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Title: Dallas-Fort Worth ministries, Hinn and Copeland, being investigated
Source:
Dallas Daily News
URL Source: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon ... 07dnmetfinances.1e4809a1b.html
Published: Nov 7, 2007
Author: By SAM HODGES / The Dallas Morning News
Post Date: 2007-11-07 21:57:04 by Zipporah
Keywords: None
Views: 731
Comments: 23
Dallas-Fort Worth ministries, Hinn and Copeland, being investigated A U.S. senator is investigating the finances of a handful of well-known ministries, including two based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa and a ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, on Tuesday released letters he has written to Benny Hinn Ministries of Grapevine, Kenneth Copeland Ministries in the Wise County town of Newark, and four others. The letters ask for audited financial statements and information about executives' pay and benefits, including private jets. Mr. Grassley said the investigation was triggered by news reports and complaints from the public and will look at whether the ministries have abused their tax-exempt status. "The allegations involve governing boards that aren't independent and allow generous salaries and housing allowances and amenities such as private jets and Rolls-Royces," Mr. Grassley said. "I don't want to conclude that there's a problem, but I have an obligation to donors and the taxpayers to find out more. People who donated should have their money spent as intended and in adherence with the tax code." Mr. Hinn and Mr. Copeland are the leaders of their organizations and are well known from their programs on Irving-based Trinity Broadcasting Network. No one from Mr. Copeland's organization could be reached for comment. A spokesman for Mr. Hinn said the request for information was under review. Ministry watchdog groups hailed Mr. Grassley. "He's my hero," said Ole Anthony, founder of Trinity Foundation of Dallas, which has long investigated ministries that use television broadcasts to ask for money but provide little if any information on how donations are spent. Mr. Anthony said Trinity worked with Mr. Grassley's staff for the last two years and provided a "very, very complete data set" on certain ministries. The other subjects of Mr. Grassley's investigation are ministries led by David and Joyce Meyer of Fenton, Mo.; Randy and Paula White of Tampa, Fla.; Bishop Eddie Long of Lithonia, Ga.; and Creflo and Taffi Dollar of College Park, Ga. Many ministries join other nonprofits in filing Form 990 with the Internal Revenue Service, thus providing basic public information on revenues and expenditures. But others, including the ones targeted by Mr. Grassley, are organized as churches and claim exemption not only from paying taxes but from providing basic financial data. "Some of what's going on is just not what the government intended when they gave these tax exemptions," said Rusty Leonard, founder of Ministry Watch, a North Carolina group that grades ministries on financial transparency. Mr. Leonard said his group has sought information from all the ministries involved and has received cooperation only from the Meyers. Should the ministries not comply with Mr. Grassley's request for information, subpoenas are likely to be forthcoming, Mr. Leonard said. Kenneth Behr, president of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, predicted the ministries would cooperate but may not be able to satisfy the Senate Finance Committee or the IRS. "There's probably going to be transactions that are uncovered that possibly were taxable events," he said. "In that case, there's probably going to be fines." Mr. Grassley's five-page letter to Mr. Hinn asks, among other things, for details about a residence at 35 Ritz Cove in Dana Point, Calif. The six-page letter to Mr. Copeland and his wife, Gloria, asks about aircraft use, overseas bank accounts, mineral rights, and the relationship between various for-profit and nonprofit entities. Mr. Hinn has drawn controversy for his claims of faith healing, and Mr. Copeland's preaching of the "prosperity gospel" also has brought criticism. 05:39 AM CST on Wednesday, November 7, 2007
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#1. To: Zipporah (#0)
These folks have fleeced millions of dollars from the goober. Maybe they both deserved it? The war mongers are the ones that get me the most.
"Satan / Cheney in "08" And the witchhunt/fishing expedition begins.........this battle was fought and won by Dr. Scott in Californicate some 20 years ago, as I understand it. Next will be the demand to see names and addies of all who donate. One thing I noticed in reading or hearing what was in these letters was the continual use of the word 'charities' rather than churches or ministries.
