When Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR) was running for the Republican nomination, many Southern Baptist preachers received "official looking" anonymous letters prior-warning them that if they in any way tried to sway support for Huckabee in the pulpit that they would be subject to loosing their tax-exempt status from the IRS. The Republican nomination has been settled and now a legitimate violation of the IRS statutes has been discovered.
The IRS states the standard clearly:
To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates. . .
Political activities are defined as follows:
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. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violation of this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise tax.
Certain activities or expenditures may not be prohibited depending on the facts and circumstances. For example, certain voter education activities (including the presenting public forums and publishing voter education guides) conducted in a non-partisan manner do not constitute prohibited political campaign activity.
In addition, other activities intended to encourage people to participate in the electoral process, such as voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, would not constitute prohibited political campaign activity if conducted in a non-partisan manner. On the other hand, voter education or registration activities with evidence of bias that: (a) would favor one candidate over another; (b) oppose a candidate in some manner; or (c) have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates, will constitute prohibited participation or intervention.
Below is a video of a "sermon" given at the church in which Barack Obama has been a member for approximately 20 years-Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, IL. In this video, the "church" clearly violates the guidelines outlined by the IRS.
It is obviously time for a knock on the door from the IRS. Where are those demands now?
WARNING: This video contains strong, offensive language and material. Furthermore, it in no way reflects the teachings of the Christian religion.
If you have trouble viewing this video, click here.
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ref:http://jonathanturley.org/2008/03/14/rev-jeremiah-wrights-church-may-have-tax-problems/
3 comments:
And we find it amazing that Obama won't properly acknowledge the National Anthem, wear a flag pin or say God Bless America? And his wife is for the FIRST time proud of her country, because her husband is running? According to the news guys, BO is now renouncing this quack, but my question is WHY NOW? He's been spewing this bile for years and BO has been a member of his congregation for just as long. Not only are these comments by this um "pastor" (and I wonder) vile, they seem to have some sedition tied to them. Added to the tax issues....there's real problems here.
Imagine if a White Republican had said these things!
This is disturbing on many levels but I'll point out 2.
1. The hypocrisy here of the IRS.
2. When are churches going to stop letting money determine what they should and should not do? Are we to vote for our pocket books or for the good for our country? Promotions the same, pocket book - or what we know God would have us to do.
I can't envision a white anybody saying such racist things.
Things don't change though unless there is a huge outcry. Kind of like the great Immigration debate.. This Issue needs to be pushed until it becomes a Hot Button issue with the People. Dugg,Stumbled and Delicious.
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