My Priest made the national news
 

Based on the bulletin from last week. Evidently it was picked up by the greenville news, now its going national...

Priest: No communion for Obama voters - Faith

I saw that story on MSN today.

"Doing penance for their vote?" What an ass.

Yep. A total idiot.

Your priest is an idiot.

So seperation of religion and state is working fine in your neck of the woods ... right? ;)

I'm so glad Obama's middle name is Hussein. It's like a great little shortcut to let me know when somebody who objects to him doesn't need to be taken seriously.

I have a friend on facebook that keeps spewing about people being evil because they voted for someone that is Pro Life.

Maybe you can go online and look for yourself to find graphic images. *shurg*

That is just gross and uncalled for. I'm not going to try to make my case for gun control by posting excessively gory pictures of gun shot victims.

And I am fairly moderate on social issues.

Maybe it's possible to keep this one in line, eh gang?

Ya, there's room for all kinds of people, and groups, and churches, and if this type of church appeals to people, than they're doing a good service.

The world will always become more socially liberal over time. That doesn't mean we have to insult people and get all threatened by those who still respect tradition and are more conservative (ESPECIALLY when it's in a way that that doesn't impose their beliefs on others). There's plenty of churches. I know the response to that, "If you don't want abortions don't have one". But it's not insane to want to belong to a VOLUNTARY group of people that feel similarly, and have rules that encourage coming in line with that group belief (when you can always leave the group if you want).

Of course, I think I'm the only person that doesn't give a shit about abortion as a political issue.

As for the graphic pictures - bad form to post here of course. Though I the understand the need for some to give us the occasional reminder that abortion is something a little more significant than birth control. Abortion shouldn't be easy, it shouldn't be routine (though it should be safe). It's SERIOUS shit.

thank god i'm atheist

Is it too much to think that if the churches want the government to stay out of their business, maybe they should stay out of government business?

{shaking head}

anyone see the wife swap with the God Warrior?

I don't think that's a two way street.

Religion should be able to do whatever the hell they want.

That is sarcasm, right?

Well I don't really mean ANYTHING, (like bombing shit), but if they want to restrict membership or participation in any way they have every right to do so, and I think everybody should relax and let them do their thing.

Government can't infringe on religion. Religion can go against government ALL THEY WANT (as long as it's legal).

Seems to me that if they want separation to work, they should respect it from their side.

Why are you so threatened about what a church (that you don't have to be a member of) does if it doesn't impact you in ANY way?

And what do you mean, that they should "respect" government? They should alter their fundamental beliefs based on who the current president is? What does having in-house church rules have to do with properly "respecting" government? Why does a religion need to respect government at all (as long as it's staying legal).

Is anyone in Washington a sinner when they don't vote to send troops ASAP to a new war zone to defend lives? No one is pro-abortion. There are plenty of pro-choice people that have pro-life morals; they just can't reconcile those personal morals with how far they believe Government can and should go.

Priests like this should respect Government and their parishioners by ackowledging this and not treating a political pro-choice stance as if the person had or performed an abortion themself.

I appreciate your point that someone can be anti-abortion and yet anti-government involvement in abortion.

But a particular church damn well can be viewpoint-discriminatory on the issue of abortion and membership. I can start up a group tomorrow that excludes anyone that that's for corporate bail-outs, that's my right.

It's a nothing argument really - I don't think anyone's actually calling for the government to restrict church membership criteria (I hope), I just appreciate this kind of diversity in the U.S. I'm glad groups/religions can think/feel whatever the hell they want and associate appropriately.

can they infiltrate gov't for their motives to be pushed?

That's fine, but they shouldn't have tax exempt status. I'm for them doing and saying whatever they want, but they should pay taxes like the rest of the businesses in this country.

if theyre for profit?

WARNING: Graphic Image



But apparently TPTB don't give a shit. *Shurg*

Unless they agree with the current president, right?

So government should tax religion if religion doesn't agree with government. Geez, I didn't think support for the inevitable Obama dictatorship would come this soon.

more animals

All non-profits play by the same rules. Their tax exempt status is a privelege, not a right. Part of that agreement is that they will not use their non-profit to play in politics. It has nothing to do with agreeing or disagreeing with a President.

Government should tax religion just like everyone else. Why should religions get special treatment in this country but the average businessman not? If they want to be treated like everyone else, then pay taxes like everyone else.

I dont think that was said. If theyre not for profit than I have no problems with their exemption but when they start to get political themselves than they forfeit that status IMO. But you'll blend openly which is cool.