The more I think about this, the funnier it gets. For an outfit that can't even patrol themselves/investigate themselves, let alone do proper oversight of the various government functions that are an actual part of their job assignments to think they should/need to take on another bogus 'oversight/investigative' job is just priceless. Imagine this: the GOPers and the Democraps, those great bastions of HIGH ETHICAL STANDARDS AND PERSONAL INTEGRITY AND RESPONSIBILITY WHO SO VALIANTLY AND UPRIGHTEOUGHLY HOLD HEARINGS AND BLATHER TO AND AMONGST THEMSELVES FOR PHOTO OP TIMES NOW PROPOSE TO BE THE ARBITERS OF RELIGION!!! Just imagine the likes of Wide Stance or Foolish Foley overseeing bedrooms [EDIT:] bathrooms, or boardrooms [/ edit]........imagine the likes of a Jefferson in charge of Church Offerings and/or Tithes and/or Donations. Imagine the likes of a Dominici or a Hilary in charge of what charities the various churches WILL maintain and support. And imagine Teddy the Swimmer in charge of the baptism founts! Just imagine these POORLY COMPENSATED , though HIGHLY ETHICAL MEN AND WOMEN OF PERSONAL INTEGRITY AND RESPONSIBILITY, PUBLIC SERVANTS SETTING SALARIES AND PERKS FOR MEN OF THE CLOTH, OR SETTING THE MENUS FOR THE BOARD MEETINGS OF VARIOUS SECTS. And just think---if they can determine whether a man or woman of the cloth can write a book or opinion and get paid for it, the US SANHEDRIN can establish what they will be paid. This new religious establishment will be damned near as thrilling as the [EDIT] sacrament of [/ edit] health care we are about to receive.[edit]
What is it the scripture says? ...from everyone who has been given much, much will be required
You will notice no "Israel First Churches" were targeted...ie John Hagee,Pat Robertson,Oral Robeerts etc
Throw up some SalmonNews, whenever you have the time. Thanks, cheers.
Actually Hinn and Copeland are dispensationalists not as outrageously so as those you mentioned.
OK I'll amend..... you will notice no political connected Israel First Churches were the target
But others, including the ones targeted by Mr. Grassley, are organized as churches and claim exemption not only from paying taxes but from providing basic financial data. The IRS lately has been looking more closely at Form 990 filings for tax-exempt organizations, in particular at compensation paid in excess of the fair market value of the services rendered, which is a way of syphoning off assets to insiders.
That works :P .. What is disturbing is once I heard Copeland say .. "As a believer, you have a right to make commands in the name of Jesus. Each time you stand on the Word, you are commanding God to a certain extent because it is His Word."
Really? .. That does bring to mind the issue with Oral Roberts Ministries/University.. havent heard much on this in the last few weeks..
It's been a problem with nonprofits in general. The IRS recently did a study of Form 990 compliance resulting in millions of dollars of penalties. A redesigned Form 990 is on tap for 2008 with expanded disclosures on compensation, benefits and expenses.
I think this Bennie Hinn fellow is extremely pro-Israel. Hinn is quite a character. He is from Palestine, he is a palestinian christian actually. and he supports the oppression of the Palestinians. Of course he lives the millionaire's life in a California mansion.
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Oh.. okay thx Getting a free ride for way too long ..
I'm a bit questioning of that type of thing also I hear from some christian preachers. we're not supposed to be humble before god they teach, we're supposed to be proud. I've seen Joel O'steen make statements like that. Luke Chapter 18 comes to mind - the lesson of the proud pharisee who follows all the rules and tithes, etc. and is proud & confident when he prays, and the tax collector who merely prays for mercy on himself who is a poor sinner. and jesus says that when judgement comes god will smile on the man who humbly confesses sins rather than the proud pharisee who speaks so highly of himself. the bible teaches that nothing the people do is really good in god's eyes. and the new (some call themselves dominion) christians are teaching people to be proud. 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
I believe so.......but do we want God judging or our version ofo the Sanhedrin and whateer laws they establish. These jokers can't even police themselves-- so what makes anyone think they are capable of policing something else? While I no doubt disagree with virtually all these people's idea of a religious ministry, I most certainly don't want feeble gubmint in charge of them--or of God! Gubmint has already established in their feeble brains that churches are charity organizations. I personally believe churches bargained with the devil when they went along with this tax exempt crap. Pisspoor bargainers. But I don't march to the same drumstick as a lot of others do.
