California pastor delivers sermon urging Newsom's recall -- a test of IRS rules for churches Read mo

[UpInArms]

Source: Sacramento Bee

The pastor of a Rocklin megachurch who has defied California’s COVID-19 restrictions urged his followers during a Sunday sermon to oust Gov. Gavin Newsom in the recall election, testing IRS regulations that restrict political campaigning inside churches.

During an impassioned sermon, Destiny Christian Church Pastor Greg Fairrington asked his congregants to vote “yes” on removing the governor from office in six weeks.

“You afraid of Gavin Newsom? My God, do your job as Christians on Sept. 14, and vote ‘yes’ on recalling an immoral governor,” Fairrington said while pointing to a screen behind him that delivered the same message.

… snip …

Under federal law, churches are free to participate in many political activities, such as get-out-the-vote efforts. Religious organizations can jeopardize their tax-exempt status, however, if they or their leaders demonstrate bias for or against a candidate in a political campaign.

Specifically, the tax code states that these tax-exempt beneficiaries “are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office.

Read more: https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article253200278.html

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I am sick and tired of these “preachers” and their politics of hate

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. Do ANY of the Nazi preachers (aka ANYONE who supports trump) ever lose their status?

[Miguelito Loveless]

8. So far, no.

They seem above the law.

[Thomas Hurt]

2. I am not sure the IRS has ever pulled an exemption for a church. I think they did

for some non-profit religious organization, which the christofascists squealed mightily about.

[monkeyman1]

17. this is a big sore spot with a lot of people !

praise the lord & help me pay for ,my house,limo, corporate jet , non -tax status, my kid,s schooling because i,m to lazy to make a fucking living ! church's have no damn right to to chose sides in politics ! not all of'm are bad , but these mega -church's piss me the fuck off !!!

[notinkansas]

23. It's not just the mega-churches.

The Catholic churches do the same thing - especially in regard to demonizing any pro-choice candidate.

[monkeyman1]

24. ya' rite on that !

It's been on the top of my list because of one person getting a major tax break , while people struggle & give their money to a clown to read scriptures & say donate to me & I will save you ! especially with this c-19 crud ! I'm not against religion , It's just monetized that's wrong ! any religion! the Vatican is a class example of that ! they need to stay out of politics or drop the tax exempted status no in-between!

[EndlessWire]

47. I agree. n/t

[Hoyt]

3. While this so-called "pastor" sounds like a trumpster, churches

and preachers have helped get a lot of good Democrats elected.

I’m for just damning white wing “Christians” for what they are.

[Demobrat]

4. I'm not a huge fan of Newsom.

He’s done a good job in some areas, displayed jaw-dropping arrogance and poor judgement in others.

BUT he has not committed any crime, and I do not believe elected officials should be removed for anything less. Don’t like them? Vote them out come election time.

This recall nonsense is a waste of time and money.

[Dream Girl]

6. He went to French Laundry that time.

So there’s that.

[Journeyman]

10. And his kids went to summer camp without masks . . .

so there's that, too.

[Demobrat]

12. Sending his kids back to classes

at their private school while most California parents were dealing with remote learning didn’t look good either.

[LymphocyteLover]

16. not sure of your framing here but these are superficial stupid things that do not affect his overall

strong performance as a progressive leader and certainly do not warrant recall

[Demobrat]

18. Did you read my post?

I’m pretty sure I said I didn’t think he should be recalled, because he hasn’t committed a crime.

Regardless of the fact that he just might be due to the ammunition these stupid, superficial moves have given the right.

[TomCADem]

30. Beside Fox News Talking Points, How Has Newsom Actually Done As Governor?

Yes, I know that Fox News has hit Newsom on these superficial "issues," but how has Newsom done compared to other Governors for large States?

I would submit that Newsom is doing better then the Governors in the next two or three states: Texas, Florida and New York.

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases_deathsper100klast7days

[Demobrat]

31. Hmmm....I believe I also said that

he’s done well in some areas.

Doesn’t change the fact that some of his actions have given people like this pastor plenty of ammo.

He’s made some missteps. Now he’s in trouble.

Sorry.

[ChubbyStar]

32. Are you a CA voter? n/t

[Demobrat]

33. Yes.

I live in San Francisco.

[TomCADem]

35. That is incredibly vague.

The most specific thing you mentioned is a talking point that is blasted on repeat by right wing media followed up with he has done some things okay and some things not so much.

Really? You have CA doing far better than other large states in terms of responding to the pandemic, and you have the same extremist minority who supported Trump now bankrolling a recall and you are not outraged?

That being said, we did have posters who posted often about how they weren’t enthusiastic about supporting Hillary, then Biden, but would would vote for the Democrat in the race.

The fact that every Republican is promising to be the second coming of DeSantis should be reason enough to work hard to defeat the recall.

[EndlessWire]

48. Well said. n/t

[LymphocyteLover]

38. Ok, I lost track of you in that thread

but the bottom line for me is it's insanity that silly little things should endanger his position when the right gets away with murder... it's all because of the power of rightwing propaganda. I hate it so much.

