Ministers to Defy I.R.S. by Endorsing Candidates

[Ferd]

Originally Posted by TK Burk

So a preacher can sign an agreement for which he has no plans of keeping? Wow!

You do know that neither a church nor a minister has to be under a 501c3 to be tax exempt, right? But if they want the "benefits" a 501c3 offers, then they must agree to uphold its stipulations. So, are you really saying that if a preacher agrees to uphold those laws, they do not have to keep their word?

There is an old saying.

When laws are unjust, just men must not obey them.

I would agree with you that these men were in violation of the law if they were slinking around violating this regulation and trying to get away with it.


That isnt what they are doing. they are taking a JUST stand in full view of the regulators, intending to make this an issue. if they lose, they will pay the price. If they win, they will have won a victory for all of us.

[TK Burk]

Originally Posted by Ferd

There is an old saying.

When laws are unjust, just men must not obey them.

I would agree with you that these men were in violation of the law if they were slinking around violating this regulation and trying to get away with it.


That isnt what they are doing. they are taking a JUST stand in full view of the regulators, intending to make this an issue. if they lose, they will pay the price. If they win, they will have won a victory for all of us.

Nice saying, but in this case, it does not apply.

This is not about their patriotism or about their Christian rights; this is about them reneging on their word.

No offense, but do you understand what a 501c3 is? Maybe that's the problem? There is NO LAW that says a church or a minister HAS to be under a 501c3. The US Constitution already makes every church and minister exempt if they qualify as a "free church." But if a man or church wants the "benefits" of a 501c3, then they have to agree to obey its rules. These men agreed to those rules. They gave their word, and in return the Government allowed them to operate as a 501c3. If we took what you're saying as being true, then it’s acceptable to lie for financial gain. Do you really believe that?

If these preachers want to endorse a candidate all they have to do is drop their 501c3. Afterward, they could say all they want and would not be breaking any laws. Instead, what these guys want is to have their cake and eat it too. How can a lie ever represent Truth?

At the heart of this matter is the fact that a preacher is never allowed to lie...under any circumstance. Yet these guys are using the guise of their “American rights” as an excuse to do just that. The kicker is that they claim they’re doing this to help the government. Have they forgotten what the government is? Can’t they see past the marbled buildings, and see the people that work within its system? How much positive impact do you think those preachers will have with government employees that know they lied to the government?

[Steve Epley]

The church I pastored did not have a 501C3. I would not endorse a canidate however If a man chooses to I think the 1st Admendment of a regulation it is thoer choice I think the Constitution supercedes any regulation.

[Brother Price]

Can someone explain the advantages 501c3 has over Free Church?

[Jeremy]

A: What a bunch of hypocrites. Loose the tax exemptions or obey the regulations. Seems pretty simple for a honest hearted christian to me.

B:Churches that don't have community programs don't deserve to be tax exempt anyway. Doesn't seem like they do anyway. They are not charities, so why should they be tax exempt?

[TK Burk]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

The church I pastored did not have a 501C3. I would not endorse a canidate however If a man chooses to I think the 1st Admendment of a regulation it is thoer choice I think the Constitution supercedes any regulation.

Even one you give your word to uphold?

[TRFrance]

Originally Posted by Jeremy

Churches that don't have community programs don't deserve to be tax exempt anyway. Doesn't seem like they do anyway. They are not charities, so why should they be tax exempt?

Being a charity , or having community programs is not what qualifies a group to be tax exempt. Being a Not For Profit organization is what makes them tax exempt.

[Jeremy]

I am not sure what "not for profit" means or how churches qualify when preachers are getting wealthy running churches (of all kinds. This has nothing to do with Apostolic or any other name brand) and the buildings are costing millions of dollars. I kind of think uncle Sam should get a chunk of that $100,000.00 stained glass window.

Again, I am admitting my ignorance in this area though. I know my old pastor was very good about this whole deal. He talked about how other ministers would abuse it, and that is what got me thinking the whole thing was kind of weird.

His example was that he bought a lawn mower that he would be using to mow the church (several acres at least)but would also mow his personal property with it. He chose not to go TE with that because he would be using it too, but said a lot of pastors have would do differently. I just kind of thought, why would they not pay the 6.5% anyway? How does buying it for a religious group entitle them to a tax break.

Every other not for profit group I can think of is community oriented and/or charitable organizations.

[TK Burk]

Originally Posted by Jeremy

I am not sure what "not for profit" means or how churches qualify when preachers are getting wealthy running churches (of all kinds. This has nothing to do with Apostolic or any other name brand) and the buildings are costing millions of dollars. I kind of think uncle Sam should get a chunk of that $100,000.00 stained glass window.

Again, I am admitting my ignorance in this area though. I know my old pastor was very good about this whole deal. He talked about how other ministers would abuse it, and that is what got me thinking the whole thing was kind of weird.

His example was that he bought a lawn mower that he would be using to mow the church (several acres at least)but would also mow his personal property with it. He chose not to go TE with that because he would be using it too, but said a lot of pastors have would do differently. I just kind of thought, why would they not pay the 6.5% anyway? How does buying it for a religious group entitle them to a tax break.

Every other not for profit group I can think of is community oriented and/or charitable organizations.

Jeremy, no offense, but you really need to study on this subject before forming an opinion. Your post makes it clear that you do not understand what qualifies as non-profit.

Also, it’s evident that you do not know the ministers that I do. Those guys give a whole lot more than they monetarily gain. If you were also out there in the trenches you'd understand....

[Brother Price]

We want to preach politics and anything else from the pulpit except what we are called to preach, and then wonder why no revival.