When Christian groups boycott specific movies, books, etc...?

Question

...why does that not count as participation in the market and result in a loss of tax advantaged status?

I'm referring specifically to heads of churches telling their congregations not to go see a specific movie, or read a specific book.

Answer 1

The money donated to a church has already been taxed by way of income tax paid by the wage earner who then donated. Church employees pay income tax on their earnings paid to them by the church. So now the only church funds that are not taxed, is the funds used to pay church mortgage, insurance and utilities, and money used for charity such as food banks, clothing and shelter for the needy. But I suppose you have the right attitude, punitively tax the churches so there is nothing left for the needy, let the slackers go homeless and starve.
As you have freedom of speech, so do church leaders and members. If YOU boycott something, should YOU have to pay additional taxes? If you don't like what the church is teaching, you may stay home, we won't drag you to our meetings that you find so silly and meaningless.

Answer 2

No Christian group should not boycott specific movies or book
we have the freedom of speech we are individuals and our own choices to choose what we want to read or what movies to watch,you can agree or disagree if you feel it's harmful or offensive to you or family you don't have to read it or watch it
if Christian groups among them self's feel and there own congregation disagree with a specific book or movie that's there right but it doesn't mean they have the right to stop you as a individual regardless if it controversy or not or it may be contradicting you can not discriminate race,creed, or religion
just because a Christian group doesn't like it they can't stop you it's your choice

Tax isn't the issue

Answer 3

I don't think the 501(c)(3) tax status says that the organization can't organize boycotts(?) and it doesn't have anything to do with being in a market. A 501(c)(3) organization can sell things in the open market.

EDIT: I think a 501(c)(3) organization is limited in that it can't endorse or condemn political candidates, but I don't think there are any similar restrictions for reading material, etc.

Answer 4

The_Dude got it right, as usual. Non-profits are defined by the fact that they do not sell stock, pay dividends, or enrich their directors, not by their market participation.

For instance, Goodwill Industries and the Salvation Army are the largest owners of thrift-stores in the US. Both are non-profit organizations.

Answer 5

Church tax exempt status is not jeopardized by a church leader advising the congregation to not read a book or not see a film. Please provide such a case? I sense you're referencing political activism, which is highly specific and detailed?

Answer 6

Because they don't gain any money. We have a tax advantage because we are a non-profit organization. we gain nothing by choosing not to read a certain book or watch a certain movie, This is America, we can choose not to read a book or watch a.movie

Answer 7

The Bible councils against many behaviors for our good.

Would we not also tell people to be against breathing or drinking battery acid? That is also being against a behavior deemed bad. It is only the vast majority of us agree battery acid is bad for living humans when it goes inside our bodies.

It is also widely acknowledged by experts that watching violent acts in film and on TV can desensitize us to violence, to make a higher level of violence more acceptable. Is this how we want to consciously behave?

Answer 8

If churches are taxed then the church state separation has been violated in which the church would then be free to cross the state lines and try and control the state. Is that what your asking for?

Answer 9

Not only Christian or religious groups; communist groups, Jewish groups, democrat groups, republican groups black groups, white groups, mexican groups, women groups, animal rights groups ...etc, etc, etc sometimes ask their members to boycott something on the market; that's normal. It's their right in a Democratic economy.
What's your point????

Answer 10

I agree that any regliion whose leaders attempt to impose their will or beliefs on others through intimidation or economic force should lose their tax exempt status. 501C3 is a non profit designation, not a religios one.