OPINION: Church free speech effort a fascinating fight with IRS
Sparking a court case over free speech in churches is the goal of some 30 churches across the nation.
That group includes a church in Barrow County, which is part of the alliance setting the stage for the lawsuit.
At issue is a 1954 law that says non-profit groups cannot make political endorsements or become involved in political campaigns. If they do, they stand to lose their non-profit status.
A group of churches working with the Alliance Defense Fund want to challenge that law, so ministers in those congregations are now endorsing a candidate for president from the pulpit. The move is an attempt to spark the IRS into taking action, thereby opening the door for a lawsuit to challenge the law.
The ADF argues that limiting what churches say is a violation of free speech and is unconstitutional. And while the ADF says the IRS has never enforced the law by taking action against churches, the fact that the law is on the books suppresses what churches feel free to say.
If this issue becomes a legal case, it will be a fascinating piece of litigation to watch.
For one thing, it raises the issue of whether or not the government will monitor what churches say. Even more interesting would be how the IRS would choose to interpret what churches say. When a preacher endorses a candidate, does that speak for the larger church or is it just the opinion of one person? How would the IRS determine what words constitute an “endorsement?”
Making the prospect of such a case more compelling is the nature of the current election. Predominantly black churches have historically been institutions of cultural, religious and political activism in the U.S. With a black candidate for president on the ballot, any IRS crackdown on church political activism could affect not just conservative churches, but more liberal churches as well.
While litigation may not come from this current effort, the larger issues raised about the relationship between political and religious institutions are ones that will not go away.
It all merits watching by those who value a society open to the free expression of ideas.
At issue is a 1954 law that says non-profit groups cannot make political endorsements or become involved in political campaigns. If they do, they stand to lose their non-profit status.
A group of churches working with the Alliance Defense Fund want to challenge that law, so ministers in those congregations are now endorsing a candidate for president from the pulpit. The move is an attempt to spark the IRS into taking action, thereby opening the door for a lawsuit to challenge the law.
The ADF argues that limiting what churches say is a violation of free speech and is unconstitutional. And while the ADF says the IRS has never enforced the law by taking action against churches, the fact that the law is on the books suppresses what churches feel free to say.
If this issue becomes a legal case, it will be a fascinating piece of litigation to watch.
For one thing, it raises the issue of whether or not the government will monitor what churches say. Even more interesting would be how the IRS would choose to interpret what churches say. When a preacher endorses a candidate, does that speak for the larger church or is it just the opinion of one person? How would the IRS determine what words constitute an “endorsement?”
Making the prospect of such a case more compelling is the nature of the current election. Predominantly black churches have historically been institutions of cultural, religious and political activism in the U.S. With a black candidate for president on the ballot, any IRS crackdown on church political activism could affect not just conservative churches, but more liberal churches as well.
While litigation may not come from this current effort, the larger issues raised about the relationship between political and religious institutions are ones that will not go away.
It all merits watching by those who value a society open to the free expression of ideas.
Defined tags for this entry: editorial
For those of you who can't figure out what that means: A group of people, probably of a particular ethnicity or another, wants to use God's name to support their candidate, hoping that people will vote for the "chosen one" because that group of people insists that God wants that person elected. The truth is, that GROUP wants that person elected, for what ever personal reasons they may have, most likely thinking that once elected, that candidate will do something favorable for the members of that select group. And they are only too willing to lie anyone and everyone to buffalo everyone else into joining into their crowd mentality.
Shameful. Simply shameful.
Why would any Christian vote for a Democrat when their platform is for the continuing holocaust of killing babies in their mothers' wombs?
And if they talk about this in Church is it politics or morality?
Black churches in the 50's and 60's and indeed until now have always discussed civil rights in their churches. Was that a moral issue or politics?
Why should any political organization be taxed? The power to tax is also the power to destroy.
Thanks for your (obviously very biased) opinion, but who are you to decide when a person actually becomes a person, when the debate has raged on for longer than most people reading this has been alive? You only have to right to decide that for yourself, yet you basically accuse anyone who doesn't agree with you of being guilty of murder, right here in a public forum.
And as for civil rights, give me a break!
That issue isn't about civil rights or civil equality. Its about civil superiority.
Everybody wants to be "on top".
