Discussion: GOP Bill Would Allow Churches To Endorse Political Candidates, Keep Tax-Free Status

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FIFY, you worthless piece of nakedly partisan shit.

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Thanks. I didn’t even know where to start.

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Damn! What happened to the SEPARATION of church and state?

These poor sap suckers have got to result to violating the U. S. Constitution, in order to remain in power!

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How to refute this fool’s argument, like a mosquito in the nudist colony, “Where to begin?”

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I have no problems with churches making political endorsements… as long as they are willing to start paying taxes.

Can’t be above the government and below the government at the same time guys.

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I’m actually fine with this. The more these fucked up christian churches get infused with the poison of GOP, the more quickly they’ll die off.

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Dear Republicans

You always support Judges who characterize themselves as “originalists”. Those self-identified Judges say that courts must look to the text of the Constitution, or the words of the Founding Fathers to find support for Constitutional authority for questioned acts by the Government. Did those Founding Fathers ever say churches had a right of free speech?? If so, please tell us where? It is probably in the same place where no right of free speech for corporations
was ever stated until Scalia, Alito, et al made it up in Citizens United!!!

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The bill specifically forbids the IRS from spending money to enforce the law against “a church, or a convention or association of churches”…

I understand the bill is titled, “The Jay Sekulow Act of 2017”.

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Just get rid of the tax exemption for churches, synagogues, mosques, etc. Groups that want to remain tax-free can organize as a non-profit that happens to do religious services. This nonsense of ‘my freedom of religion gives me the right not to pay taxes’ is madness.

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“I believe that churches have a right of free speech and an opportunity to talk about positions and issues that are relevant to their faith,” said Rep. Jim Renacci, R-Ohio."

They certainly do…and they trade that for tax exempt status, which they absolutely have ZERO right to. The question is whether they should have both at the same time, so you can shove your obfuscation down your dickhole and enjoy the UTI, ya fucking twit.

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I agree, and that should include ALL taxes: income, property, sales, etc. No exemptions.

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“Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio, says the law has been enforced unevenly.
“Some churches, including my own, have been very concerned about appearing political in any way shape or form,” Tiberi said. “Churches I went to that were primarily in Democrat areas, that I would go to because I had a Democrat district, the local candidates on the Sunday mornings before the election would be introduced, would speak from the pulpit about the campaign and why the congregation should vote for them.””

That’s so incredibly believable!

/facepalm

Everything…and i mean EVERYTHING…boils down to cultural resentment propaganda for them at this point. EVERYTHING.

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I think the larger denominations would do just fine without tax exempt status—once they started allowing corporate sponsors and advertising.
“Todays sermon sponsored by Westinghouse: building safe and efficient nuclear plants to combat warming IS doing God’s work”
“Welcome to the summer NIKE footrace. Healthy bodies need healthy feet, and good support keeps you from having to rely on God’s grace for medical care later.”
“Welcome to the McDonald’s Catholic Day Care center, and remember: If you’re not comfortable with worshiping Mary, McDonald’s will match you with a McDonald’s parish in a compatible denomination”

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This is probably a NOP in practice. Church leaders who want to push a political position already do that quite effectively.

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“All please rise for a reading from the Book of Sig Sauer…”

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“Churches I went to that were primarily in Democrat areas, that I would go to
because I had a Democrat district, the local candidates on the Sunday mornings before the election would be introduced, would speak from the pulpit about the campaign and why the congregation should vote for them.”

Names and dates, you liar.
Democratic, you moron.
Did the churches invite all the candidates in a race? It matters, you clenched sphincter.

Maybe your unnamed “very concerned about appearing political in any way shape or form” churches had it right. Go tell your GOP buddies to give the IRS more money to enforce all of the tax code. It will reduce the budget deficit if you do.

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”The bill doesn’t mention other types of non-profit groups, or even synagogues or mosques, said Nick Little of the Center for Inquiry, which promotes secularism. ‘All they care about is the Christian groups’…”

Archie: "G-d made one true religion, Edith, which he named after his son, Christian – or ‘Christ’, for short.”

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Churches should have the right to endorse political candidates and still keep their tax-free status

Ummmmm…

No.

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Coming soon to a country near you: Canon — at least it ain’t Sharia — Law, with Franklin Graham and James Imhofe as The Lawgivers.

The Good Ole Days are comin’ back, I tell ya.

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