Separation of church and state

coadie · #1 10-13-2010, 09:27 AM

The above phrase is NOT in the constitution.

In fact the liberals do not want separation.

0diggs
diggWASHINGTON (ABP) -- A church-state watchdog group says the Internal Revenue Service should investigate whether a New York church violated federal tax law by endorsing a Democrat running for governor.

Quote:

Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a group frequently critical of conservative churches politicking for candidates on the Religious Right, voiced alarm Oct. 7 at activities reported at Brown Memorial Baptist Church in Brooklyn involving gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo.

According to an Oct. 3 New York Times story headlined "Election season puts politicians in the pews," Cuomo made brief spiritual remarks before launching into a 10-minute "pitch for support in his bid for governor." After Cuomo spoke, the newspaper said the church's pastor "quickly encouraged congregants to vote for Mr. Cuomo."

Barry Lynn, Americans United's executive director, said in a letter to IRS officials that the report made it appear that the church "stepped over the line" of what is impermissible activity for non-profit organizations that take advantage of the benefits of being tax exempt.

The nasty libs want to use the state and the IRS to bully people they despise.

If the state is separate from the church, how does the IRS get in the door?

Quote:

The heathen say:
"Congress needs to get out of the prayer business," said Lynn, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. "Prayer is an inherently religious practice, and our Constitution makes it clear that promoting it is not part of the government’s job."

But then they want the state to micromanage churches.

Baron1710 · #2 10-13-2010, 11:02 AM

No, Coadie they want churches to abide by the law. If a church chooses to take advantage of a tax exempt status there are certain restrictions they must follow.

If churches chooses to pay taxes they are free to say whatever they wish.

While separation of church and state is not found in the Constitution the principle is, and Constitutional law includes more than just what is explicitly found in the Constitution.

Does government have the right to read your text messages or should we expand the Constitution to encompass them?

Twisp · #3 10-13-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baron1710

No, Coadie they want churches to abide by the law. If a church chooses to take advantage of a tax exempt status there are certain restrictions they must follow.

If churches chooses to pay taxes they are free to say whatever they wish.

While separation of church and state is not found in the Constitution the principle is, and Constitutional law includes more than just what is explicitly found in the Constitution.

Does government have the right to read your text messages or should we expand the Constitution to encompass them?

Dude, don't even get involved in this. He is as crazy today on this subject as I have even seen him in the past.

Baron1710 · #4 10-13-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twisp

Dude, don't even get involved in this. He is as crazy today on this subject as I have even seen him in the past.

He is always a little on the crazy side, I just couldn't help myself.

Twisp · #5 10-13-2010, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baron1710

He is always a little on the crazy side, I just couldn't help myself.

THAT'S the problem, we can't help ourselves. We need to be stronger. Do it with me Baron, be stronger and don't feed the troll. We can do it together.

coadie · #6 10-13-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baron1710

He is always a little on the crazy side, I just couldn't help myself.

This is not your legal specialty.

coadie · #7 10-13-2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Barry Lynn, Americans United's executive director, said in a letter to IRS officials that the report made it appear that the church "stepped over the line" of what is impermissible activity for non-profit organizations that take advantage of the benefits of being tax exempt.

So the libs/atheists use the IRS to bully the churches. How is that separation?

Baron1710 · #8 10-13-2010, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coadie

This is not your legal specialty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by coadie

So the libs/atheists use the IRS to bully the churches. How is that separation?

What's not my specialty? Diagnosing crazies?

Churches have a choice limit your speech based on a pay off in the form of tax breaks, or pay the taxes.

Separation of church and state has never exempted the state from regulating things, such as building codes, taxes, drug use, etc.

BTW Barry is a cool guy, wrong most of the time, but a nice guy. Even gave me his book Piety and Politics.

coadie · #9 10-13-2010, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baron1710

What's not my specialty? Diagnosing crazies?

Churches have a choice limit your speech based on a pay off in the form of tax breaks, or pay the taxes.

Separation of church and state has never exempted the state from regulating things, such as building codes, taxes, drug use, etc.

BTW Barry is a cool guy, wrong most of the time, but a nice guy. Even gave me his book Piety and Politics.

They still gather and remit payroll taxes. I doubt if very many churches make money after giving to the poor and missionaries.

Sending the IRS over as a bullying tool is not separation.

Baron1710 · #10 10-13-2010, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coadie

They still gather and remit payroll taxes. I doubt if very many churches make money after giving to the poor and missionaries.

Sending the IRS over as a bullying tool is not separation.

Irrelevant. If they weren't employing people they wouldn't be.

Do you have a point somewhere Coadie, or just more random lunatic ravings?