The perversion of Doctor King's dream of true equality has been bastardized and twisted to suit the greedy desires of power hungry individuals in the "black community", and the blaze of that nastiness is fueled by the ignorance of those who oppose equality in the "white community". One set is as bad as the other.
Why should ANYONE be taxed? If the things that the government does with the money is so wonderful, why, wouldn't we all just be falling all over each other to freely offer our money to the government? If anyone is going to be taxed, then EVERYONE should be taxed.
You speak of morality...where is the fairness and equality of YOUR morality.
Jesus said to give unto Caesar what is Caesar's. Its pretty clear that "Caesar" had the right to tax the people, and Jesus said to pay it.
Since you started with the Biblical/Christian stance, reap what you sow.
Its all right there in the Bible, if the government says you owe a tax, PAY IT.
Now go spread your narrow minded, short-sighted ideas to the people of little intellect who might actually be dumb enough to think you have something of value to share, and leave the rest of alone.
I'm from Florida where, believe it or not, people are not biggoted as Georgia. In fact, I've never seen such hate - deep seated hate - from the very people who are , as we are told in other states, supposed to be so kind, gentle and God fearing. the only thing you guys fear that a white male enter office. Women lead so much better anyway. As for Palin, Oh! Golly! Gee! wouldn't her leadership be fun! I'd rather eat rat poison that hear her whining, stupid remarks. What a hypocrite! What ever happened to Doctor King's teachings? Even his own children are fighting. Dr. King was a good man, as was Ghandi, and the Dahli LLama. But they are one in a million, and they don't live in Georgia. How well do you know your history dude?
I am a princess. A direct decendant of Charles 1, James 2, Edward 4, Mary Queen of Scotts, Thomas Jefferson (but who isn't) and cousins of George Bush (little bush once removed) and Elizabeth the 2nd. I guess it takes royal blood to see how little you people really are. Get over yourself and go do something good for someone. I have - too many times to count. But I'll not blow my own horn for your gratification.
I do agree that most all of these so called 'preachers' these days are not God fearing in the least.(I am a Christian, by the way). In fact, they are more concerned with how much money they can con away from widows as well as everybody else than they are with teaching God's word. However, on judgement day, no one, including these 'preachers' will be there to blame when we stand before God. Even if they were there, God is not going to be interested in hearing any excuses whatsoever; especially when doing your part is as simple as opening a book. There are Bibles everywhere here in the U.S; anyone can pick one up, open it and read it for themselves. After doing that you are expected to be able to discern if what some 'preacher' is telling you is the truth. All of these 'preachers' who beg for money do make Christianity look bad. However, we are supposed to be wise enough not to believe everything that anyone, 'preacher' or not tells us.
If only it were that easy. I am having a very difficult time getting my husband away from here. He is a disillusioned Baptist as well. We were both very devote Christians, but never expected the anger and level of biggotry that hit me in the face when I moved here. I've filed for bankruptcy. I can't sell the house for 2 more years. I have two beautiful daughters that are very successful here. I have even contemplated leaving my husband and moving home. I tried suicide 5 times just to get away from the pain. I have no friends, my career is shot, and there is no money to go to school and learn another career. I am almost out of the bitter and hatred state of the grief I have for the loss of a career. My depression is getting much better. I hope to return to Florida to teach there. Georgia is the only state that requires references from past principals. I have references out the ying yang, as well as glowing reviews. Now that Jackson hit me in the face, I cannot ever teach here again. It's their loss. Legally, someone being considered for a job should only have their place of employment verified. Not Georgia. They want all the dirt. What if you didn't quite fit in? That will follow you for the rest of your life. Also see blogs on teaching the Bible in school, and the opinion by Mike on the "D" words.
Georgia is your home now whether you like it or not. It's not that bad; you are letting others make it bad for you. If these people have been so mean to you, why would you let them win by sinking you into depression, leaving the state & that sort of thing? If they really dislike you so much that's what they want; and you are giving it to them.
You are responsible for your own happiness. Yes, disaster after unfair disaster; they are yours, so you might as well- wear them well. You are talking to a person that has atleast 2 tragedies every morning before they even get out the front door. It's like a war(that you didn't start); everything else in the world against you. However, at the end of the day you get to thank God that you won and fall asleep wondering what it is exactly that you're training for. Doing it this way is so much better, not to mention entertaining, than giving up & being depressed; and no one likes to lose anyway.
