Federal taxes, by law, do not fund Religious groups or churches. Why?, Because these groups cannot be political or represent one Party or the other from the pulpit. For that they get tax exemptions. Why do you have a problem with this law?
Yes. We all know that churches are exempt and have been since 1894 because they're "charities." But that's billions in revenue that we taxpayers make up for. As Mark Twain put it, "No church property is taxed and so the infidel and the atheist and the man without religion are taxed to make up the deficit in the public income thus caused." Why are you okay with megachurch pastors spending tax-free dollars on private jets jet and mansions?
Government should be banned from funding anything social. It needs to return to the basics from the time of the publishing of the constitution. If we did it right, nobody would have to pay federal income tax.
Guess you agree with Benjamin Franklin that "it is better 100 guilty Persons should escape than that one innocent Person should suffer". I personally disagree. I like the odds that I'm not that innocent person. Just a thought ;;; if IRS agents got a very small percent of what they collected, I bet no one under $50,000 would be audited. .
am I confusing this with the fact that pastors will voice support candidate A over B or is that just a myth.
Such a violation should lead to loss of tax-free status. Unfortunately, there is no law covering it. (Don't mess with religion.)
By the way, do you go to Church? Because I do. In Illinois growing up and in Texas where I live. Not once has a Pastor or Minister mentioned politics or Candidates.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Donald_Trump_2016_presidential_campaign_endorsements#Religious_leaders Christian activist Ralph Reed in 2011Jim Bakker, televangelist, former Assemblies of God minister, convicted felon, and radio host.[548] Shmuley Boteach, Orthodox Jewish rabbi, author, TV host and public speaker[549] C.L. Bryant, Baptist minister, radio and television host[550] Mark Burns, pastor and co-founder of the South Carolina-based Christian TV network, The NOW Network[551] James Dobson, evangelical Protestant author, psychologist, and founder of Focus on the Family[citation needed] Jerry Falwell Jr., president of Liberty University[552][553] Jim Garlow, pastor of Skyline Church[554] Norman Geisler, Christian systematic theologian, philosopher, and co-founder of Southern Evangelical Seminary[555] John Hagee, founder and senior pastor of Cornerstone Church and CEO of Global Evangelism Television[556] Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas[557] Bill Johnson, pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, California[558] James F. Linzey, ordained minister in the Southern Baptist Convention[380] Eric Metaxas, author, speaker, and radio host[559] Mike Murdock, singer-songwriter, televangelist and pastor of the Wisdom Center ministry[560] Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life[6] Ralph E. Reed Jr., conservative activist, former director of the Christian Coalition, founder of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, and 2006 Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia[561] Pat Robertson, former Southern Baptist minister and chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network[562] Paula White, televangelist[563]
Clearly just reading it is too much for you. In plain black and white there is absolutely no prohibition for the federal government to spend money on religious institution, simply not establishing one. I'm all for just taking the Constitution at its word, if you don't like it, get an amendment...
Clearly you didn't read the post that I was responding to. It went into much more detail then yours and was quite lengthy with opinions on what the FF had in mind. Been there, done that.
It is incorrect. Taking means that it was given, and then removed. Not contributing means they never gave it in the first place. Why do left-wingers have such a hard time comprehending basic English?
As you were quoting me, that would be me who wrote the post. If you don't get that, or simply randomly reply to people without any rhyme or reason, not sure there's much to discuss. There is no Constitutional prohibition for spending federal dollars on already established religious institutions. Not sure why so many people can't understand what is so clearly written...
Non-sequitur. Do you want churches and religious establishments free to engage in politics including from the bench to their members, forming political parties? If you are going to tax them then there goes all the restrictions preventing them from directly participating in the political process.
"As you were quoting me, that would be me who wrote the post." How about that ! Way back in post 27 ! I've responded to five or six of you guys and you all sound alike to me.