Y'all said this wouldn't happen

[BedellBrave]

If true, the slide down the slippery slope continues despite the assurances of many of you that this type stuff wouldn't happen here...

Link

 

[Julio3000]

I would prefer to read a news article rather than an editorial piece in order to understand what's what, here.

I do have a quibble here, though. The author is talking about preventing the exercise of religion or worship. Is the potential removal of tax-exempt status the same thing?

 

[Metaphysicist]

This is an editorial that's says literally nothing has happened to anyone.

 

[BedellBrave]

You guys are funny. Sure nothing has happened yet. Kind of obvious. The agreement is that they would begin to monitor.

I do wonder how many next steps will need to be taken in the coming years before some of you would say, "well you know you may have a point there Bedell."

I wonder if the IRS will monitor other non-profits in a similar fashion.

 

[Gary82]

damn evil atheists.

 

[Gary82]

Congress can make no laws prohibiting the free exercise of religion. So it's not clear where the IRS gets off doing just that by spying on religious leaders lest they comment on issues and activities by government that are contrary to or impose on their religious consciences. Our country was founded by people fleeing this kind of government-monitored and mandated theology last practiced in the Soviet Union.

I enjoyed this paragraph.

 

[BedellBrave]

damn evil atheists.

Atheists don't believe in damnation and anyway, that's beside the point.

 

[Gary82]

Atheists don't believe in damnation

This is true.

 

[BedellBrave]

And convenient.

 

[Gary82]

And convenient.

quite!

 

[BedellBrave]

And a gamble.

 

[Gary82]

And a gamble.

It's a gamble if you're a theist, too. What if you pick the wrong God(s) to worship?

 

[BedellBrave]

It's a gamble if you're a theist, too. What if you pick the wrong God(s) to worship?

Sure. Though much of that can be easily enough considered.

 

[Gary82]

Sure. Though much of that can be easily enough considered.

easy peasy lemon squeezy

 

[goldfly]

the churches should be taxed

 

[AerchAngel]

the churches should be taxed

and how would you do that, have a cash register at collection time? An Ipad to swipe people credit cards? An auditor at every church during collection?

Good luck with that.

Priests and pastors pay taxes on their income, you can't get around that.

 

[Coredor]

If topics come up about how the congregation should behave that's one thing. However if there is discussion of elections and politicians that is a problem. Of course it could only be enforced in egregious instances and not all churches who do it are conservative. However if preachers are standing up there railing about politically charged issues around election day then there is a problem.

 

[Julio3000]

You guys are funny. Sure nothing has happened yet. Kind of obvious. The agreement is that they would begin to monitor.

I do wonder how many next steps will need to be taken in the coming years before some of you would say, "well you know you may have a point there Bedell."

I wonder if the IRS will monitor other non-profits in a similar fashion.

You're certain they don't?

 

[Gary82]

and how would you do that, have a cash register at collection time? An Ipad to swipe people credit cards? An auditor at every church during collection?

Good luck with that.

Priests and pastors pay taxes on their income, you can't get around that.

Collection plates with a terminal to swipe credit cards and debit cards is genius! Not for tax purposes, just in general.

 

[BedellBrave]

You're certain they don't?

Well no, but I haven't read any statement or article or editorial that they would say monitor, the "Humanist Society of Vermont"'s meetings or the "Alliance to Save the Fuzzy Snails"'s gatherings or the "Federation for Polygamy's Legalization"'s discussions. No, just this statement that they will monitor churches. Monitor churches.