As far as you saying, "what if you don't fit in"? Well, look around you at everybody else and then you will really have a reason to drop & thank God because you're not like them, whew!There is no rule or law that says you have to fit in here or anywhere else in this country except for the one in your head. Yes, sometimes the majority will make it hard on you. That's when you have to make it twice as hard on them to find a reason to fire you, ridicule you, etc. Of course I don't mean(nor do I condone) that you should break the law in any way, or not follow policies & rules of the environment around you. I'm talking about not fitting in as far as your personality, religion, things like that.
My suggestion to you is- make yourself a home here in GA; not just a 'house'. You've already said you can't leave here at this time. Make the best of it. You don't need friends to be happy. You don't even need a good marriage to be happy. Have you applied or put in any resumes for a job? You're having financial problems? Look on the bright side, you & everyone else too. Someone did an injustice and caused you to get fired? The best revenge is this- you doing well, you being happy, you letting it go & getting on with your life. I wish you well.
Your words were actually comforting. Thank you. I'm doing MUCH BETTER! Letting loose on this blog has helped tremendously. I love the beauty of this state and am trying to make it a home. The school system is backwards (well, it is), and some things go against the grain of what I was taught in college. I came from an A+ school and have had extensive training. My depression is almost cured (the blues are gone), I just have to deal with a bit of fatigue now and again.
I DID get a job! Just for the season, but I'm hoping the extra money will help pay the bills and getting out will help me. My doctor said what would completely heal me would be to return to teaching, but people misconstrue simple clinical depression with being dangerous. Even though it's catagorized under a mental disorder, it is really very physical. A lot of people misdiagnose it a chronic fatigue. That is what I thought I had when I was working.
It's also hard to get beat down all the time when you know that you are really good at your job. I miss being around the kids and my husband says I teach in my sleep!
As far a God and religion goes, I have found no comfort there, and I HAVE studied it extensively. I prefer to remain Agnostic and keep my mind open. I do not want to affiliate myself with any church. They ALWAYS turn out to be scandalous.
Thanks for the vote of confidence. Now if you could only convince the schools....
Got it?
"the holocaust of killing babies" you have to be joking right. Like the endoctrination of being a democrat is to find some woman and kill her unborn child. That is one of the biggest problems I have with the "Right". Who made you god to make decisions for other people. Some day one of your family members might get raped and become pregnant....I'll bet your views change then! We are such a sorry nation, we have allowed politicians to divide this country equally between those of us that pay and the other 1/2 that makes a living from what we pay! And then you have to lump in groups like the "religious right" and one of the parties has to pander to them because they are a large voting block. What a scam!
Notice, I did not mention a political party. But everyone knows which is the party of death.
You should watch the ultrasounds of babies being aborted. (they didn't have this evidence during the arguments of Roe v Wade) You can see the expressions on the babies' faces. They show emotions of pain from the procedure. Just because you choose to close your eyes doesn't mean we are all blind.
Jesus did say to give what is Caesar's unto Caesar. But we, as Americans, can dictate to Caesar how much he can take or we can evict him. Our Caesars are elected representatives, not emperors.
Actually, the main reason the church can not be taxed is that our constitution forbids interfering with religion. (Bill of Rights)
For someone who claims to be intelligent you seem to have a very big gap in your constitutional knowledge.
We are different than other nations. We, the people of the United States, tell the government what it can or can not do. Not the other way around.
Also you sound kind of cynical. Don't you believe that there are good people in our country that care, not about being on top, but doing the right thing?
NO.
And I think you should re-read the Constitution. I can give you a copy of the AKS that the gov't demands we teach.
It's the hypocracy of churches that anger me. I've been raised a Baptist, went to catholic schools and my mother was Mormon. My best friend is hindi and another ismuslim. Don't say I don't know religious beliefs!
I DO know that at MY Baptist church, one preacher was fired for having sex with various members of the congregassion. One moved because his wife was found in bed with another woman, and several have had pregnant daughters. Good guidance they're giving, huh? I once applied at a Methodist church as the head of a childcare center. I was told that children were born evil and I has sex issues. The preacher sent me away with a copy of "The Total Woman".