I've tried listening to his programming at different times, but I can't hack all this 'amen this' and 'amen that' without even taking a pause.........it is just a word being spouted in somewhat the right place, as I see it--without actually thought or meaning going into the utterance. "Can I get an amen" drives me up the wall. Hell no! If you have to ask for it, your message ain't hitting home. Besides, who needs a distraction from what you are saying, or trying to. Another one that perturbs me to no end is altar calls...........coup-countin time--let's git all you sinners right up here front and center so the cameras can zoom in and show my effectiveness in gittin coup for God...........'now say this prayer'.........then go back in this room and get a list of do dos and don't dos! Jesus Christ didn't have altar calls. I haven't read yet where the apostles did either.
Oh yeah.......haven't you heard.......ministers are supposed to be as poor as the church mice they try to get rid of! I was listening the other night to someone discussing this and it was related that a minister had told the revenuers that he had his own car.......and they insisted he had to report as income the space it took to park HIS vehicle on CHURCH PROPERTY. While it's easy to get a laugh and a raised eyebrow, that sounds so much like what government would do. Did you ever listen to a hearing when the likes of Lawrence Summers rattled off during the Clinton administration? Or anyone from the IRS? The way they calculate things is unbelieable. Just to give you an idea: This person is a man; men get haircuts every 6 weeks--therefore, this is calculated as income you had--never mind you're bald as a cue ball! Don't own your house? That's OK, they'll convert rent to house payment values. Statistics show people eat out an average of 2xs a week---they will calculate that you had that amount of money......never mind you're allergic to everything in restaurant food and have to eat at home. AND, they also believe every man and woman in america is a crook because they don't love to pay taxes--and the more the better.
Did a quick search...Copeland is reportedly a 33rd degree Mason, and Hinn is associated with the Knights Templar, CIA, etc. Hinn is also a big-time Zionist. [have not read this yet:] http://www.watch.pair.com/bennyhinn.html .... The letters ask for audited financial statements and information about executives' pay and benefits, including private jets. Mr. Grassley said the investigation was triggered by *** "news reports and complaints from the public" and will look at whether the ministries have abused their tax-exempt status. "The allegations involve governing boards that aren't independent and allow generous salaries and housing allowances and amenities such as private jets and Rolls-Royces," Mr. Grassley said. "I don't want to conclude that there's a problem, but I have an obligation to donors and the taxpayers to find out more. People who donated should have their money spent as intended and in adherence with the tax code." ...... Many ministries join other nonprofits in filing Form 990 with the Internal Revenue Service, thus providing basic public information on revenues and expenditures. But others, including the ones targeted by Mr. Grassley, **** are organized as churches and claim exemption not only from paying taxes but from providing basic financial data. "Some of what's going on is just not what the government intended when they gave these tax exemptions," said Rusty Leonard, founder of Ministry Watch, a North Carolina group that grades ministries on financial transparency. ===================================== shoot, Copeland and Hinn are probably just designated change agents [What is the Hegelian Dialectic? http://nord.twu.net/acl/dialectic.html ] to bring the jurisdiction of the Noahide CorpUSA over legitimate churches, who HAVE NOT VOLUNTEERED TO BE CONTROLLED BY AND TO PAY TAXES TO THE STATE, and WHOSE MEMBERS MAY DEDUCT THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS REGARDLESS, and whom the government HAS NO JURISDICTION OVER....THE GOVERNMENT 'GAVE' THEM NOTHING....IT IS THEIRS BY RIGHT. This country was founded on Jesus Christ, and the spreading of the gospel. This government is the usurper. If the people who gave these false prophets money are upset with them now, they should take it up with Hinn and Copeland, and NOT drag the government into the affairs of the church. And they should learn their lesson, take their lumps, and accept it as punishment for not heeding Christ's warning to beware of false prophets and the leaven of the Pharisees. 1Cr 6:7 — Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather [suffer yourselves to] be defrauded? http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/1Cr/6/7.html Luk 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. Luk 17:4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear [thee, then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. Mat 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.... Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. God will repay: 1Th 4:6 — That no [man] go beyond and defraud his brother in [any] matter: because that the Lord [is] the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/1Th/4/6.html ================================================ More on the Form 990: "New Annual Electronic Filing Requirement for Small Tax-Exempt Organizations — e-Postcard (Form 990-N) Beginning in 2008, small tax-exempt organizations that previously were not required to file returns may be required to file an annual electronic notice, Form 990-N, Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) for Tax-Exempt Organizations not Required To File Form 990 or 990-EZ. This filing requirement applies to tax periods beginning after December 31, 2006. Organizations that do not file the notice will lose their tax-exempt status. Small tax-exempt organizations, whose gross receipts are normally $25,000 or less, are not required to file Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, or Form 990-EZ, Short Form Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. With the enactment of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA), these small tax-exempt organizations will now be required to file electronically Form 990-N, also known as the e-Postcard, with the IRS annually. Exceptions to this requirement include organizations that are included in a group return, private foundations required to file Form 990-PF, and section 509(a)(3) supporting organizations required to file Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. In addition, this filing requirement does not apply to churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches. The IRS began mailing educational letters in July 2007 notifying small tax-exempt organizations that they may be required to file the e-Postcard. The IRS is developing an electronic filing system (there will be no paper form) for the e-Postcard and will publicize filing procedures when the system is completed and ready for use......." www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=169250,00.html I wrote about the natural exemption of churches according to the IRS's own rules on the thread FAGGOTS THE GOVERNATOR GIVES THEM CALIFORNIA http://freedom4um.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=65084 . They may have gotten wind of a chink in their armor....I wonder what would happen if Christians really understood the fact that they each are, individually, a church; they are the body of Christ, a SPIRITUAL HOUSE wherein God dwells: [1Cr 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? .... 1Cr 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make [them] the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot [as in the antiChrist, immoral, war-mongering, thieving, murdering, TALMUDIC NOAHIDE, State] is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/1Cr/6/19.html , and the State has no jurisdiction over them.....What? Shall we be joined to a Harlot? Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up **** a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe [he is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed [ **** and chose this instead http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/1Ki/1Ki005.html#18 ], the same is made the head of the corner, 1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 1Pe 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Rev/5/10.html Isa 66:1 ¶ Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest? [ see: 1Ch 22:9 Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon (i.e., "Peaceable", as in Prince of Peace: http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/1Ch/22/9.html ), and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. 10 He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I [will be] his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever. http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/1Ch/1Ch022.html#9 . And Jesus is King of Israel http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Jhn/Jhn001.html#49 . And as I've said time and time again, the church is Israel, and America is Israel: http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/2Sa/7/10.html / http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Eze/Eze034.html#13 / http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Mat/15/24.html / http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Jhn/Jhn010.html / http://www.originofnations.org/old_bi_literature/Pitts.htm ]. Isa 66:2 For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word....... Isa 66:18 ¶ For I [know] their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory. Isa 66:19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, [to] Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, [to] Tubal, and Javan, [to] the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles. Isa 66:20 And they shall bring all your brethren [for] an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD. Isa 66:21 And I will also take of them for priests [and] for Levites, saith the LORD..... http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Isa/Isa066.html#21 http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Isa/66/21.html In the Old Testament, the priests/Levites were given a tenth out of the whole country: Num 18:21 ¶ And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, [even] the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Num/Num018.html#26 1Cr 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, [is it] a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 1Cr 9:12 If others be partakers of [this] power over you, [are] not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 1Cr 9:13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live [of the things] of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 1Cr 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel..... Luk 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Num/18/31.html If I'm not mistaken, somewhere the Bible talks