[Home]  [Headlines]  [Latest Articles]  [Latest Comments]  [Post]  [Sign-in]  [Mail]  [Setup]  [Help] 

Status: Not Logged In; Sign In

21 days left till BASEL III is implemented. VIDEO EXPLANATION

China’s bottom half holds twice the wealth of America’s.

China’s extreme weather is leaving devastation across multiple provinces

Salton Sea is emitting foul-smelling hydrogen sulfide gas

Will Treasury Secretary Bessent's Past (Soros) Come Back To Haunt Him Today?

BBC Under Fire for CENSORING Gaza Medic Documentary

US is Agreement Incapable

Blow to Israeli Intelligence. taping Israelis in bathrooms

“They have 500 mRNA shots in the pipeline.”

A US federal judge has DENIED Gavin Newsom's request to stop Trump from using the National Guard in Los Angeles.

Have You Noticed That Seismic Activity Has Been Going Nuts All Over The Globe

The Vax was meant to CAUSE cancer.... listen to this - this clip from RFK Jr's site

CNN Immediately Cuts Off Panelist Who Tells the Truth About the LA Riots

Army Secretary declares war on the military industrial complex

Former Israeli PM Threatens U.S. Will Get 'A Re-Run Of 9-11' If It Doesn't Fight Israel's Wars

7 Examples Of The “Mostly Peaceful” Los Angeles Riots Becoming Even More “Peaceful”

Biden Admin and ActBlue Funded Group Behind Abolish ICE Protests in LA

Murderers, rapists, gang members: ICE busts 12 of LA's 'worst' illegal alien criminals amid riots

LA Mayor Karen Bass Threatens Feds: Withdraw From LA Or the Violence Will Escalate –

Woman points gun at police and finds out

EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Ronny Jackson Accuses Biden Doctor Kevin O’Connor Of Sexual Misconduct

WHAT YOU’RE WITNESSING IN LOS ANGELES ISN’T JUST UNREST—IT’S MORAL COLLAPSE

Anna Paulina Luna Exposes the Guy Behind the Anti-ICE Riots

Mike Huckabee Working To Keep Netanyahu in Power

Israeli Military and Israeli-Backed Gang Shoot Aid Seekers in Gaza, Killing 14

Only 68 Building Permits Issued for Pacific Palisades After Wildfires Destroyed 6800 Structures

Violent Rioters Fire Off Exploding Projectiles at Police Horses Use Fireworks and Explosives to Attack Police

ICE Just Shattered Records With One Massive Operation That Has Democrats Fuming

Nolte: Insurrectionist Democrats Plan Another Summer of Blue City-Riots

Violent riots have now been reported in over 30 American cities. Heres a full list:


Religion
See other Religion Articles

Title: Legal Group Tells IRS to Back Off Intimidating Churches
Source: [None]
URL Source: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/11/292006e.asp
Published: Dec 1, 2006
Author: Jeff Johnson
Post Date: 2006-12-01 10:47:04 by richard9151
Keywords: None
Views: 283
Comments: 7

Let me see...... First, these so-called churches incorporate under the rules of the state (for rax deductability of YOUR donations, supposedly but that has nothing to do with it), then they REQUIRE that all their ministers accept licensure from the state to preach the word of god (Mammon), and these fine churches REFUSE to preform ANY marriage without a marriage license issued by the state. Then, they complain about what they are told they can and can not preach?! I wonder, do any of these people understand contracts or not?!

Legal Group Tells IRS to Back Off Intimidating Churches

By Jeff Johnson

November 29, 2006

(AgapePress) - A religious liberties group says it has had enough of the Internal Revenue Service bullying pastors, and wants those pastors and churches to know that the U.S. Constitution trumps IRS regulations about what can and can't be said from the pulpit.

The Washington, DC-based Becket Fund for Religious Liberty says the First Amendment -- which forbids the government from prohibiting free speech or establishing an official religion -- take precedence over regulations established by the IRS concerning political speech from the pulpit of a house of worship. Anthony Picarello, vice president and general counsel for the Becket Fund, says the first mistake most churches make when they are confronted with an IRS investigation is keeping quiet about it. He recommends they go public.

"Make sure that the world knows about what's going on," he suggests. "I think that's one of the best approaches that a church can take when it's confronted with this sort of investigation." The attorney believes the federal agency does not have the resources to fight drawn-out battles against churches and cannot afford the kind of negative publicity such cases generate.

Picarello says groups like Americans United for Separation of Church and State frequently file complaints against churches when their pastors address politics from the pulpit. Those churches, he says, should call his group.

"What we've taken a stand on is the ability of any minister of any faith to preach on any topic -- political or otherwise, short of an incitement to violence -- from the pulpit," he explains. "That is precisely the kind of freedom that the First Amendment protects."

The Becket Fund spokesman says if the IRS pursues penalizing churches, synagogues, or mosques for what their ministers say from the pulpit, "then the IRS is going to have a fight on its hands." He says his firm will defend any pastor's statement from the pulpit that does not involve an incitement to commit violence.


Jeff Johnson, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.

Post Comment   Private Reply   Ignore Thread  


TopPage UpFull ThreadPage DownBottom/Latest

Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 3.

#2. To: richard9151 (#0)

I agree with the pastor. Pastors should be able to say whatever they want from the pulpit.

OTOH, I don't think churches or pastors should be tax exempt in the first place...

bluedogtxn  posted on  2006-12-01   13:54:15 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#3. To: bluedogtxn (#2)

tax exempt in the first place

The moment that they contract with the state they should be taxable just like everyone else who enters into such contracts. I totally agree with you; and I should point out, that these ministers, who accept licensure from the state, do pay taxes. The corporate churches do not, but that is to be understood, so that they have an excuse to contract!

richard9151  posted on  2006-12-02   13:22:44 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


Replies to Comment # 3.

        There are no replies to Comment # 3.


End Trace Mode for Comment # 3.

TopPage UpFull ThreadPage DownBottom/Latest


[Home]  [Headlines]  [Latest Articles]  [Latest Comments]  [Post]  [Sign-in]  [Mail]  [Setup]  [Help]