Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Religion Couldn't Happen to a Nicer Church
Posted by Dan Savage on Tue, Nov 25, 2008 at 7:17 AM
California is investigating Magic Underpants, Inc..
California's Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) confirmed Monday that it will investigate allegations that the LDS Church failed to report nonmonetary contributions to the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign.... Karger, a retired political consultant, alleged in his complaint that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints failed to report money invested to organize phone banks, send out direct mailers, provide transportation to California, mobilize a speakers bureau, send out satellite simulcasts and develop Web sites as well as numerous commercials and video broadcasts.
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4
Yes. I say remove their tax exempt status immediately. They deserve it for more than just the Prop 8 stupidity.
Isn't it funny how the Mormons are suddenly more infamous than Scientology for the first time in decades?
Which is not to say Scientology isn't still fucked-up cult followers of a crappy science-fiction writer, but moreso that they are no longer priority number one. Leave it to the Mormons to overshadow the nuts with more nuttiness.
Isn't it funny how the Mormons are suddenly more infamous than Scientology for the first time in decades?
Which is not to say Scientology isn't still fucked-up cult followers of a crappy science-fiction writer, but moreso that they are no longer priority number one. Leave it to the Mormons to overshadow the nuts with more nuttiness.
5
Definitely take away their tax-exempt status. Let them feel what it's like to have rights taken away.
8
Seriously though... is there some sort of class action potential for suing churches for the back taxes they should owe once they became political entities? Why should I pay more taxes to cover them? Any legal eagles out there that know if this idea has any teeth?
9
So fucking what? Fine tax the crap out of LDS, feel all the revenge you want. It is completly pointless since it does nothing to reverse the vote. LDS has plenty of money, they can pay whatever it is and not be hurting at all. They still won.
Look LDS didn't really do anything terribly wrong. They paid for a supported something they believed in. They did it by broadcasting lies.
Where was everybody else? Where were the democrats? Where were the counter ads? Where were the fucking politicians who supported gay marrage to begin with? They al fucking went AWOL when they were most needed.
It is not like the LDS involvment was a surprise after the fact. Nor is it at all what LDS did. This is about what every one else, people in power, people with a voice, people with money- let them get away with. The no on prop 8 committee said themselves they got a late start.
So now we are blaming the mormons? They stood up for what they believed in. Where was everbody else?
Look LDS didn't really do anything terribly wrong. They paid for a supported something they believed in. They did it by broadcasting lies.
Where was everybody else? Where were the democrats? Where were the counter ads? Where were the fucking politicians who supported gay marrage to begin with? They al fucking went AWOL when they were most needed.
It is not like the LDS involvment was a surprise after the fact. Nor is it at all what LDS did. This is about what every one else, people in power, people with a voice, people with money- let them get away with. The no on prop 8 committee said themselves they got a late start.
So now we are blaming the mormons? They stood up for what they believed in. Where was everbody else?
10
I'm making my bets right now that the investigation will end up finding no wrong doing.
Religious freedom, which is a concept that's carried out to its extremes here will trump any violation committed by the LSD church.
Religious freedom, which is a concept that's carried out to its extremes here will trump any violation committed by the LSD church.
11
Ha, the LSD Church! They came from Planet Claire....drove a plymouth satellite...faster than the speed of light...
12
GDC-- you're missing the point... churches far extend their reach and lobbying power outside of the legal boundaries of their tax exempt status. It's not about "revenge", it's about the theocracy that this country has become. It's an issue that exists outside of the gay marriage maelstrom.
13
Dan, and Mormon haters, get a clue.
No violations, the SLC church issued messages to its members to get involved. Free speech, very protected political and religious free speech. Same shit, the press version, the Stranger uses all the time.
SLC reported the cost of sending someone to Calif. who met with the Yes folks. Good enough.
The rest happened in Calif from local folks acting on their beliefs.
