Incorporated Churches BEWARE.

I think not, Because we'd open our churches and individual members up to an even greater financial risk than we have now.

 

I seriously doubt that this is a true statement.

OH, NO!!! THIS IS MY POST # 666

 

Let's cancel our church insurance as well then because it's not scripturally mandated either!

 

Come Sheckels, Come Shackels!

Thanks ------Bart

 

Jailminister, I wasn't doubting the whole story or even you. Just the one statmment that the law would prohibit churches and ministers from saying anything within 30/60 days of a primary/election.

 

In the e-mail he went on to say that if a church or a minister says anything within this 60 day period, that they would be in violtion of this law. The only way I see out of this is to disincorporate the churches and get out of the 501c-3 status.

What is your thought?

My thought is that if a church starts acting like a political action committee, then it should refile its 501c-3 status as a charitable organization instead of as a religious organization. Calling oneself a "church" does not a "church" make.

 

No, that's not it at all. Such a charitable organization would be allowed to be tax exempt. But the 501c-3 status are there to protect us, the folks who give to these groups. They are required to tell us what kind of group they are, and they are expected to act like that sort of group. If they're acting like political action committes, then they can continue to remain tax exempt, but must file as a political fundraising organization, so we can plainly see what kind of organization they are.

Contrary to your assertion, the Governmnet here isn't saying don't get involved in political discussion, it's saying don't make political discussion your prime purpose. Otherwise, you fail to be a church and start becoming a ploitical organization.

 

I don't believe it is the job of government to tell churches what their prime purpose is.

 

I found this at a site called the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workerss . I found this and similar at other places and they don't even hint about churches or ministers or individual Christians practicing their freedom of speech.

 

Incorporation protects more then the money of a church. It also protects the members of the church. If you want to be a political group making political commentary don't start a church!

 

I think that the following is a little clearer explanation of what the organization actually says about the political activity of churches:

"The Internal Revenue Code does not restrict churches' right to speak out on the moral and political issues of the day, but it does prohibit churches from speaking out on the qualifications of candidates for public office.(1) In exchange for receipt of tax-exempt status, I.R.C. § 501(c)(3) absolutely prohibits churches and other tax-exempt organizations from campaigning for or against a candidate for public office:"

 

Listen to what you are saying.
Okay..... up. It still sounds reasonable.

What is wrong with a church speaking out for and against someone who is detrimental to us.
Nothing. There IS, however, something wrong with churches making it their main focus to endorse specific political candidates as a matter of course.

How dare the government tell us what to say and what not to say.
The government isn't. The government is saying that if you're acting like a political organization, then you must file for tax exempt status as a political organization so that everyone knows what you are.

 

Then if a man wants to start a church of prostitution, he can be allowed to? Instead of getting a sermon, you can make a donation and get a prostitute? Nope, sorry, that's been tested in the courts and falied.