Political signs in church yard?

[randr]

A local church has several republican political signs set way over against their fence. Is this legal here in Colorado or anywhere for that matter?
I am going to take pictures the next time I go by and would like to know who I can contact.

[Sydnie]

1. The IRS

They have the power to investigate and take their exempt status too.

[rosesaylavee]

2. Send the photos to the IRS. n/t

[Richard Steele]

3. Send the IRS lots of photos. nm

[Poiuyt]

4. Isn't it okay for a church to post political signs regarding issues?

I ask because the local Unitarian Fellowship has (or had) a sign advocating against a gay marriage referendum

[gfnrob]

5. Policies are one thing, candidates, cross the line.

[TechBear_Seattle]

6. That starts to get iffy

Generally....

If the sign is in support of equal marriage or speaks against opponents of equal marriage, and does so in general terms, that is acceptable: promoting a social-issues position falls firmly within the purvue of a church. If it mentions a ballot measure or candidate by name, then it becomes political advocacy and becomes a violation of the laws regulating 501(3)(c) corporations.

[Ino]

18. If it mentions a ballot measure...

So a sign saying "Vote NO on Amendment 2" in front of a church is a no-no? (Amendment 2 is about stem-cell)

[TechBear_Seattle]

26. I believe so

However, define "in front of a church." If it is on a public median or other piece of property that does not, strictly speaking, belong to the church (usually, the grassy area between the street and sidewalk is technically city right-of-way and does not belong to the property owner) then a sign there is legal, as it is not on church property. On the other hand, being public property, there is no reason one could not put up a "Vote YES on Amendment 2" sign immediately right next to it.

[Critters2]

43. No. Churches can take positions on non-partisan referenda

and yes, however partisan it feels, stem cell is NOT a partisan issue. A church can take a position on this. It can not support a party or individual candidate.

[Critters2]

42. Churches can campaign for non-partisan referendum issues

but not for individuals or parties. If they're doing this, they're violating their 501c3 status.

[liberal N proud]

7. Turn them in, it is direct violation of church and state.

Take pictures of the signs and make sure the church sign is in the background and send copies to the IRS and to local news papers.
Call the local TV stations. Do you have a TV station with an investigative reporter? Call them, proved video and pictures.

Nail these theocrats to the wall.

[Ravy]

9. It is not a violation of church and state.

Church and state prevents the state from endorsing religion, not the other way around. It is a violation of the IRS statutes, if anything.

[ck4829]

8. Tell the IRS that there are signs endorsing Democrats on the Church's property

And they'll be there double quick.

[mediacenter]

10. Does it

Really matter?

[Tesha]

12. Yes, it really matters. (NT)

[mediacenter]

28. You do realize

that during the election season there are literally thousands of signs everywhere.It is a fact that many signs are put up without approval from the property owner.If we are to follow the model that a church can't have signs then what about public land?

[Kerrytravelers]

34. Churches are tax exempted. Public land is just that- public.

Churches can not endorse candidates nor particular measures. They can endorse ideas. If these signs were put there by the church, it is wrong. If they were hung there by outside parties, then the church will not be found in violation of IRS code and nothing will happen.


Seems your very short time here has been spent being very combative.

[Critters2]

44. Churches can support referendum positions. nt

[Kerrytravelers]

46. Ok. So long as they are following the rules, fine.

Liberal or conservative, they have to follow the rules as currently set.

[Critters2]

50. My point precisely nt

[greenbriar]

13. uhhhhh duh

what a tard

[mediacenter]

29. I beg your pardon

I am not looking for a fight here but I don't appreciate your condescending attitude and calling me a tard, you don't know me.As long as I am a member here I have the right to express my opinion without being attacked.

[Richard Steele]

33. Key words being "as long as I am a member here".

Tard.

[Kerrytravelers]

35. LOL!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:


And what would you like on your tombstone? I vote for extra cheese!

