I have been reading most of the diaries over the last few days regarding this whole Warren - Obama thing. I have to say there have been some great points made on all sides. That said, why don't we do something about the entire right wing evangelical hate spewing ideologues that use the 501 c3 articles to not pay any taxes. If we want to fix the problem why don't we put our money and power where it will do the most good, revoking the federal and state tax exempt status of any and all churches or organizations that were involved or have been involved in the politics of anti-equal Human Rights. A number of years ago
I had the opportunity to sit at a Christmas Midnight Eucharist at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena CA. The church had just been put in an awkward situation by the Federal Gov. They were under investigation for actively supporting political movements and positions. They were being threatened with the removal of their tax exempt status due to the churches' and clerics' strong anti war positions. They fought it but I have to say it really shut down the rhetoric coming from the pulpit for quite some time.
If we as progressives want to combat this evangelical ideological plague we must begin to use all the powers that are available to us. The Mormons, Catholics and Evangelic churches were all involved in the passage of Prop 8. Why should they have tax exempt status if they are going to use their pulpits to get amendments to state constitutions passed into law. It is not only wrong that they have this special status but it is also illegal. The Mormons have become quite adept at getting around the rules regarding 501 c3 status, but all that means is we have to get the laws changed so they are not allowed to use their power and money to oppress portions of our population while not paying taxes and allowing their members to get a tax deduction for supporting hate and bigotry. This is the real issue we should be worrying about as opposed to the politics of who is praying at what inauguration.
Lets put our immense power to work removing Religion from Politics permanently. While we have a window of opportunity to reform the rules regarding what constitutes influence and what doesn't. What church would jeopardize their precious tax exempt status to continue a culture war that they are going to lose anyway?
Imagine a political world where politicians didn't have to worry about what the Arch Bishop thought or what the now in the hell of his own making Jerry Falwell had thought. Where Rick Warren makes no difference because if he says anything political whatsoever he now gets to pay tax on all that money his little ole churches bring in every Sunday. Where the Mormons no longer have any power to change secular laws because the laws don't fit their idea of Family Values.
All we have to do is get a little amendment added to the next appropriations bill to revise the qualifications of 501 c3 organizations and then let the IRS go after any church or Religious non profit org that so much as opens it trap regarding any secular law, period. They have the right to talk all they wish about spiritual laws and what they believe, just keep it out of our government!!!
Updated: for clarification, Religious non profits, I agree with the comment by davidkc about the need for secular non profit study groups.