[TomCADem]

43. Exactly. This goes to show the power of right wing media

Even though you could have a party that is threatening to take away voting rights, ignore a world wide pandemic, cut taxes to the rich, ignore global warming, and institutionalize corrupt corruption, if you repeat "what about the emails" or "French Laundry" enough, that is enough for some "progressives" to be unenthusiastic about voting.

Can you imagine if it was just as easy to discourage the right? DeSantis, Trump, MJG, Ted Cruz and Rand Paul have as many gaffes in a day as Democrats do in an entire career, yet it just strengthens their base so that they can fail up. Or, it could just be a reminder of the value of having a whole right wing ecosystem to push propaganda attacking Democrats (Emails! French Laundry!) 24/7 while supporting right wing politicians.

[LymphocyteLover]

45. Indeed-- it's utterly maddening. We face a veritable blizzard of outrages from the right and

so it's hard to focus on one terrible thing, whereas they are clever at picking one stupid thing a Dem does and pounding it to death and ruining a candidate or pol.

[PSPS]

13. I think he canceled that because he didn't want his kids at a maskless camp.

[enki23]

26. My kid went to summer camp without masks in California, just a few weeks ago.

The Newsom masks shit is a hell of a stretch. It really is.

[TomCADem]

29. Name Another Governor of One of the 10 Largest States Who Has Done a Better Job?

This is the problem. People begin to internalize the right wing talking points that are pushed out. For example, look at the responses, and inevitably even liberals will begin to recite Fox News talking points about the French Laundry. It is sort of like Hillary's emails. Yet, when pressed, most folks really can't identify a better Governor then Newsom, particularly when it comes to handling the pandemic.

Look at the 10 largest states, and is there a Governor who you think has done a better job than Newsom? The answer probably is no. Shoot, look at the next two largest States, and you have Abbott and DeSantis with the latter being celebrated as a Presidential hopeful. If DeSantis is what passes for a viable candiate, then Newsom should be considered a frontrunner.

California (Population: 39,613,493)
Texas (Population: 29,730,311)
Florida (Population: 21,944,577)
New York (Population: 19,299,981)
Pennsylvania (Population: 12,804,123)
Illinois (Population: 12,569,321)
Ohio (Population: 11,714,618)
Georgia (Population: 10,830,007)

[ancianita]

46. I am. Damn right it's a waste of time & money -- to US -- but not to the billionaire Repubs there.

They're all part of the Koch/Bradley autocratic network that now constantly explodes every trifling flaw in Democratic leaders to claw and tear at Democratic governors to turn blue states red.

Last year, California's GDP was about 3.09 trillion U.S. dollars, meaning it contributed the most out of any state to the country's GDP in that year, and CA's GDP was a 4% drop from the previous year!

Were he presiding over a failing economy, he'd be raked across the coals for it and not just in RW media.

Yet is he CREDITED? Hell, no. In the hyperbolic gaslighting world of media, no Democrat can ever do enough, and what they DO do is subject to fault finding of the right.

Newsom runs the 5th largest economy in the world, and has to deal with more economic sector leaders and corporations than any other governor.

Newsom's state has a budget SURPLUS.

Our most brilliant congress people support Newsom -- Diane Feinstain, Alex Padilla, Ted Lieu, Katie Porter, Eric Swalwell, Nancy Pelosi, Jackie Speier, Barbara Lee, Adam Schiff -- hell I could go on, but CA has 42 Democrats in the US House!

Newsom isn't "just another governor."

We all need to support our mainstay winning state Democrats.

[joetheman]

5. Rabid evangelicals have proved there should be no tax exemption for most churches. nt

[Duppers]

19. I question why there should be exemptions...

..to begin with.

This:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.." Then, why should there be any exemption from taxation for churches? That requires special considerations and law.

Please tell me why I'm wrong.

On edit: Not questioning you, Joe, but folks in general.

[NYC Liberal]

41. Because Churches are legally non-profit organizations.

You couldn’t force churches to pay taxes but not other non-profits.

So we’d have to remove tax exemption for all non profit organizations (fine with me).

[Magoo48]

37. Churches should pay taxes like all other businesses.

[AllaN01Bear]

7. i have never once seen a church loose its protection status , except one.

called all saints episcopal. rather progressive in the area considiring its in la county. during the first desert scam, the preacher (the priest , yes we call em priest , episcopalian.) denounced the war. some republican parishiners complained and it got to shrub and he had them investigated. almost lost its tax exempt staus . charges were later dropped as unfounded . sorry . no links for ye all but im sure if u dig its there . no call for this paster to preach politics .

[yonder]

9. Not sure, but doesn't Pastor Bob's use of "My God..."

violate one of his Ten Commandments?

[NullTuples]

11. The IRS has not investigated a church since 2007

That was when as a gift to churches & the GOP, a Republican Judge ruled the IRS had to have each and every individual church investigations signed off by a specific designated person.