about the kings getting a tenth, as well. That would seem to go along with: Isa 61:5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien [shall be] your plowmen and your vinedressers. [hint, hint] Isa 61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: [men] shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles [i.e., nations], and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves. Isa 61:7 For your shame [ye shall have] double; and [for] confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. Isa 61:8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Isa 61:9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they [are] the seed [which] the LORD hath blessed. [see Galatians 3:29] http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Isa/Isa061.html#7 ===================================== "...But of course however much influence with their homosexualist Governator the faggots enjoy, they could not have won this latest, overwhelming victory had there not been a gargantuan vacuum into which their slime could ooze. Who created that vacuum? Who slunk off the field, giving victory to the faggots? In fact, who is responsible for the present sodomite takeover? It is the churches. The homosexual takeover could not be happening without them. It is the churches, with their 501(c)(3) IRS status that IRS itself says they didn’t need to apply for in the first place. It is the churches whose pastors cower in their pulpits, terrified of saying something somebody, anybody, doesn’t like, afraid of losing the tax-exemption they don’t need. IRS itself says a church is automatically tax-exempt. It doesn’t need to apply for anything. But the preachers still cower. No wonder Islam treats today’s “Christianity” with contempt....... articles on the 501c3 status some churches have taken upon themselves, to receive tax benefits, when according to the IRS, they didn't have to: ========================================================================== 4um: Returning Free Speech to Our Houses of Worship A corporation is a creation of the state. A 501 (c)(3) church is a STATE creation ..... http://freedom4um.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5005 ==================================================================== WHAT SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE? "....The following was sent to me after the first limited posting of ''What Separation of Church and State''. The information came from Brother Gregory, and covers much that I missed. It is certainly interesting, and you should wonder how this ties into Fascism, and how the state uses the churches to cement its control of the nation. Richard “Churches have not only bound themselves unnecessarily, they have neglected the daily ministration of the people and delivered them back into the snares and bondage of rulers and despots which Abraham, Moses and Jesus led men out of. Churches regularly fill out (a form) 1023 and apply for a status with the government called 501C3. Lawyers tell them they have to do this despite that the Internal Revenue states that, "The following organizations will be considered tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) even if they do not file Form 1023: (a) churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches,...". Where do they state this? In the instructions of course: "Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code," under "Purpose of Form," section "2. Organizations not Required to file Form 1023. -Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service. This of course is not the only place that Churches are told that they do not have to apply. Many have told me that if you are not a 501(c)(3) church you cannot deduct your contributions. For those who believe that to be true you should know that, in the Department of the Treasury, I.R.S., Pub. 557 Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization, Chap. 3, Page 14, we find; "Although a church, its integrated auxiliaries, or a convention or association of churches is not required to file Form 1023 to be exempt from federal income tax ***** or to receive tax deductible contributions, such an organization may find it advantageous to obtain recognition of exemption." (This is exactly what I was speaking of before; in essence, the churches have requested to enter into commerce. – Richard) So, contributions are deductible if you do not file. Yet many churches do file. Why? What are the advantages that they may find under a 501(c)(3) status? "Advantages and Disadvantages of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3)." "The main advantage to classification under .501(c)(3) is that the organization is generally spared federal taxation of its income." according to the Detailed Analysis, Tax Management Inc. a subsidiary of the Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. 