples are often billboards saying, abuse and graft here. Not always, but too often, check out Gateway church in Dallas.
Absolutely. My husband's nice was fund raising for a new church to be built near where I live. I pointed out that there were numerous churches within a half mile of the intended site, an old school. It opened briefly before shutting down. Where did the money go?
Some churchgoers that I know and hear about are a different breed. Not related to Jesus verbiage that I used to hear, all in red. Forgotten these days.