Canadian church loses tax-exempt status over "political" views of gays, divorce, abortion

[Bluebear]

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has revoked the charitable status of Kings Glory Fellowship (KGF), a Christian church in Calgary. CRA cites a number of issues with KGF's application, but the decision is based, in part, on the ground that certain KGF Board members have spoken out strongly against abortion, and other moral issues. "The members of the Board of Directors espouse strong negative views about sensitive and controversial issues, which may also be viewed as political, such as abortion, homosexuality, divorce, etc.,” wrote CRA agent Dian Prodanov in an October 29th letter.

These “political” views make the church ineligible because, according to the agent, a registered charity “may only engage in non-partisan political activities as long as it devotes substantially all (usually 90% or more) of its resources to charitable activities." KGF's pastor, Artur Pawlowski, is also the founder and pastor of Street Church Ministries, which has made headlines because of its battle with the city of Calgary to uphold its right to preach to and serve the city's poor.

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/jan/10012102.html

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Let us pay attention to those intelligent folks North of us...

[BrklynLiberal]

2. Let us pay attention to those intelligent folks North of us...

[Swede]

3. That just makes too much sense.

Way too much sense.

[glinda]

4. justice

[aquart]

5. GO CANADA!!!

[Terra Alta]

6. Good!!

now how soon can we do the same to churches that spread their message of hate here in the US??? Not soon enough!!

[applegrove]

7. I'm so happy.

[Initech]

8. Why can that not happen here?

Shit churches and hate-groups like Focus On The Family would be losing their tax-exempt status left and right. We'd totally rejuvenate our economy this way. Shit, that fucker Rick Warren gets $2 million from his congregation just by asking for it - and he pays no fucking taxes. Time to tax the shit out of them.

[kelly1mm]

9. Because Canada does not have the US 1st amendment. nt

[customerserviceguy]

10. Bravo!

What happens to Canadian churches if the political tide turns, and progressive causes that other churches support based on their doctrinal beliefs become unpopular?

We didn't have income tax and slavery at the same time in the US, but I'd venture to say that if we did, there would have been people calling for taxing churches that supported abolition.

[Arugula Latte]

12. Tax all churches.

Buncha leeches.

[Clintonista2]

15. The vast majority of churches do very good work for the poor

and don't preach politics from the pulpit. I think the current system is fine so long as it's enforced.

[Initech]

17. Yeah but for every church that does that, there's 10 that have 40,000+ members.

There's churches here in So Cal that have at least that many and have huge, elaborate buildings - you know they're the ones out to make money.

[Clintonista2]

19. That's why, as I said, the system is fine so long as the rules are enforced

Churches like that should not have tax exempt status. However, forcing all churches to pay taxes (as was suggested) would hurt alot of people who need help, mostly the poor.

[Clintonista2]

14. Where does the first amendment say that churches have the right to be tax-exempt?

Don't worry, I won't wait for your reply. I know you don't have one.

[kelly1mm]

21. Like the VAST majority of constitutional law, court decisions and not the text

itself delineate the extent of the protections of the constitution. If the question was serious, which I think not, one could look to a long series of cases beginning with McCulloch v. Maryland 17 U.S. 316 (1819), which, while a banking case, stands for the proposition that the power to tax is the power to destroy. Numerous case flow from that one.

Since I answered your question I would like you to answer mine:

Where in the text of the 4th amendment does it say your email can't be intercepted by the government?

Where in the text of the constitution does it say women have a right to an abortion, of to privacy for that matter?

Don't worry, I won't wait for your reply. I know you don't have one.


So the next time any of these issues come up I am soooooo sure you will stick to your "show me where it says xxx" argument.

Way too typical of what passes for critical thought here on DU sometimes.

[Clintonista2]

22. Sorry, you still didn't answer my question

There is no right under the first amendment for churches to be tax exempt. Try again.

[Bluebear]

20. lol

[Clintonista2]

13. Delete

Replied to the wrong poster

[browntyphoon]

11. Yay.

I'm all for it.

[Vidar]

16. Bravo Canada!

[Union Yes]

18. Thanks for the good news gay bro! knr nt

[HCE SuiGeneris]

23. We should heed our neighbor's wisdom. n/t