Show me a church of people who are TRULY trying to live up to God's rules and I'll show you people who don't know that there are pediphiles and wife beaters in their midst. Everyone is just a Lemming. You're told what to think, say, and who to vote for. Don't you desire to think for yourself, are you too lazy, or did they not teach thinking skills in school? It was because of a preacher whom I never met that caused me to lose my job. I was one of the BEST teachers. I have a whole file folder from supervisors telling me this. But since I can't find work, I've lost half my income including my cars, camper, and my dignity. I was always a half-ful cup type of person. No wonder I'm cynical. Because all this happened, I've been in bed for over a year with severe clinical depression. I've tried suicide 5 times. I can't get that right either. Now where is YOUR kindness and spiritual guidance?
you didn't read my post very well, I said nothing about abourtion
being OK. As a matter of fact the only thing that I said was
that it isn't the governments job to dictate what a person
can do with thier body. Next they will outlaw tatoo's and
piercings? I couldn't agree more with the idea that it is wrong
not a means of birth control! Again, personal responsibility
and god forbid some actual parenting. It is no different with
gun control. Not the governments job to limit the things I
own or how many rounds it will hold. It is their job to
prosecute those that break the laws with the guns. Guns don't
kill people, people kill people.
Churches are a joke! That sums it up. There isn't a religion
out there that isn't corrupt and full of all kinds of questionable
people. If you want to believe in something than do it. You
aren't getting to heaven any faster than me because you go
to church and hand over 10 percent of your money to someone.
It is all in your beliefs and your actions!
Bonnie, wow...where do I start. I think I agree w/ your stance
on churches, but as for the rest, you fall apart. It all comes
down to this. You lost your job for whatever reason. You say
it was nothing, but that really is never the case. And now you
are content to sit around and whine about it to anyone that will
listen. "Clinical Depression" That is a load of crap. That is
an excuse to keep your head in the sand and blame others for
where you are. Take some Zoloft and get back out there and fight.
If you have really tried suicide 5 times then you aren't doing it right! It is front to back, not side to side! But, you know that
I am sure. You just like the attention. Wake up!
It's interesting that Rowe v Wade was decided on privacy issues when privacy is ignored with every other crime.
I have a religion that is without corruption. It's me and God. You can't touch that. I don't pay him anything but praise and obedience.
When we attend church try to remember we are there for the relationship with our creator and not to be dragged down by others who are not there for that purpose. God will not accept the excuse that you don't like the pastor, other people etc. He wants you.
Bonnie, I agree that we should get a tax deduction as soon as pregnancy is proved. Let's write our elected representatives.
Bonnie
You said "Why doesn't the church do something constructive with it's brainwashed victims and just boycott Disney?"
Add to that all of the terrible things you have said about Christianity in general on this blog and others, while calling yourself a devout Christian; the things you have said about yourself (fantasy or reality? only God knows--I am not sure you can tell the difference anymore). You started by mocking the church, then your anger abounded, then your self-glorification issues took over (like most Americans, your problem is not a LACK of self-esteem, but just the opposite), then finally!, your cry for help, which is the most important of all.
But, the evidence is crystal clear. You are not a Christian. You never were a Christian. And you do not know what a Christian is. Someone must have told you at some point that you are a Christian, or perhaps, like me, you were told growing up that because you were not Jewish, that meant you were a Christian (yes, I am serious).
But, you can become one! Your foundational problem with all of life is that the guilt of your sin has weighed you down, oppressing you, causing you great emotional and physical stress.
PLEASE get a Bible and look up the following passages of Scripture: Romans 3:23 (we are ALL sinners against God); Romans 6:23 (the punishment for that sin is death, but God gave us the free gift of His Son, Jesus); John 3:16 (God loves us so much that He provided a way for us to be forgiven of our sin against Him). How do we accept God's free gift? God says we must be born again (John 3:7). Read the following passages which tell us to "repent" toward God, and "believe" in the Lord Jesus Christ, both of which are necessary for true salvation: Acts 16:30-31; Acts 17:30; Romans 10:13. God knows your heart. You cannot fool Him. When your prayer of repentance and faith is genuine, He will save you! He has promised to. He wants to! God does not want anyone to go to hell, but that all should repent and be saved (II Peter 3:9). When He does save you, you will be a new creature (II Corinthians 5:17).
