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"Basically, we've had enough of Westboro Baptist Church's bullsh*t. We have begun pushing the IRS and the Federal Government to revoke Westboro Baptist Church's tax-exempt status for violation of 501(c)3 tax-exempt law for religious organizations. We believe this a perfectly REASONABLE reaction to the kinds of psychologically violent and abusive (and definitely political) activities Westboro Baptist Church engages in. Please sign the petition via the link listed."
I like the idea, but I think about half of them are lawyers and as crazy as they are they are apparently pretty effective lawyers so tend to win on challenges.
They are about as vile, psychologically violent, and abusive as they come.
I think this is really a matter of degree, not a difference in kind, from other churches.
I don't see how you revoke their tax exemption and let the catholics keep theirs. The catholics threaten millions of people with unimaginable, everlasting punishment, not to mention the fact that they condone and cover up for the rape of children. On balance, I think they're worse.
AFAIK, the only thing houses of worship may not do is endorse or oppose candidates for public office or use their resources in partisan campaigns. This restriction, which is found in federal tax law, is not limited to churches and other religious ministries. In fact, it is applied to every non-profit organization in the country that holds a tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Contrary to the claims of many in the Religious Right, the IRS is not singling out houses of worship for special regulation. Thousands of educational, scientific, charitable and literary organizations hold the 501(c)(3) status, and all must abide by the legal requirement barring involvement in elections.
Non-profit organizations receive tax exemption because their work is charitable, educational or religious. That tax benefit comes with conditions. One requirement is that tax-exempt organizations refrain from involvement in partisan politics. This is a reasonable rule, since tax-exempt groups are supposed to work for the public good, not spend their time and money trying to elect or defeat candidates.
This regulation is also designed to protect the integrity of the election process. Special types of organizations already exist to help political hopefuls win public office. Those groups, such as Political Action Committees, have a different tax status and are organized under a different set of rules than 501(c)(3) groups, rules designed to ensure that the nation's campaign-finance laws are followed. Blurring the distinction between these two types of organizations would harm both religion and politics.
The interesting thing about all this is that certain religious institutions have blatently ignore these stipulations...especially the Pat Robertson's and James Dobsons of the world. They should have had their 501(c)(3) status revoked YEARS ago.
I dislike the Westboro people immensely and would love nothing more than "go Comanche" on them. Ah...the good old days! As to the tax-code, I'm not sure what they are doing will get their exempt status revoked vile as they are. If the IRS isn't going to go after Dobson or Robertson for breaking clear laws concerning exempt status, I doubt they will bother with the Westboro dirt bags.
I like the idea, but I think about half of them are lawyers and as crazy as they are they are apparently pretty effective lawyers so tend to win on challenges.
"Basically, we've had enough of Westboro Baptist Church's bullsh*t. We have begun pushing the IRS and the Federal Government to revoke Westboro Baptist Church's tax-exempt status for violation of 501(c)3 tax-exempt law for religious organizations. We believe this a perfectly REASONABLE reaction to the kinds of psychologically violent and abusive (and definitely political) activities Westboro Baptist Church engages in. Please sign the petition via the link listed."
This is just an uninformed and ad hoc form of revenge. The members of Westboro, despite the fact that they're all insane, have not violated any tax laws. They haven't violated any other laws either. There are simply no grounds for revoking their 501(c)3 status. A petition to do so is just an empty threat in reaction to the fact that they're mean people.
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