Wow, there's apparently a consensus that government should tax the free exercise of religion.

Perhaps they should tax free speech as well.

It's cool to hate religion, that's your right, but don't call for government to come down on it because you disagree with their beliefs, that's just creepy.

Ill assume youre ignoring my sentiment that they should NOT be taxed until the get political. Ok.

What about speech, should that get taxed "once it gets political"?

And what does religion to to "get political" exactly - have an opinion? Or mention the president in reference to that opinion?

What if jews came out against the Iraq War and George Bush? Should they THEN become subject to taxation?

What the hell's happening to this country?

How is it "coming down" on religion by asking it to pay taxes like the rest of us? It seems like religion is "coming down" on taxpayers by asking them to cover the costs for everything.

So you just want my speech to be taxed while their speech isn't? I don't think you understand. Everyone else in this country pays taxes. Why do you feel that they are above everyone else? All we are saying is that they should be treated just like everyone else.

They pay taxes on their income, property, purchases, just like you.

They should pay a little extra though, if they belong to a group that disagrees with the government?

nope


yup, when they, from the pulpit support one or another candidate. When they from, under the umbrella of their church's label (BTW could be temple, or mosque, etc), show up on government property as a gathering for agenda purposes (as opposed to being sole individuals) and FWIW Im ok with this if they lose their tax exempt status, when they donate money to one candidate or another from church coffers (as opposed to individually), I think you can see the pattern there....However I also understand that the above was a waste of effort and you'll never ever ever agree and hope to have a Christian agenda pushed in government and it's entities and legislation, which is cool and equally scary to any non-christian in this country and perhaps the world.

They're not exempt from taxes.

Nobody should have to refrain from religious exercise just to save on their taxes.

Yes they are exempt from taxes.

No one is saying that anyone has to refrain from religious exercise. Just saying they should pay taxes just like everyone else.

Churches have tax exempt status. They don't pay on any of the things you listed there. Read up on 501c3 status.

You're saying they should pay twice. Once like everyone else, and again if they belong to a church. (the church gets its money from its members).

nope

The members pay those things.

dont have a problem with the members meeting up as individuals to even pray, if they want. Youre conveniently not seperating the entities and I suspect purposely.

My business does. Are you cool with giving all businesses tax exempt status so that they don't get taxed twice?

Maybe you're making some kind of greater statement about the corruption of religion and Catholic Church, and that's cool.

But let's just take a hypothetical.....30 people in my town wish to worship god together as Christians. They get together on Sundays and do it. They pass the plate at the service, and the money goes towards rent for the building, salary for a full-time pastor, etc. The rest goes into a general fund that they hope to use help in the community, and maybe build churches in neighboring towns.

Do you think they should be taxed to do this?

The IRS can revoke tax exempt status from a church if they start playing in the political arena. (Not the members, but the church itself which would include endorsing a candidate, having the candidate at a function or giving donations to a candidate)

no, molson, clearly.

My company's money goes toward rent, salaries, and other expenses. We have a general fund too that we hope to use to expand our business. The difference is that your Church doesn't pay taxes on that money, mine does.

Seems you feel that Christian businesses should be tax free while everyone else has to pay. Who is the one that is discriminating here?

Rainmaker disagrees.

Well I dont however we disagree, I think, in that youre ok with Religious groups becoming involved in Politics and keep their tax exemption while I am not.

I'm not going to give up you yet.

What if a group of people organize in their shared belief that the Iraq War was unjust and that George W. Bush should be held accountable. At their meeting, they all pitch in for pizza at the next meeting, and to rent out a local hotel's ballroom.

We should tax them too? They've all paid taxes already on their income, etc - they should pay more here to politically assemble?

The business example just doesn't mesh. You sell a product or service to an outside, unrelated third party and take the cash. You're seeing the cash for the first time. You should be taxed on it.

that sounds like a club TBH

I don't think a priest using a "trigger word" like "Obama" should trigger taxation. I don't even think a priest using a "trigger action" like referencing Obama in a church policy should do so.

I really don't care what they do in politics. Churches should be entitled to opinions just like anyone else. A much bigger issue (to me) would be if they became too heavily involved in business (i.e. Scientology).

This is only an issue here because this particular church expresses an anti-Obama viewpoint. If it were anti-Bush you wouldn't give a shit.

Oh sorry, they believe in god too.

you know the difference(s) but this debate is silly and unproductive.

Well, I guess I could just start the Church of Larry, which focuses on a more modern interpretation of the Bible, but is really just a front for progressive political action. Now I shouldn't have to pay taxes according to molson.