Finally, take you eyes off of people and look to God as your example. There is only one kind of Christian that God recognizes, and that is someone who has been born again.
People will fail you. People who call themselves Christians will fail you. Even real Christians may fail you. But, God never fails.
One of my dreams is to get my hands on an old hospital or school, and with corporate backing, turn it into apartments for single mothers who are struggling to work and make ends meet. I would offer free childcare, subsidised meals and transportation.
It takes work to be a good person. You don't have to be Christian to have what the south calls "Christian qualities". In fact, most self ordained christians are just the opposite. Do NOT accuse me of being a bad person because you are unable to label me through your religion.
You guys are making out like all I taught was religion. I taught Social Studies, which, if you look up the definition, included the culture AND religion of the people. A little bit of knowledge doesn't hurt. Fanatacism, angry mobs, biggotry, the use of the church a guise for murder, rape and other attrocities does. What category would you like to be in? Are YOU really ready to go to Heaven?
As I said, God can do the same for you. I have prayed that you will allow Him to. He is your (and my!) only hope. If you want peace, it is ONLY through Christ that you will find it-- when your sins are forgiven by a holy God.
You did not mention whether or not you read the Bible verses. That is more important than how you feel at the moment about the people who have failed you, and about the students' parents who have hurt you. Please read them.
As for what you are trying to say about "work", please remember that it was Christ Who did all of the work. "Work" is the opposite of "grace". God's salvation is not based on "work", although many man-made religions are! Salvation is free to all who will believe. That is not a free pass to be "so bad" on Saturday night, however. Those who are truly saved will be the same person on Sunday morning as they are on Saturday night.
One more time, Bonnie, I ask you--have you read those Bible verses yet? They are the bedrock of this conversation.
I blew off your first comment, but decided to revisit it due to the guilt of not reading it the first time.
How did you come to the conclusion that I have done something wrong here? So much for your scriptures. I learned those at age 5.
Did you not hear me when I said I have excellent knowledge of the Bible as well as other religions? While attending Catholic school, I had to emorize pages of the Bible er night. Didn't help my knowlege of the Bible, but certainly strengthened my rote memory.
Why don't you try a few of these scriptures on for size and perhaps you will see where I am coming from. Knowledge is power. Following false profits like sheep will land you someplace you don't want to be. You must read, question and study what you learn. Don't just accept it as gospel!
1 Timothy 6 1:6 False doctrine used to gain power over the pwople.
Proverbs 15:7 Those who have knowledge scatter it. Stupid people do not.
Read the entirity of Psalms 51
1John 4:1 Don't believe in false profits
Hebrews 10:11 (as for being saved) No preacher can take sins away completley!!!!
(Thus, you must WORK at being a God-like)
James 3:13 He who knows truth shall SHARE!
James 4 17:18 Knowing the right thing but not doing the right thing will land you in hell.
(Thus, being a good person is work!)
Proverbs 12 1:1-!:2 A lover of knowledge is a hater of unreasoning (hear!hear!)
Proverbs 13:1 Those who ridicule knowledge has not heard the truth! (Nor do you want to).
I am LIKE a Christian, but I prefer NOT to affiliate with any one organization. I work hard to be a good person. How hard do you work at it? God knows my heart, and I have a generous one. This is why I am so angry that I was treated so unfairly by Jackson County's hipocrytes. I was teaching Knowledge, and they became afraid. I was teaching what the State of GA slated me to do, and one preacher became afraid.
I overheard two women talking about their preacher saying that Obama is the Door Opener for the Antichrist. What the Hell? This is the perfect example of the scriptures above, and the main sinner is the preacher himself, for spreading such falshoods to his people.
SHAME~!!!
Yes you are.
I happen to know that the majority of our troops suffer with Clinical Depression. It's a condition brought on by severe trauma. Imagine the trauma Bonnie must have endured if the circumstances of her resignation were so stressful that she could no longer perform her duties! Probably as bad as being on the front lines of Iraq and Aphganistan.
She sounds like she's over it to me. She also sounds highly intelligent and seems to know her stuff. Perhaps you should accuse her accusers? WJMS is not exactly the finest of schools around here, and I sure it wasn't because of her.
People can be cruel. Half of Hollywood in bi-polar or manic depressed. Now THOSE are scary.
