Papantonio: Political Poison From The Pulpit

[GoLeft TV]

The Freedom from Religion Foundation has taken up the challenge on evangelical groups to push back on the ugly mixture of religion attaching itself to Neo-nut politics.

For years now, the craziest of the religious fringe has been daring the IRS to test their 501(c)3 tax exemption status.

Preachers have been standing in front of pulpits endorsing candidates, handing out political leaflets, and holding pro-Republican rallies. Parts of the religious political right have chosen to flaunt the fact that they are abusing their 501(c)3 rights, and the IRS has chosen to let them get away with it.

This lawsuit filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation will, at the very least, help the public think about whether the $71 billion a year granted to Churches in tax breaks is a bad idea. Have those political pulpit preachers abused the bargain that taxpayers make with them by using tax money to campaign for their right wing list of crazies?

Full text at Ring of Fire.

[safeinOhio]

1. They think they have found

a loop-hole in the tax code and the scriptures.

[freshman22]

2. Crooks

Up to 80% to 90% of pastors are pimps.They lie and take your money.If they endorse candidates.They should pay taxes

[Plucketeer]

3. Render unto Caesar what is Caesars

Tax these charlatans and their numb-skulled flocks!

[JDPriestly]

4. Democrats need to take a page from the Evangelical book and learn to organize.

We as Democrats who are active at the local grass-roots level should be looking after people in our communities. And that is WHETHER WE WIN ELECTIONS OR NOT.

Within our Party and within our local Democratic Clubs, we need to make sure that no one is forgotten. We need to care for our members, not necessarily with gifts or food (unless needed) but with a smile, a word of encouragement, a thank you, recognition for work well done and, yes, quite moments of thought together. Not a prayer necessarily, but a quiet moment to appreciate what we accomplish together and the joy of working together as Democrats.

If we can do that, especially in states in which we are in the minority, we will grow

This is especially important for Democrats in states with Republican majorities. This will give existing Democrats in your states purpose and hope, and will draw people who have not been active in politics to your groups.

We need to welcome everyone to our grass-roots Democratic movement. That's what the Republican churches do. Democrats used to do it. We need to do it now.

[IrishAyes]

5. Religion itself is not the problem

But rather the evil purposes for which it is all too often used. I'm an ecumenical Catholic known to visit other congregations so I've seen a lot, and too much of it ain't pretty. Any hint of politics from the pulpit should immediately erase any tax breaks. At one adult Sunday School class I wondered aloud whether I was at church or a CPAC meeting. That got them all stirred up once I explained what CPAC is. And it used to be common for some of these people to pray for President Obama to be killed and his wife made a widow, his children orphans. That's no brand of Christianity or any other decent religion I ever heard about.

In other words, I heartily support a full frontal attack by the IRS on these wolves in sheep's clothing.