If Freedom of Religion is guaranteed by the First Amendment and Churches are not allowed to engage in politics

Question

in order to retain their tax exempt status, why are so many Christians convinced that this is a Christian Nation?

I think the Pastors/Priests are crossing the line in their sermons. If this is so, they need to have their tax exempt status revoked. This is the law of the land and if they cannot respect it, then they should pay the consequences AND the taxes.

Answer 1

Let me guess. You're not a constitutional lawyer.

Answer 2

Careful there Padre Guildo, does the Pope know Ur out???I don't know why Idiots have so misconstrued this part of our Govt., but they do. In England & most of Europe at the time our Constitution was written, Ur choice of worship was Dictated to U! Our Founding Fathers didn't want that to continue into this new Nation, so they simply wrote it into our Constitution that the Govt. would NOT Establish or Recognize any "National" Religion. This DOES NOT mean that Religious Orgs. cannot act as Lobbyists or rally their people into a Politically Active Block (which is Evil) it simply means that ANY Church as an Organization CANNOT be or become a part of our Govt. . PERIOD!!! Now as U know Padre, the Business of Harvesting Souls through GUILT IS BIG BUSINESS SECOND TO NONE!!! So the "Business" has a choice, "PAY TAXES" & "STAY INDEPENDENT" or "BECOME TAX EXEMPT" and "SELL OUT UR PEOPLE INTO SLAVERY"!!! As far as "Priests / Pastors" crossing the line, if they did , they didn't go far enough!!!! My friend, a lot of Christians aren't, according to Scripture. They are, as in the "O'l West", when the "Injuns" was Heathens & we the"White Man" who killed the "Red Savage" were all "Christians". As long as Satan is the Ruler of Cosmos Diabolicus, we will never be a "Christian Nation" as our Founding Fathers intended. John

Answer 3

As non-profit entities, they should not pay taxes. However, as non-profit entities they cannot or should not be able to endorse any candidate. Maybe that is part of the solution, in order to maintain that non-profit status, you cannot allow anyone that is currently and legally engaged in running for elective office to make speeches within your building. Biographies and pamphlets, okay, but actual speeches must be held outside of church walls. If the contestant currently holds a role of leadership within a religious organization, that can be grandfathered in with some restrictions on cross-integrating political and religious topics.
...like if you are religious in the political arena, you will be required have to explain what level of Operating Thetan you are or what your position is within the Mormon Church or what statement your religion has on all humanity issues, and explain which issues are sacrosanct to your daily life and religion and explain which religions or non-religions in which your sacrosanct values clash. (a requirement of study of all other religions in comparison)
It will remain possible, but harder for those religious organizations to mix into the political arena....it's just an idea.

Answer 4

I say screw the tax status!

I think that Catholicism is RIGHT ON when it comes to abortion! If lives are at stake, let the government try to tax the Catholic Church and see what happens. I don't know about anybody else, but I contribute because it's the right thing to do, not because I get a tax benefit!

And would the United States government actually want the following to be it's motto?

IF YOU WANT FREEDOM OF SPEECH, YOU MUST PAY!!!

Answer 5

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Your misstating the constitution. Congress can not establish a religion nor prohibit the free practice of it.

Translation the goverment have to keep their hands off religion.

OR The abridging of free speech.

I disagree with churches even applying for tax exempt status however the government may not censor religious leaders especially in the pulpits no matter how much they disagree with them.

Or petition the government for the redress of grievances. or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Religion has just as much right to protest and to seek to change laws in the United States as anyone else.

Yes even us religious kooks have our rights protected. Try reading the constitution instead of believing the talking points your fed by the media.

Answer 6

Oddly enough, the First Amendment separation of church and state is NOT a two-way street. The State has no authority to dictate religion, but ministers and priests are free to discuss politics. It does no harm to their tax-exempt status, as far as I know.

Answer 7

I agree that if they are endorsing political candidates, or a political party, or insisting that the US is a Christian nation, then yes, they should have their tax exempt status removed.

However, I see no problem whatsoever in the churches expressing their stance on certain issues. They have that right.

Answer 8

Witness the erosion of American values.

They are convinced this nation was founded as Christian because of revisionist history.

The day the United States becomes a christian nation forbidding the utterance of the word God (lord's name in vain), working on sunday (keep holy the sabbath), and outlaws all relgion except christianity (no false gods), is the day america (freedom of speech, freedom of religion) ceases to exist. If we pay attention, that day will never come.

Answer 9

No problem with me..I guarantee you God has the money and he puts it in the hands of his people..
Churches should start to pay taxes and VERY ACTIVELY get into politics and take this nation back.. You have the greatest idea ever.. Then we could more than cross the line and stay across it, paying a few taxes is nothing.. Christians are blessed.

Answer 10

Why are so many heathen convinced that they have to fight so hard against God and the church of Jesus Christ.
The 1st amendment says NOTHING about churches can't engage in politics. You should read the letters of the founding fathers and quit taking a few obscure sentences and phrases out of their letters and really get educated! They came here exactly FOR this nation to be founded and based on the principles of Almighty God and everything in the founding OF it gave God, and the Lord Jesus Christ all glory and honor by NAME!
Makes me wonder if anyone ever read the preamble to the Constitution or the Bill of Rights or the HISTORICAL RECORDS!!
Whew!
Unbelievers in God are terrified of those who DO believe and our rights..., also terrified of God Himself!
What do you think Christians will do if we continue to vote and run for office? Spread more love and freedom and morality around and make this a safe place for families and children and YOU!?
May God bless you and keep YOUR "Free Will" intact for your ability to moan and complain about the freedoms PRAYER and FAITH and BLOOD OF THE SAINTS bought for you!!

Answer 11

Most real Christians are NOT convinced this is a Christian nation. Here's the big problem, MOST people don't even know what a true follower of Christ (Christian) exemplifies, especially in America. That word is just being thrown around and alot of people don't actually know what it means to be Christian.