Did you know ALL churches who are 501(c)(3) tax exempted are controled by the U

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   graceinusposted 9 years ago

   Did you know  ALL churches who are 501(c)(3) tax exempted are controled by the U.S. Government?
   
   If your church has the 501(c)(3) tax exemption then the clergy of these churches CAN NOT speak out against Government officals who support laws which violate a number of bible principals. Also the clergies of churches can not show support for or against a polical parties or speak out directly against the president and other members of government if his/her policies are in direct conflict with the bible. And did you know that if or should a clergy speak out to their members againts the president and/or govement officals is grounds for the governmet to remove the 501 (c)(3) tax exemption status.

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   Rich kelleyposted 9 years ago

   There is very little difference between the religious leaders today and those in the time of Christ. Today the government grants certain "Things" as did the Roman Government in the time of Christ. Both systems were/are allowed to exist but there are many rules that if broken will remove the status they so covet. All of the required money to support the system needs to be deductible else there will be no money. The right hand will know what the left hand is doing or else.
   
   The hireling is a root cause of much of the problem. The New Testament Ekklesia looked nothing like what is on the earth today claiming to be the "church". The gifts that Paul speaks of to build up the body to a full revelation of Christ are all for sale. You can go to school to learn to do all of them. Today without the schooling no one takes you seriously. If you are professionally unschooled then you know how the original disciples felt among the religious leaders and plebs. The financial status with the federal government is but the tip of the ice berg.

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      graceinusposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Rich- I agree 100% and thanks for your answer.

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      PlanksandNailsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Good point Rich,
      "The hireling is a root cause of much of the problem," but the people desire to have a CEO to run their corporate business entity called "senior pastor," who lives off of their backs.

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      Rich kelleyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Jeremiah 5:31  The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests exercise rule at their own hands and by means of the prophets. And My people love to have it so! But what will you do when the end comes?

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   Zelkiiroposted 9 years ago

   If you want to play in the political arena, you need to pay the entry fee (a.k.a. taxes) like everyone else. If you're tax-exempt, you don't get to participate.

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      graceinusposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      It's not a matter of the polical arena. It's a matter of right and wrong. And most clergy who relie on the 501 (c)(3) tax exempltion for their "church" are greedy and cowards. Thanks for your answer.

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   PlanksandNailsposted 9 years ago

   ALL man driven churches in America are organized as 501c3 tax-exempt religious corporate organizations. A 501(c)(3) church cannot openly speak out, or organize in opposition to anything that the government declares "legal," even if it is immoral; otherwise, that church will jeopardize its tax exempt status.
   
   Jesus Christ is NOT the Head of the modern antichrist church system. We should know this fact because they have formed a contract with the civil authorities putting themselves in submission to the authority of the State; therefore, the State has the right to govern the actions, contracts and practices.
   
   These corporate denominational church entities give lip service to Jesus Christ, but deny him by their actions.
   
   The modern Church system is in bed with the government system. Their lust for power, recognition and the monetary makes the Gospel of no effect by promoting their man-made traditions.
   
   There are many who are blinded to seeing the carnal money driven agendas of the churches they attend. The sad fact is that even though this truth is presented to them they, will censor you, deride you character and twist Scripture to justify their agenda.
   
   For such men are false apostles, DECEITFUL workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So IT IS NO SURPRISE IF HIS SERVANTS, ALSO, DISGUISE THEMSELVES AS SERVANTS OF. Their end will correspond to their deeds. - 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

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      graceinusposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      PandN- Research has revealed that Catholic, Baptists, Mormons, JW, SDA and more more churches out these have the 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.In these you will never hearthem (clergy)speak out against government policies that violate bible principals.

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      PlanksandNailsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      A 501(c)(3) entity is a corporation, being an artificial person. An the artificial entity called church is a counterfeit of the real thing.  The Ekklesia in contrast are LIVING stones being built up by Jesus Christ as a spiritual house.

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      graceinusposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      PandN- I agree. Thank you very much for a great answer and comment.

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   celafoeposted 9 years ago

   by becoming a corporation  they admit they are a BUSINESS.     This also ties them to comply with all governmet laws, edicts. requirements etc and makes the Government their father instead of God so they no longer have any "religious exemptions.",  BUT they get to handle lots of money, which is their goal.
   THE FUNNY THING about this is that the supreme court ruled many years ago that a group acting as a "church", following the the rules of that group does not need any Government authority to do so and is afforded all the exemptions and things they want as long as proper records are kept.
   In their greed they actually outsmarted themselves and exposed their true position, as a business, not a ministry.

