Bernie Sanders Says He'd Let Religious Groups Against Gay Marriage Stay Tax-Exempt

[Playinghardball]

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on Sunday highlighted his record on LGBT rights but stopped short of endorsing the removal of tax-exempt status from religious organizations that refuse to recognize same-sex marriages, which were recently legalized nationwide by the Supreme Court.

“I don't know that I would go there,” the Vermont senator said on CNN's State of the Union. “You know, we have religious freedom and I respect people who have different points of view. But my view is that people have a right to love each other regardless of one's sexual orientation.”

The senator, who describes himself as an independent socialist, was speaking from Iowa, where he drew another crowd of thousands on Saturday amid positive movement in primary polls. During the interview, he made a jab in the direction of Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, bringing up her husband's signing of the Defense of Marriage Act.

“I voted against the DOMA act, the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, way back in 1996, that was signed by President Clinton, because I think if people are in love they should be able to get married in this country, in 50 states in America, and I strongly support what the Supreme Court recently said.”

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-07-05/bernie-sanders-says-he-d-let-religious-groups-against-gay-marriage-stay-tax-exempt

[still_one]

1. It is live and let live. Ironically, those religious groups where he is protecting their rights,

want to impose their dogma on others who do not subscribe to their thinking. In fact they are trying to push this back into the courts with the argument that same sex marriage is infringing on their freedom of religion.

Of course conveniently ignoring the separation of church and state

Sanders is correct in his view I believe.

[merrily]

2. Religious groups are tax exempt. The First Amendment prohibit discriminating on the basis of content

of speech. Ergo, Bernie has only two ways to go on this:

1. Say he will eliminate tax benefits for ALL religious groups

2. Say he will not discriminate on the basis of content of speech.

The Bloomberg writer should know better. Also, Bernie is running as a Democrat, not an Indie, and he describes himself as a Democratic Socialist. It takes not take a rocket scientist to see what this bloomberg writer is trying to do.

[BrotherIvan]

6. Yes, but this will be a new talking point

Just like the gun nut posts floating around right now. I think we should not fight it and let it sink. His record on gay rights is head and shoulders above any other candidate so this is just going to be hurling shit.

[merrily]

8. Yes Smears and insinuations abound. Proof is non-existent.

[retrowire]

3. So...

This is Bernie saying that religious groups that don't respect the supreme courts decision don't have to pay taxes? Doesn't that benefit the people that discriminate?

[TBF]

4. Churches (religious groups) already get special tax treatment -

all the article is saying is that Bernie wouldn't change that.

Some folks feel churches should lose their tax exempt status if they refuse to marry LGBTQ. Personally I don't have strong feelings on this issue, but that is partly because I don't understand the ins and outs of constitutional law the way an attorney does. I don't know if it would be possible for them to lose their tax exempt status at all. Churches are an entity that have always been tax exempt in this country as far as I know. Someone who understands how this all works legally (or legislatively?) would have to weigh in and explain it I guess. And explain what it would take for them to lose tax exempt status if it is possible.

[L0oniX]

5. If the pulpit is being used for an anti constitutional agenda then they should lose their exempt.

Adding: human rights as well. Another purpose of the regulation is to keep churches from becoming a driver of votes for candidates which seems to be violated all the time as many churches are where people can vote or register to vote ...which really pisses me off to no end.

[BrotherIvan]

7. But they are doing it now and no President has gone after it

In fact all presidents funnel quite a bit of money to churches who discriminate with faith-based initiatives. Obama has done little to curb it. I think all churches should lose their tax exempt status to be fair. But that's because while I'm sure there are still churches who do good works, there are plenty more who take advantage.

[merrily]

9. I'd be fine with dropping the religous tax exemption. If indeed they are doing

good works, let them qualify as a charity, which is also tax exempt. I guess, though, they could also qualify as educational, given they teach the Bible.

It's tough.