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Politics and the Corporate 'Church'
Religious tax-exemption in jeopardy
The majority of 'churches' in America are organized as non-profit tax-exempt corporations in compliance with the IRS 501(c)(3) tax code. The multiplied millions of dollars in income taken in annually from collections, along with sales of religious materials, are tax-free. Rules of 501(c)(3): To be tax-exempt as an organization described in IRS Section 501(c)(3) of the Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for one or more of the purposes set forth in IRS Section 501(c)(3) and none of the earnings of the organization may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate at all in campaign activity for or against political candidates. In the 2004 presidential campaign – as always – ethics and religion play key roles in the debate, and voters from both wings of the political spectrum are heavily influenced by both 'church' leaders, and the actual candidate's perceived morality of or lack thereof. This time around, President Bush’s top political advisor Karl Rove is spearheading an even more aggressive courting of the "religious right." The Bush campaign believes that at least four million conservative 'Christian' voters didn't go to the polls in the 2000 election – a result it can ill-afford to see repeated. This year's campaign strategy includes increased mobilizing of 'churches', obtaining directories of "friendly churches", arranging for pastors to hold voter-registration drives, and discussing the campaign with various religious groups. Many pastors believe it to be their religious duty as 'Christians' to get their congregations to the polls. For example, a 'Rev.' Gerald Davidson, pastor of the 5,000-member First Baptist Church of Arnold, Missouri has recently stated, "I say, don't let your labor union, don't let the teachers groups and all the other different groups tell you how to vote - you vote the way the way the word of God tells you to vote." The rules of the 501(c)(3) have caused quite a dilemma for many 'evangelicals' in this tight and charged presidential race. As a whole, the 'religious-right' fervently supports the President on the basic 'conservative' agenda: 1) opposing abortion, 2) a constitutional amendment banning 'same-sex marriages', 3) opposition to stem cell research, and 4) Bush's decision to go to war in Iraq. Some religious leaders, however, are angered by what they perceive as overly aggressive tactics on the part of the Bush Campaign. A 'Rev.' Welton Gaddy, president of the 'Interfaith Alliance' has recently observed, "We are alarmed that this initiative by the Bush-Cheney campaign could lure religious organizations and religious leaders into dangerous territory where they risk losing their tax-exempt status and could be violating the law." The 2004 Presidential election campaign has clearly exposed the compromised position of today's religious leaders and organizations. Ministers and 'churches' that actively support a particular candidate are at risk of losing their tax-exempt "status." This year's Presidential election is shaping up as a real cultural point of decision – and one that could well be the catalyst that leads to a collapse of incorporated "church" businesses. This much is for certain: Just as with many other corporate businesses, many so-called church organizations, mostly from the "religious right", will soon be required to pay taxes – and soon be unable to remain viable under a fair and overdue tax burden. Justice will prevail, and Kingdom order will be established. Links:
Churches See an Election Role and Spread the Word on Bushhttp://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/09/politics/campaign/09church.html
Baptists angry at Bush campaign tactics |
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Prophet's Commentary |
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