Why I am proud to be a member of the Freedom from Religion Foundation (ffrf.org)
This kind of thing:
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/08/20/irs-faces-lawsuit-for-failing-to-enforce-church-electioneering-ban/
IRS faces lawsuit for failing to enforce church electioneering ban
By Eric W. Dolan
Tuesday, August 20, 2013 20:55 EDT
The Internal Revenue Service was unable to suppress a lawsuit over its failure to audit thousand of churches that allegedly violated federal tax law by engaging in partisan advocacy.
U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman of the Western District of Wisconsin on Monday denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the Freedom From Religion Foundation against the IRS.
“If it is true that the IRS has a policy of not enforcing the prohibition on campaigning against religious organizations, then the IRS is conferring a benefit on religious organizations (the ability to participate in political campaigns) that it denies to all other 501(c)(3) organizations, including the Foundation,” Adelman wrote.
The Internal Revenue Code prohibits tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations, including churches, from intervening or participating in political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate.
But many churches have openly defied the ban without consequences. In an annual event called “Pulpit Freedom Sunday,” pastors from more than 1,000 churches have challenged the regulation by preaching about political topics. Some pastors even record their overtly partisan sermons and send them to the IRS.
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I don't like how they get a free pass when some (several) are nothing more than moneymakers for their "deacons". Lets pick a value that once the church's property and assets and payouts to staff reach a certain level, that we then tax them. These multimillion dollar setups and uber megachurches can afford to pay their share and shouldnt be able to use the word "church" to dodge taxes.
No taxes...
You have to pay...
