The last three election cycles have seen increased mobilization by megachurches in the political arena. These churches however, are forbidden from directly advocating a political position (except on so-called nonpartisan issues like ballot initiatives). Direct advocacy of a poplitical party or a political candidate puts them in violation of their tax exemption.
If it was part of a national effort, would you consider attending a megachurch between August 1 and election day 2008 for the purpose of monitoring for political activity?
2007-02-07 04:06:35 · 11 answers · asked by mullah robertson 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I call president!
2007-02-07 04:08:54 · answer #1 · answered by Militant Agnostic 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Only if it would make an effect. They are more than allowed to speak their piece on the political situation. That is until they also want to claim tax exempt status. The IRS needs to start charging them taxes or they need to stop using their power to back candidates. If my attending churches like a secret shopper would help catch the ones who want to ignore the tax laws, I would.
2007-02-07 04:22:07 · answer #2 · answered by Moonsilk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'd have to have someone doing that within legal boundaries... it wouldn't work with common citizens unless they're given some kind of legal "powers" so to speak. You need stuff that can stand up cleanly in a court of law... and yes, I'd volunteer if it was conducted effectively.
_()_
2007-02-07 04:13:16 · answer #3 · answered by vinslave 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You don't even have to go to the church. Just sign up for a newsletter or two and you'll get more political activism than you know what to do with.
2007-02-07 04:16:21 · answer #4 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sure, plus the pastor could provide me with weeks of good joke material.
2007-02-07 04:09:48 · answer #5 · answered by Bow down to me 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you want the said people (atheists etc) to be unavailable come voting time to me.
2007-02-07 04:12:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well if it's within legal limits and there's no offering plates being passed around i might consider it and if you give me a position of power then i'll be there rotlfmao
2007-02-07 04:15:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure. I'd probably learn more stuff that I could use in arguments against people too.
2007-02-07 04:12:51 · answer #8 · answered by Kharm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
i think the church's first amendment right is to say what it wants
but the whole tax exempt thing, gone
2007-02-07 04:10:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Won't I burst into flames if I enter a church?
2007-02-07 04:12:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