Tiger Eye Posted January 14, 2015 Group: Junior Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 9 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 118 Content Per Day: 0.03 Reputation: 52 Days Won: 0 Joined: 09/20/2014 Status: Offline Birthday: 07/31/1950 Share Posted January 14, 2015 At my Tuesday men's group, we discussed rules the government has, will, or could impose on the church, such as homosexual marriages, etc.. It all comes down to the tax exempt status. I proposed that if a church was unwilling to obey by the rules, then they should give up their tax exempt status, and then the rules would not apply to them. Nobody wanted to hear that. But what is right and what is wrong? Is it right to keep the status, don't pay taxes, and then refuse to obey the rules? Is that the example a church organization, representing Jesus Christ, should give to the world? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinky Posted January 14, 2015 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 200 Topics Per Day: 0.04 Content Count: 1,602 Content Per Day: 0.30 Reputation: 291 Days Won: 8 Joined: 10/24/2009 Status: Offline Birthday: 01/01/1986 Share Posted January 14, 2015 The government has no authority to tell preachers what to preach, nor whom they can marry. Tax exemption has more to do with a church endorsing politicians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Patriot21 Posted January 14, 2015 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 27 Topic Count: 338 Topics Per Day: 0.05 Content Count: 15,712 Content Per Day: 2.45 Reputation: 8,530 Days Won: 39 Joined: 10/25/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 02/27/1985 Share Posted January 14, 2015 In theory tinky your right however the threat to lose tax exemption is indeed a real one that's been thrown around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinky Posted January 14, 2015 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 200 Topics Per Day: 0.04 Content Count: 1,602 Content Per Day: 0.30 Reputation: 291 Days Won: 8 Joined: 10/24/2009 Status: Offline Birthday: 01/01/1986 Share Posted January 14, 2015 In theory tinky your right however the threat to lose tax exemption is indeed a real one that's been thrown around. I think the government is fearful of revoking tax exemption for churches because they wouldn't want unrestrained preaching against "certain" politicians and party. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shiloh357 Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Tax exemption precludes a church or pastor of a church from publicly endorsing a candidate for office or for promoting a particular political position. Gay marriage is not a political issue though it has entered into the realm of politics because politicians who have a vested interest in getting re-elected have made it a political issue. Marriage is God's domain and He alone defines marriage in His Word. For a pastor or a church, they cannot violate the precepts of Scripture for any reason. If the government says, promote gay marriage, or marry a gay couple or else lose your tax exempt status, I don't know of a good, Bible-believing church that wouldn't be willing to sacrifice that exemption for the sake of honoring God and His Word. There is no way on this earth that my church would endorse gay marriage and if we lose our tax exempt status over it, then fine. Take it away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riverwalker Posted January 14, 2015 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 2 Topic Count: 92 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 2,054 Content Per Day: 0.60 Reputation: 1,753 Days Won: 4 Joined: 12/09/2014 Status: Offline Share Posted January 14, 2015 Tax exempt status keys upon the church being a NON PROFIT organization, if it shows no profit it pays no taxes Now the liberals might try to revoke the non profit from a church who will not perform gay marriage, but the Supreme Court would reverse that, unless someone they can change the constitution to include who you choose to have sex with as a civil right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Can you say "seperation of church and state?" Christians are to obey the leaders, except for when they conflict with GOD's laws and precepts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyKay Posted January 15, 2015 Group: Royal Member Followers: 12 Topic Count: 385 Topics Per Day: 0.10 Content Count: 7,692 Content Per Day: 1.92 Reputation: 4,809 Days Won: 3 Joined: 05/28/2013 Status: Offline Share Posted January 15, 2015 At my Tuesday men's group, we discussed rules the government has, will, or could impose on the church, such as homosexual marriages, etc.. It all comes down to the tax exempt status. I proposed that if a church was unwilling to obey by the rules, then they should give up their tax exempt status, and then the rules would not apply to them. Regardless how I feel about gay marriage, I do not think that the gov. should be allowed to step in and tell the church what they can and can not do in regards to religious believes. I have known of churches who will not marry someone if they have been divorce. I know of churches who will not marry mix race couples. While I personally may disagree with this. It is their church's religious believes and the gov. stepping in to change that is against the Constitution Of The United States! As for tax exempt. Churches are tax exempt because they are to provide help to the people of their community. Handing out food, clothing and other such aid to people in need. That is what I think. So thank you very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman150 Posted January 15, 2015 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 2 Topic Count: 7 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 128 Content Per Day: 0.04 Reputation: 44 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/04/2014 Status: Offline Birthday: 10/14/1958 Share Posted January 15, 2015 There is no way on this earth that my church would endorse gay marriage and if we lose our tax exempt status over it, then fine. Take it away. Agree, 100%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fez Posted January 15, 2015 Group: Royal Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 683 Topics Per Day: 0.12 Content Count: 11,128 Content Per Day: 2.00 Reputation: 1,352 Days Won: 54 Joined: 02/03/2009 Status: Offline Birthday: 12/07/1952 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Our church pays tax. To be tax exempt, like our orphanage, we have to apply the be a NPO (non profit organisation), and once that is done (one needs a constitution, at least three directors (who cannot be part of the NPO), we can apply for tax exemption. The beauty off this is that any donation made is tax exempt. It is a way for people to chose where their tax goes, because when submitting tax returns these donations are tax deductible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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