Clinical depression is easily cured, and she said in a previous letter that speaking ABout what happened helped tremendously. That's all one needs to do for therapy is talk. How many of you listed without jugement? Where does your christian duty lie?
We don't have the luxury of mentally ill people teaching our children in school. Let them recover in some other form of employment.
Clinical depression is not easily cured. What planet are you thinking of?
Hollywood is not representative of America. They are, as a whole, sick. But they're great entertainers.
People can be cruel but we would like to protect our children from crazy people. Sometimes people might interpret that as cruelty.
Liberal is good. We're all somewhat liberal, depending how you define it.
Therapy involves a highly educated therapist, not just a little talk. And it takes years.
Christian duty? Is it the Christians' responsiblity to enable the masses? Where is personal responsibility?
Judgement? No. Not me. No one has been thrown out of the Church. Nor the Synagogue for that matter. No one is going to jail. At least not in this thread.
We're all growing. Let's just not force our immaturity on the children.
Where do you get your information?
The MAJORITY of our troops ARE clinically depressed, and you would be too in that situation. They are NOT receiving proper treatment, and the few that do are sent back to the front lines immediately. You show the same compassion as the generals sendig the troops back, and the same misconceptions of depression as most people do. Let me educate you:
Clinical depression is the most common and IS EASILY CURED. It involves therapy and medication, both which are decreased over time until they are no longer needed, and the afflicted person is declared "cured".
Clinical depression is a PHYSICAl condition, even though most people label someone who is depressed as CRAZY. Millions, yes, millions of people in the US suffer from this disease, but suffer quietly because of the stigma involved with being labeled as depressed. It is believed that so many people suffer from depression because of the stresses of daily life, aging and/or diet. A major trauma can send someone from "depressed" to "clinically depressed". In my case I was depressed over the lack of dignity and respect I have received while in backwards GA. The "Trauma" that sent me over was the death of my mother whom I was exceptionally close to. This cause me from being just "blue" to being bed-bound, unable to concentrate, loss of energy and desire to do things I would normally do, and suicidal tendencies. THIS is the part of depression that is dibilitating. It has recently been acknowledged by the insurance industries as a diability for which they will pay (and you know how they hate to pay for anything). So I stood up and bravely admitted that I suffered from this condition, but am now fully recovered. At least I can share my experiences with others in order to help them recognize that their "chronic fatigue" has now been given a name and there IS help for them. I refuse to be a silent sufferer when I can choose to use my knowledge to help others. Now, how do you know that your child's teacher doesn't suffer from depression? You don't. But I will tell you that if it is simple clinical depression, they are not going to harm your child in any way. There are several other types of mental diseases people have that are hard to spot, and I certainly wouldn't want my kid next to them, but this is NOT one of those. I am more than ready to return to work, and as my therapist said at my LAST appointment, "It will help you tremendously to return to working in the field you love, even teaching!"
So there. Check your facts before crossing me, because I DO check facts! I am standing strong and firm and refuse to let the people of GA run over me again. If GA doesn't want to take full advantage of my talents (and lord knows, with all these Title I schools, they need to), I'll simply move to where people are more civilized, understanding and educated.
That would be helpful. As an educator I'm sure you would want your students to site a reference rather than taking someone's word for it.
I really don't feel Georgia is backward for protecting our chidren from someone who is mentally ill.
My source? MSN.com, NBC.com, Georgia Public Broadcasting (a REALLY good UNPARTIAL source for news, especially "All Things Considered" airing at 6pm nightly..
Go for it!
I think Bonnie is brave for admitting her PAST PROBLEM!
I guess it's ok for an athiest to express his views but not a religious person. Interesting logic.
The law says a marriage is between one woman and one man.
Jesus said Christians are the salt of the earth. That means that they preserve you whether you recognize this or not. All of our laws are based on the Judeo-Christian ethic. How would you know wrong from right without the bible? Killing babies in your eyes is perfectly acceptable. Why should I question that?
White northern Christians and non-Christians also discriminated against blacks. Get over the South is the only one to blame. Northern schools are still segregated, even to this day.
I'm looking forward to you moving to a Muslim country. There you will find real justice. Steal and get your hand cut off. Abortion? I don't think so. Commit adultery, and off with your head.