By the way, there was a GIANT bunch of Christo Right folks on the yes side, had there only been Mormons, we would have won.
What is the Catholic and Evangelical vote in Calif.? Must be 20 times the Mormon vote.
Just wish we could get a grip on how poorly the No campaign was run.
Where was their 500,000 big ticket fundraiser in Seattle, NONE.
And, can you believe, their net stuff was not working well and out of date .... Jesus, sweet Jesus, save me, save us all from the incompetent. Esp. in California ... all talk, no walk.
Prediction - the Calif Court will toss the election. In the end, Lady Justice will save our sorry asses in California.
No violations, the SLC church issued messages to its members to get involved. Free speech, very protected political and religious free speech. Same shit, the press version, the Stranger uses all the time.
SLC reported the cost of sending someone to Calif. who met with the Yes folks. Good enough.
The rest happened in Calif from local folks acting on their beliefs.
By the way, there was a GIANT bunch of Christo Right folks on the yes side, had there only been Mormons, we would have won.
What is the Catholic and Evangelical vote in Calif.? Must be 20 times the Mormon vote.
Just wish we could get a grip on how poorly the No campaign was run.
Where was their 500,000 big ticket fundraiser in Seattle, NONE.
And, can you believe, their net stuff was not working well and out of date .... Jesus, sweet Jesus, save me, save us all from the incompetent. Esp. in California ... all talk, no walk.
Prediction - the Calif Court will toss the election. In the end, Lady Justice will save our sorry asses in California.
14
#12
YOU do not understand. Non profits can spend 10 per cent of their gross income on political work.
Current IRS policy.
Pride Foundation in Seattle does limited political work, due to this ruling.
By the way, the conservatives churches are itching for this fight, they believe they enjoy TOTAL immunity from any regulations on their right to religious free speech.
That the state in not empowered to tell then how to function in ANY capacity regarding expressions of faith in all its thousands of parts.
Might be wise to let the bear sleep.
YOU do not understand. Non profits can spend 10 per cent of their gross income on political work.
Current IRS policy.
Pride Foundation in Seattle does limited political work, due to this ruling.
By the way, the conservatives churches are itching for this fight, they believe they enjoy TOTAL immunity from any regulations on their right to religious free speech.
That the state in not empowered to tell then how to function in ANY capacity regarding expressions of faith in all its thousands of parts.
Might be wise to let the bear sleep.
15
While churches are classified as 501c3 in the tax code, they are automatically exempt, and don't need to apply for this status. With that comes specific guidelines that churches must adhere to including (from the IRS website) "A church or religious organization will be regarded as attempting to influence legislation if it advocates the adoption or rejection of legislation."
What is the punishment? Loss of tax-exempt status and taxes on church income.
I'm a director at a non-profit, and know better than most the difference in lobbying and advocacy. The Mormom church, as well as churches that support specific candidates, are out of bounds.
What is the punishment? Loss of tax-exempt status and taxes on church income.
I'm a director at a non-profit, and know better than most the difference in lobbying and advocacy. The Mormom church, as well as churches that support specific candidates, are out of bounds.
16
Like with the adoption ruling in Florida, I have no idea how this will end, but it feels GOOD to at least have the issue out in the open.
I still suspect most people don't know how involved LDS was in the Prop 8 campaign. Shining light on the *truth* is never a bad thing. What will be seen is what will be seen...
I still suspect most people don't know how involved LDS was in the Prop 8 campaign. Shining light on the *truth* is never a bad thing. What will be seen is what will be seen...
17
#15
ISSUES ARE NOT CANDIDATES
this attempt to revoke tax status is dead on arrival and a vast waste of time
ISSUES ARE NOT CANDIDATES
this attempt to revoke tax status is dead on arrival and a vast waste of time
18
If we revoke tax-exempt status for Churches that meddled in Prop 8 will there be any Gay friendly churches left in California?
I don't think so.
I don't think so.
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