464-2nd, A -1 The use of the words 'generally spared' should make it clear that any 'organization' granted or permitted exemption under 501(c)(3) is spared not because of its nature or right but because of its 'classification.' Probably the most important word to note is the word 'under.' Again if we look at the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Instructions for form 1023, section 2, we see; "Even if these organizations are not required to file form 1023 to be tax-exempt, they may wish to file form 1023 and receive a determination letter of IRS recognition of their section 501(c)(3) status to obtain certain incidental benefits such as public recognition of their tax exempt status; exemptions from certain state taxes; advance assurance to donors of deductibility of contributions; from certain Federal excise taxes; nonprofit mailing privileges, etc." How is it an advantage to exchange a God given mandatory exemption as Christ's Holy Church for a classification as an organization, which is only generally spared taxation? So, what are the disadvantages? According to the same Detailed Analysis, "The disadvantages of exemption under 501(c)(3) stem from the strict operational restrictions." A church or a religion is exempt, in the sense that it is not taxed or regulated, because the government has no power, granted by the document that created it, to make rules to the contrary. Do you want to be merely spared a tax although your **** operations will be strictly restricted under the administrative rule of 501(c)(3) regulations and authority? There is far more to all this including a look at incorporation by the state of a Church which is really the waiver of rights of the Church granted by Christ in exchange for commercial benefits offered by the state.. See The Body of Christ Vs. The Body of the State and other links concerning the formation of a free Church. Http://www.hisholychurch.net/study/gods/bvb.htm ....... I have always understood that it was not necessary to register a church to make that church tax deductible; in fact, I have always understood that the very act of registering such a church would end it’s RIGHT to be tax deductible, and instead make that church depend upon a PRIVILEGE. But I did not have the details available that Brother Gregory was so gracious to share with us. There is another aspect to this, and it is one of supreme importance… at least, it is to me. If you are a Christian, and I realize that many on these lists are not, then you understand the same as I do, and you know that there will come a day when you stand before God for Judgment. You are required by His Law to seek out the Truth, and you are required to change accordingly when you discover what it is that you are required to do. If you are attending a 501(c)(3) church, accepting marriage with a state issued marriage license, and listening to a state licensed minister preach the Word of God, then you are the one who will have to face judgment for that sin. You are compounding this sin when you donate money to such an organization, cherish the tax deduction, and teach your children and all others you know, by your example, to do the same as you......" http://freedom4um.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=35404 ============================================================================ 501c3 Facts **** "It's impossible to have religious freedom in any nation where churches are licensed to the government." - Congressman George Hansen [victim of Diesel Therapy and Prison Torture] http://freedom4um.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=63597 ], in Caesar's Grip by Peter Kershaw Most churches in America have organized as "501c3 tax-exempt religious organizations." This is a fairly recent trend that has only been going on for about fifty years. Churches were only added to section 501c3 of the tax code in 1954. We can thank Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson for that. Johnson was no ally of the church. As part of his political agenda, B>Johnson had it in mind to silence the church and eliminate the significant influence the church had always had on shaping "public policy." Although Johnson proffered this as a "favor" to churches, the favor also came with strings attached (more like shackles). One need not look far to see the devastating effects 501c3 acceptance has had to the church, and the consequent restrictions placed upon any 501c3 church. 501c3 churches are prohibited from addressing, in any tangible way, the vital issues of the day. For a 501c3 church to openly speak out, or organize in opposition to, anything that the government declares "legal," even if it is immoral (e.g. abortion, homosexuality, etc.), that church will jeopardize its tax exempt status. The 501c3 has had a "chilling effect" upon the free speech rights of the church. LBJ was a shrewd and cunning politician who seemed to well-appreciate how easily many of the clergy would sell out. Did the church ever need to seek permission from the government to be exempt from taxes? Were churches prior to 1954 taxable? No, **** churches have never been taxable. To be taxable a church would first need to be **** under the jurisdiction, and therefore under the taxing authority, of the government. The First Amendment clearly places the church ***** outside the jurisdiction of the civil government: "Congress shall make NO LAW respecting an establishment of religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Religion cannot be free if you have to pay the government, through taxation, to exercise it. Since churches aren't taxable in the first place, why do so many of them go to the IRS and seek permission to be tax-exempt? It occurs out of: * Ignorance ("We didn't know any better") * Bandwagon logic ("Everyone else is doing it") * Professional advice (many attorneys and CPAs recommend it) Does the law require, or even encourage, a church to organize as a 501c3? To answer that question let's turn to what the IRS itself has to say. Churches Need Not Apply In order to be considered for tax-exempt status by the IRS an organization must fill out and submit IRS Form 1023 and 1024. However, note what the IRS says regarding churches and church