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      PlanksandNailsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      If the Church is a business, then what does it make of the people who attend it?
      
      Merchandise!

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      celafoeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Amen

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      graceinusposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      celafoe- Thanks for your answer. Like you said it's a business for those who make a profit so they sould call it  "Church Inc."
      And it shouldn't be left out that many so called "ministries" are the same.

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      celafoeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      grace-- just thinking, i believe the law requires that all corporations have either inc, incorporated, limited or such be a part of their names as a warning for people to know who they are dealing with, a govt entity

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      graceinusposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks celafoe, I'm aware of it.

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   tsadjatkoposted 9 years ago

   
   
   Interesting. This is great bringing attention to this! Restrictions on churches in 501(c)(3) are unconstitutional. The passage of the Johnson Amendment in 1954 added a restriction to 501(c)(3) that allows the IRS to censor a pastor’s sermon from the pulpit.
   
   This is unconstitutional, but when you say "if or should a clergy speak out to their members against the president and/or government officials is grounds for the government to remove the 501 (c)(3) tax exemption status" explain to me why Pulpit Freedom Sunday churches aren't losing their tax exempt status.They stand and boldly confront the unconstitutional restriction to regain the right of pastors to speak freely from their pulpits without any restriction.  Pastors are visiting their website and signing up to participate in Pulpit Freedom Sunday. http://www.alliancedefendingfreedom.org/pulpitfreedom
   
   It appears instead of complaining about it some churches are doing something about it. Pulpit freedom is encouraging Pastors to sign up to "Preach an Election Sermon - Help us challenge the Johnson Amendment in court". They say:
   
   "When you sign up to preach an election sermon, you are doing what the Constitution has always protected, and if the IRS chooses to use the Johnson Amendment against you, contact us. We’ve been waiting to take it to court."
   
   So, how about it,, you sign up yet? Maybe it's time you put your money where your mouth is, so to speak. Or is it heresy for you to even associate with such "greedy" churches.

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      Zelkiiroposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      The limitations only apply if you are in the tax-exempt status. If the church pays taxes on its income, then it can preach whatever the hell it wants.

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      graceinusposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Tsad- I'll assume for the moment that you don't know that 501(c)(3) is something a church applies for through the IRS. As far as I'm concern the "churches" asked for their problems. In 501 (c) 3) code there is no seperation between church and state.

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      Rich kelleyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Funny how the problems Peter had were with the "Religious" not the Government. Money wasn't an issue in the NT yet today it is the subject of cute sermons to attract the plebs to their seats. I don't remember Christ preaching about the constitution.

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      graceinusposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Tsad- You seem to think there is some requirement on my part to answer your question. I gave you my reply.  I can delete your answer in a heart beat big mouth.

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   dashingscorpioposted 9 years ago

   I've seen numerous minsters and priests as (individuals) support opposition candidates of a sitting president. It would be unconstitutional for any citizen to be denied their "free speech".
   Having said that it's not legal for non-profit organizations to funnel money to campaigns. Section 501(c)(3) organizations may engage in some activities to promote voter registration, encourage voter participation, and provide voter education, but they can’t engage in activities that favor or oppose any candidate for public office.
   Another activity that can potentially jeopardize an organization’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status is having too much income generated from activities that are unrelated to the exempt function of the organization.
   The purpose of a being a tax exempt organization is to provide a service or charitable donations to help people in need not to become a "tax free" Political Action Committee!
   To collect money tax free under the guise of feeding the poor, providing shelter for battered women and then turn use that money otherwise is an abomination for those who donated money to the organization. It's misrepresentation of the purpose of the organization.
   One of the non-profit organizations my wife and I make donations to is the Cancer Federation. If I found out they were using donations for political purposes instead of helping people with cancer I'd discontinue supporting them!
   It's unreasonable to expect to get tax free revenue for the use of influencing government decisions. That's not the purpose of a non-profit organization. Setting up a PAC shouldn't be tax free.

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      graceinusposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      dashingscorpio- It's my opinion that no church should received 501(c)(3). This code prevents them from speaking out against issue that Government or Government officals support that is in violation of bible principals. Its money churches care about.

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      dashingscorpioposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Churches aren't forced to file for 501(c) tax exempt status. They (want) to tax free benefits! They may not "officially" endorse candidates but candidates pretty much knows who their "supporters" are. Apparently tax free money is more important.

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      graceinusposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      dashingscorpio- I realize there are a few churches out there who have not and will not apply for the 501(c)(3) tax exemption. But they are as rare as hens teeth.

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