[Richard Steele]

36. And sausage.

The RWers all secretly CRAVE sausage.

[Blue-Jay]

40. Daahahaha!

[Richard Steele]

41. And 'tweren't LONG, neither! BTW, check this out:

[Kerrytravelers]

47. OMG! I love penguins. I've been collecting for years... long before the movie

March of the Penguins.

How cute!

[Kerrytravelers]

14. You forgot the sarcasm emoticon.

Click "Smilies lookup table," scroll down and there it is, between the "rant" and the 'woo hoo."

See -------> :sarcasm:

[mondo joe]

15. Does their tax exemption matter to them?

Looks like it doesn't.

[Raine]

16. Yes it does...

I hope your question "Does it really matter" is sarcastic.

[Kerrytravelers]

19. I'm not sure you really care.

Suggesting that anyone who records a right-wing church sermon in an effort to be sure they're not endorsing candidates is something a Nazi would do?http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2574677





And, just because I'm curious, these posts also intrigued me.

Suggesting torture is really only a matter of definition? http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2575709#2575738


Hollywood Elite? http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2510686#2511085

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Kerrytravelers]

22. I'm not for calling out newbies, as I was once new as well.

I'm just curious about some verbiage used and the reasoning behind it.

I'd be very happy if I was simply misreading the intention.

[Gelliebeans]

25. Verbiage is usually

a good indicator. ;)

[mediacenter]

31. ????

Inflammatory?? Just because I have a different outlook? Am I suppose to just say I agree so I don't upset someone? I thought that is what this forum was about....a different opinion.

[mediacenter]

27. I have a fan

Thanks..but was I foolish to believe that I could express my opinion at DU. A statement of truth or common sense does not mean that I am a Freeper or support them.

[Kerrytravelers]

32. No, you don't have a fan.

Or a stalker. You have someone who knows how to use the search feature and pass the information along to the proper parties.



Edit to add: Post #27 got my attention, as well.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2574677#2578058

[Sydnie]

49. But, this in your profile does!

[Kerrytravelers]

37. Buh-bye!

[mnhtnbb]

11. Send pictures to Americans United for Separation of Church & State

here's the link. They're very good about following up with the IRS on these violations of tax code.

http://www.au.org/site/PageServer

[MzNov]

17. Also, contact CREW in Wash. DC.

they are monitoring the non-profit 501(c)(3) / politics violations.

:dem:

[ScreamingMeemie]

20. Before I went willy nilly contacting the IRS I would notify the pastor.

Odds are he/she my not know about it and it's some idiot member. The Catholic Church in our neighborhood had to take to the pulpit to set the parishioners straight about not doing this. :hi: I'd be a good neighbor first. :hi:

[Kerrytravelers]

23. Take pictures, call the church and then go from there.

Good advice, as always!

[ScreamingMeemie]

24. Great Idea KT!

:hi:

[randr]

38. Thanks--That is what I did and was informed

that a neighbor had put the signs on the opposite side of his fence.
What a chicken shit!

[Kerrytravelers]

39. Glad it all worked out.

Hopefully, the signs were moved to the correct location.

[Clark2008]

30. Are they a polling place?

If so, then they probably can have signs beyond 100 feet of the voting booths.

[randr]

51. No they are not

and as I posted earlier the issue was resolved by calling the church and being informed that the next door neighbor had put the signs on the other side of his fence out of shame I would guess.

[DemBones DemBones]

45. I have an idea you might like. . .

Maybe you could talk to the pastor -- or whoever you talked to -- again to say it concerns you that other people may think what you thought: that the church is breaking the law. Then you could nicely suggest that it would be a good thing for the church to post big blank signs (or signs with a religious message, which are legal on church property) to block the signs that appear to be on their property. Point out that it would show that the church is concerned about even giving the appearance of violating the law, as you're sure they are. ;-)

All he can do is say "no" and it's possible he'll go along with the idea.

[Kerrytravelers]

48. Very good idea!