ministries, in Publication 557: Some organizations are not required to file Form 1023. These include: Churches, interchurch organizations of local units of a church, conventions or associations of churches, or integrated auxiliaries of a church, such as a men’s or women’s organization, religious school, mission society, or youth group. These organizations are exempt automatically if they meet the requirements of section 501(c)(3). Churches Are “Automatically Tax-Exempt” According to IRS Code § 508(c)(1)(A): Special rules with respect to section 501(c)(3) organizations. (a) New organizations must notify secretary that they are applying for recognition of section 501(c)(3) status. (c) Exceptions. (1) Mandatory exceptions. Subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply to— (A) churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches. This is referred to as the "mandatory exception" rule. Thus, we see from the IRS’ own publications, and the tax code, that it is completely unnecessary for any church to apply for tax-exempt status. In the IRS’ own words a church “is automatically tax-exempt.” Churches Are “Automatically Tax-Deductible” ***** And what about tax-deductibility? Doesn’t a church still need to become a 501c3 so that contributions to it can be taken as a tax deduction? ****The answer is no! According to IRS Publication 526: Organizations That Qualify To Receive Deductible Contributions You can deduct your contributions only if you make them to a qualified organization. To become a qualified organization, most organizations other than churches and governments, as described below, must apply to the IRS. In the IRS’ own words a church “is automatically tax-deductible.” Churches Have a Mandatory Exception To Filing Tax Returns Not only is it completely unnecessary for any church to seek 501c3 status, ******* to do so becomes a grant of jurisdiction to the IRS by any church that obtains that State favor. In the words of Steve Nestor, IRS Sr. Revenue Officer (ret.): "I am not the only IRS employee who’s wondered why churches go to the government and seek permission to be exempted from a tax they didn’t owe to begin with, and to seek a tax deductible status that they’ve always had anyway. Many of us have marveled at how church leaders want to be regulated and controlled by an agency of government that most Americans have prayed would just get out of their lives. ***** Churches are in an amazingly unique position, but they don’t seem to know or appreciate the implications of what it would mean to be free of government control." from the Forward of In Caesar's Grip, by Peter Kershaw http://hushmoney.org/501c3-facts.htm Eze 34:27 And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them.
I'm sorry, but I can't read all that. It seems to jumbled and cobbled together, I can't make heads or tails out of what I tried to read. I did see where you said a 10th of Israel was given to Levites......that is the TITHES that were given to the priestly line....the 1/10th that the Israelites were to give to God. In all of that did YOU have an opinion as to the Hinn-Copeland mess or Grassley's meddling?
Yes. I think it could very well be a ploy to do away with the exemption by right of churches to NOT be under the jurisdiction of the State, and to NOT be subject to taxation by the State. Churches are not required to pay taxes according to the IRS's own rules. It looks like Copeland and Hinn are not 501(c)3 churches, and are abusing their status as "shepherds" as did the shepherds in Ezekiel 34. Some whiners who should have known better than to throw their money at false prophets now want to bring the government into the jurisdiction of churches which have known enough to be separate, setting a precedent we don't need. I suspect the whiners could be professionals not really of the church, if you know what I mean. The Zionist occupied government has put every American in debt to the tune of $175,000. They ought to be concerned with that, rather than meddling in the affairs of the church where the theft of funds I would imagine wouldn't come close to a thousand dollars a pop, [just an exaggerated guestimate.]
I remember G. Gordon Liddy (of all people) remarking that he always sat in the back of the church with all the other sinners...
#2. To: Zipporah (#0)
#3. To: Zipporah (#0)
(Edited)
fiasco that is quickly approaching fruition. [/ edit]
#4. To: rowdee (#3)
#5. To: Zipporah (#4)
#6. To: rowdee (#3)
Great take - it all coming down to an unbelievable joke - on all of us.
#7. To: robnoel (#5)
(Edited)
#8. To: Zipporah (#7)
#9. To: Zipporah (#0)
(Edited)
Many ministries join other nonprofits in filing Form 990 with the Internal Revenue Service, thus providing basic public information on revenues and expenditures.
I've already said too much.
#10. To: robnoel (#8)
#11. To: MUDDOG (#9)
in particular at compensation paid in excess of fair market value, which is a way of syphoning off assets to insiders.
#12. To: Zipporah (#11)
I've already said too much.
#13. To: robnoel, Zipporah (#8)
#14. To: MUDDOG (#12)
#15. To: Zipporah (#10)
#16. To: Zipporah (#4)
#17. To: Zipporah (#10)
#18. To: Zipporah (#11)
#19. To: Zipporah, rowdee (#0)
i missed this one....the battle never ends.
#20. To: AllTheKings'HorsesWontDoIt (#19)
#21. To: rowdee (#20)
#22. To: Zipporah (#0)
Mr. Hinn has drawn controversy for his claims of faith healing
#23. To: Red Jones (#15)
Remember...G-d saved more animals than people on the ark. www.siameserescue.org
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