Christian Message Boards: IRS Crackdown on Church

This is topic IRS Crackdown on Church in forum The Christian News at Christian Message Boards.

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Posted by David (Member # 1) on :

These days, it appears there's a fine line between making a moral and a political statement.

That's what more and more pastors are finding out as IRS probes enter their churches' doors with threats of removing their tax-exempt status.

Last year, the IRS reported that 37 out of 40 churches were investigated for political activity after the 2004 election. They were issued warnings or penalized with excise taxes for violating the law, yet none lost their tax exemptions.

Read on, click here...

I sure hope the Church don't start selling out the the goverment. If they do, then you can consider them just a country club and not really devoted to serving our King Jesus Christ.

Posted by WKUHilltopper (Member # 5472) on :

Wonder how these hypocrites would treat Martin Luther King, Jr when he invoked Scriptures? They'd hide under a rock like the vermin they are...

Posted by corriee (Member # 6705) on :

I hope this isn't taken the wrong way, but I think some of the big churches should be taxed on everything but the sanctuary and some Sunday School rooms.
Churches that have book stores, cafe's and gym's and what ever else, should pay taxes in my opinion.
I know I am old fashioned but I don't think these block big things should be tax free.
Just my 2 cents worth...I probably would not vote for taxing churches, but I still don't think it is right that they take advantage.

Posted by Betty Lou (Member # 6713) on :

I don't see Churches that have gyms and such as doing anything wrong. I don't have a problem with Church using such things to reach the youth. I would vote against taxing any Church. I go to a Church that is quite small, less then 75 people, but I have gone to a Church for 4 years that had a gym. It was used for the glory of God. We had UpBeat Basketball and we had testimonies of many families who never had been to Church before they came to see their kids play at the Church. The Associate Pastor preached the plan of salvation in between games.
The Pastors of that Church always taught the truth of the Gospel.
If we were to open the door to tax Churches even a crack, the government would soon be telling Pastors what they can or cannot Preach.
I only stopped going to that Church because we move 2 hours away.
betty

Posted by corriee (Member # 6705) on :

Hi Betty, I am fine with that. I just think that it should be taxed. It isn't and I am not active in seeing it be taxed. I have just thought about it and I decided that anything beyond the sanctuary and some Sunday School rooms are not 'church'. I understand that they can be used for God and I think that is great. But I still don't see it as a part of 'church'..it is something this church wants to do to serve God and that isn't a problem, but they should be paying taxes on it in my opinion.

Posted by Betty Lou (Member # 6713) on :

I still don't believe they should be taxed. I know at the Church with the upbeat program, not only did they provide free day care for unwed moms, who agree not to have an abortion, but they provided schooling for education. Many of us want our children in Christian Schools, and even with tuition, Christian schools barely break even, if at all.
betty

Posted by corriee (Member # 6705) on :

I know Christian schools are expensive,I paid for my grandchild go to one for three years. It was the best money I ever spent. I am thankful for these schools. I think it is good that churches have these social programs to help with unwed moms and babies. They are just that, social programs, not church. God Bless you (and me) I am probably wrong in my thinking. just pray for me.
In Christ

Posted by Betty Lou (Member # 6713) on :

Honey, I would never say you were wrong. We are different people and of course we have different views. Our Pastor's wife at our last Church, taught at the Christian Church and she was able many times to pray with children who accepted Jesus as their Savior in School. I see Christian School as an arm of the Church. I do not see it as social at all, but that does not make me better then you.
I talk to parents all the time, who's kids go to public school and it is frightening what public schools are teaching children now days. I believe Churches should be taxed-exempt because they are a non profit organization. Anything Churches make go back into the Church to help provide for people and their needs.

Posted by BrianGrass1234 (Member # 5845) on :

Just get rid of the IRS all together. Do you want the government having influence over what is said in your church?

Posted by corriee (Member # 6705) on :

I will vote for that, where do we sign up?