That is not happening though. You all aren't grabbing the electric bill and tossing in a couple bucks to pay it. You all aren't in on this decision and have the power over where the money goes. You are paying in money to a central fund that is then used by the Church at their discretion. That is called a business in our country.

Your Church isn't providing a service? So sitting for 2 hours on Sunday and listening to a Preacher is not a service, but sitting for 2 hours on a Sunday and listening to a Comedian is?

Seems to me that you just want to discriminate against businesses who don't have the same beliefs as your Church.

Well you're saying religion should be tax-exempt unless they get involved in politics, which I agree with (though we probably disagree on the degree of necessary "involvement"). My last few posts were directed at rainmaker, who thinks all religions should be taxed regardless of politics.

im not saying religion by itself should be taxed but i think that that may have been a convenient slip of the finger.

I think all businesses should be taxed equally. Whether that's 0% or 30%, it should be equal across the board. It is nothing against anyone. Whether you sell salvation, laughs, or sports entertainment, you should be treated equally.

What if a church doesn't make a profit? They come up short and rely on volunteer employees to make up the difference (like most churches). They still offer a "service". Is your issue when churches try to expand, or put money away for a rainy day?

I'm not trying to cross-examine you, I'm just curious about your views.

Well you can only be taxed on profits. So if they aren't making money, they don't have to worry about taxes.

My issue is with those who abuse the system. Guys like Creflo Dollar who has his tax exempt church buy him a Rolls Royce. Or Pat Robertson who owns a mansion with a private air strip that he can land his private jet on. Tax exempt status was supposed to be a way to help charitible entities financially. Instead it has been used by some in Churches to hoards millions and millions of tax free dollars for personal gain.

I really don't see anything unusual or wrong with anything that molson is arguing. As long as no one is questioning my right to call this priest a douchebag, I don't see a problem with anything.

except that we have to make up for that portion of the budget deficit for those that 'should' lost their exemption. (again Im not talking about those who shouldnt)

Bona fide religious organizations enjoy a much wider exemption from tax and land use laws than do ordinnary not-for-profit organizations. It's not just the exemption from paying taxes on "business activities" that's at stake, it's a pretty complete free pass on taxes of all kinds -- no obligation to collect sales tax when selling stuff, no obligation to pay property tax on land and buildings, broad exceptions from many land use restrictions, and so forth. By and large, you simply are not entitled to that sort of treatment simply by being a nonprofit, or even a charity. It's being a religion that entitles you to the "hands off" treatment afforded under the first amendment (with the interpreted principle that the power to tax is the power to destroy).

If a religious organization, bound to stay within that limitation in order to receive this sort of wide special treatment by all governments, decides to step outside that role and begin telling its members how to vote on candidates or issues, then it has betrayed its mission as a religious organization and has instead become a political action organization, which merits different treatment under tax and other laws. Obviously it's fairly tough to determine exactly where the line is between saying that it's a religious tenet that a practice like abortion is wrong, and directing members to act in a certain way, but that's essentially what we are in for once we determine that the government has no business interfering with the free practice of religion.

Wasn't there a big challenge to the ban on political advocacy a few weeks ago?

Like most of the rest of your posts in this thread, you jumped on this way too hard. I don't feel threatened that a church called everyone who voted for Obama a sinner. That you got that at all from my posts shows that you aren't reading. What I said is that churches should stay out of politics if they don't want the government being in their business. If the Government is taking a hands-off stance with the church, why shouldn't the church do the same thing? If the church wants to start endorsing candidates and try to affect the political process, they shouldn't be surprised if religious freedoms are impacted.

Religion heavily intertwined with Government lead to all kinds of problems in Europe many years ago. That is why keeping them separate was so important to our founding fathers.

From a religious standpoint, I am offended that any priest would call someone a sinner for a vote. I voted for McCain, so this isn't a personal attack on me. Calling my opponents sinner for their vote is offensive. It is cheap manipulation which would only be worse if this got big play before the election such that it could influence the election.

Yep, exactly. Molson, I wonder if you are fine with the anti-GW Bush group getting a pass on property taxes if they buy some place they can all meet or don't have to collect sales taxes well selling shirts.

The idea behind the tax exempt status of churches is so that the government does not tax some religions out of existence purely on the basis of not liking them.

And seriously, since I physically have the bulletin, he also says we should support and pray for Obama and his presidency. I think everyone knows I'm a crazy liberal, but your hatred of organized religion borders on lunacy.

I miss the good old days when priests only made the news for impersonating Michael Jackson.