To Everyone Wanting to Repeal Tax-Exempt Status from...

[Ranting_Wacko]

... well, every religious organization pushing Prop 8 ...

http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=178241,00.html
The IRS Page giving instructions on how to file an official complaint re:Tax Exempt Status.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f13909.pdf
Form 13909 - the official form to file a complaint.

All the posts about petition-signing and protesting, I didn't see this information anywhere.

Let's do it, to it, folks.

[patrice]

1. So what would we be looking for? Explicit support for a candidate, who happens to be pro 8? or

No presentation of anything like Balance between pro- and anti- 8 perspectives/candidates?

[Ranting_Wacko]

3. There's a few options on the form...

Income/assets are being used to support illegal or terrorist activities

Organization is involved in a political campaign

Organization is engaged in excessive lobbying activities

All you need is the main address for the organization, the names and titles of people involved in the offense (should be able to track down the leadership names on-line easily enough for most of these groups) and the amount of money involved, if possible.

[slampoet]

7. THANK YOU for suggesting a constructive course of action.

Thank you for being interested in more than just expressing anger.

[Ranting_Wacko]

10. No thanks are needed.

I'm a librarian. Giving people the information to do what they need to do is my job. :)

I must admit to being somewhat disturbed to see so many people saying "They ought to pull their Tax-Exempt status!" but nobody saying exactly HOW to do it.

[slampoet]

12. I always knew there was a reason i found librarians to be sexy.

[Zodiak]

16. REAL librarians, that is

Not stupid, vacuous, incurious, fake look-alikes like Palin.

[patrice]

8. The only problem I see with this, for me personally, is that I will have to go to church(es)

There is a local organization around here who used to be into Separation of Church and State http://www.mainstreamcoalition.org/ I have heard that they have temporized on some of the issues. They did have a victory recently on our Prop 1.

What I'm trying to figure out is, how do you know when to be there in the pews to get the information that you need? I don't want to have to go all of the time in order to be there when they cross the line.

I'll look around for some Mainstream Coalition folks to talk to about how they used to do this.

[Ranting_Wacko]

9. Well...

Some churches advertise what that week's sermon will be about on signs outside the church.

Church bulletins can also be a useful source of information AND give you some physical evidence if they give instructions to vote against specific initiatives or how to contact local politicians.

[patrice]

11. A digital recorder would be a good investment.

[nichomachus]

19. The real work isn't done un Sunday sermons

The poison is mostly spread in the "prayer meetings" and "Bible studies." Those take place on other days.

[Union Thug]

2. I'm all for it. Our society and government has already tacitly given them the nod

to function as political organizations by allowing them the room to push their political will upon society in a wide range of topics, not the least of which is advocating publically enforced bigotry and ignorance (anti-gay legislation and creationism as science come immediately to mind). You play, you pay, kids.

[Ranting_Wacko]

5. Indeed.

This doesn't necessarily have to be used for just Prop 8, though that was my intent in posting the information. There's a lot of anti-evolutionists this can be used against as well.

You wonder why Ron Paul REALLY wants to destroy the IRS?

[Not Me]

4. And don't forget the Knights of Columbus

the lobbying arm of the Roman Catholic Church.

[Ranting_Wacko]

6. It's a multi-purpose form.

That's why I didn't name any specific groups. All the better to make us think about EVERY group that is abusing their authority and funds. Not just the most visible ones this week.

[justiceischeap]

13. Those that need more info on the LDS

Great post over at Kos with a copy of a Memo stating their intent to get involved in politics.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/11/3/15369/3779/711/651188

[Ranting_Wacko]

14. Thanks for that...

That's a pretty big smoking gun.

BTW, everyone who is reading this thread, please K&R it. We can get more people working on this if this is on the greatest thread. Just one vote away...

[justiceischeap]

15. You're welcome. K&R n/t

[TexasObserver]

17. You are correct, but copy your congress persons - both House and Senate

Demanding that a church's tax exempt status be revoked should entail three levels:

1. the complaint to the IRS

2. the complaints to the politicians who can influence the IRS actions

3. getting major media coverage of the attacks on the churches who have violated 501(c)(3) requirements

Stopping religions from using tax exempt funds is the way to win this battle. Shut off the money and the ability of churches to lobby for anti gay measures, and you will stop their ability to create, push and pass anti gay measures.

[ellius101]

18. Heres a link to help remove Mormon church from tax exemp status

From GLT forum

http://www.mormonsstoleourrights.com/

[nichomachus]

20. Here's an organization that's already on the case

http://www.mormonsstoleourrights.com/

[Bippity Boo]

21. IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN

Sorry, but there are millions of people who live Mormonism 24/7. Somehow I think they will fight harder to keep their religion's status than anyone who only has anti-Mormonism as a part-time hobby for political reasons could.

I can understand how it's a way to vent anger tho, so go for it. Impotent gestures (such as me posting this, which will be ignored and ridiculed) are sometimes fun.

[FatDave]

23. Well, the easiest way for them to keep their tax-exempt status...

...would be to get the fuck out of politicking.

[gollygee]

24. Even if their tax-exempt status doesn't change

which I am afraid to say I agree isn't likely, it's a good act of demonstration. It's as effective as standing with a picket sign.

[Ranting_Wacko]

27. Nice to see that "Yes, We Can" spirit hasn't left you yet. -nt-

[Starry Messenger]

22. k & r

[FatDave]

25. Not to rain on any parades...

...but would it make more sense to wait until January 21st for this? Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great idea, I just wonder if we wouldn't be more effective with friends in the executive branch.

[Ranting_Wacko]

26. Not neccesarily...

People are good and upset about this now. I'd rather channel their energies into something now, have it fail, and increase their determination to keep trying from now until then, rather than to say "Wait 3 months."

People have short memories, even the best of us.

[FatDave]

28. Good point. Carry on.

:toast: