Pah
Uber all member
Katholish said:The Church doesn't do anything to my knowledge to violate tax exempt statutes. The Church is not endorsing any particular candidate.
A case can be made that the Church is violating the Constitutional prohibitation for a religious test when it threatens to withhold a sacrement from voters. It is also much more odious than a poll tax to prevent blacks from voting. Coercion of any sort does not belong in American democracy and especially based on a religious test.
While the Church is not endorsing a particular candidate, it is blacklisting one by threats against the voter. It is meddling in politics that should lose generous benefits that exceed other non-profit corporations.
The tax "gifts" are a privalege accorded only to religious incorporation.
From the holding of BOB JONES UNIVERSITY v. UNITED STATES
IRC is the Internal Revenue CodeAn examination of the IRC's framework and the background of congressional purposes reveals unmistakable evidence that underlying all relevant parts of the IRC is the intent that entitlement to tax exemption depends on meeting certain common-law standards of charity - namely, that an institution seeking tax-exempt status must serve a public purpose and not be contrary to established public policy.
The freedom of vote is such a public policy.
Substitue voter coercion for racial discrimination.The Government's fundamental, overriding interest in eradicating racial discrimination in education substantially outweighs whatever burden denial of tax benefits places on petitioners' exercise of their religious beliefs. Petitioners' asserted interests cannot be accommodated with that compelling governmental interest, and no less restrictive means are available to achieve the governmental interest
Does it sound like the Church is against public policy when it tries to enforce its faith? Sure does!!!!
-pah-