The seat was never filled and the GOP cut the IRS budget every chance they got.

By 2012 priests, bishops, pastors & ministers were not only blatantly violating the code, but organizing and posting on YouTube and taking out full page ads to prove that they could get away with it and challenging the government to stop them.

Around 2015 a different judge ruled that the IRS had to appoint someone to the position to sign off on church investigations, but the GOP slashed the IRS budget yet again and not surprisingly, the position wasn't filled.

As far as I know, the situation has yet to change.

[bringthePaine]

14. Newsom doesn't matter in this - IRS MUST bust this bullshit ASAP

[JohnSJ]

20. +++

[homegirl]

21. Correct me if I am wrong

Wasn't Pat Robertson's mega church slapped with a suspension and a large fine for political activity?

[LiberalFighter]

15. Taxing a church by itself does not prevent them from worshipping.

Especially if they are all taxed the same.

[crimycarny]

22. Ugh--this is where I live

Rocklin is in Placer County, one of THE most conservative counties in California. I had to put my Biden/Harris sign inside our window versus in the yard as it wouldn't have lasted 5 minutes. For months leading up to the election, and a couple of months after, they would parade around in their pickup trucks with Trump flags.

But this prick, Pastor Greg Fairrington, is a complete charlatan. His wife is just as bad. The stereotypical bleached blonde, overly long sculptured nails, plastic surgery'd face with a ton of tanner make-up, designer clothes. I mean--they are straight from Hollywood casting.

The good news is Rocklin and outlying areas are starting to become a bit bluer. With many companies allowing employees to WFH permanently we're seeing a lot of Bay Area families moving in. It's a welcome sight.

And the Destiny Church? They got canceled from a local TV station after just one week (so one televised service and they were nixed). Maybe there's hope?

Here's the type of "congregation" that flock to Destiny Church:

Link to tweet

?s=20

Link to tweet

?s=20

[enki23]

28. I'm in Grass Valley/Nevada City

We had our fascist attacks here as well, while the cops just sat back and let it happen. I have a neighbor with a "Trump save America" sign. Lots of fucking truck flag Taliban. Glad they self identify. I won't do them the same favor.

[crimycarny]

51. LOL--self identify

I never thought of it that way but you're right, so glad supporters love to tout their stupidity for all to see so we can avoid.

I rarely wear anything that would indicate my political preference, largely because of where I live, but I have a pair of Biden/Harris sweatpants that are super comfortable so I've stepped out of the house in them from time to time. Recently I was wearing them when I went to grab some take-out and a woman in line leaned over and whispered to me "I love your sweats". We smiled conspiratorially.

[rickyhall]

25. It's past time the IRS went after these tax-cheating hate-mongers.

[BlueIdaho]

27. Tax all the churches.

Every last one of them.

[murielm99]

34. When I was a kid,

the Lutherans still taught that Catholics were going to hell.

Our pastor gave regular sermons telling us not to vote for Kennedy. Even in our red county, Kennedy was very popular. People tuned out the pastor.

I knew my family was going to vote for Kennedy. My mother mulled over whether or not Kennedy was going to be controlled by the Pope. The only thing about that that bothered her was a possible restriction on birth control.

She still voted for Kennedy.

After Kennedy was assassinated, I had never seen so many people jammed into our church, not even at Christmas or Easter.

[Coventina]

36. Get your FUCKING CHURCH out of my government!!

[Marthe48]

39. Tax pastors who politicize the pulpit

n/t

[DFW]

42. Can't some California resident file a formal complaint with the IRS?

This is a violation of a federal law, so the complaint could bypass the California AG's office, and thus avoid Republican claims of the complaint being processed by people working for the man under threat of recall.

[twodogsbarking]

44. They will get away with it.

Who is going to go after them?

[former9thward]

49. I always wonder why people complain about this.

There is no political will to change it. Name a serious politician who has ever ran for office claiming he/she was going to push for taxing churches if elected. That would be zero.

[EndlessWire]

50. Everyone should pay their fair share.

We should tax the churches. The churches act just like little mini countries with thug leaders. It is utterly sickening when you hear some pastor claim that G-d wants him to have a private jet, and his parishioners should buy it for him. That's not Christ-like. That's hollow, power-hungry greed.

People who want to socialize like that should meet together in some Christian activity that does some social good, or just be together in a meeting place where they can laugh and teach each other, equal say, rotating preach, or something. Meet outdoors, in a comfy garage, or somewhere like that, then you wouldn't have some lying asshole picking your pockets for his own benefit. The Body of the Church should be fluid like that. No religious titles, no hierarchy, no vestments or sacred relics, just people, like body cells, supporting one another.

Gavin Newsom is a human being. That's all we can find to fit the position. This recall isn't about anything other than trying to flip a deep blue state to red. It's part of the fascist game plan to take the country over. If I have to crawl on the ground, I am turning out to vote to keep Newsom.