this post was submitted on 17 Jan 2024
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Churches campaigning for Trump? Take away their tax-exempt status.

Non Paywalled Link: https://ghostarchive.org/archive/x2zrw

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[–] Botanicals@lemmy.world 117 points 9 months ago (23 children)

Remember, if you see or hear a church actively campaigning for any sort of politics you can report them and get their tax free status taken away. 👍

[–] Ghostalmedia@lemmy.world 28 points 9 months ago (2 children)

That’s the brilliant thing about the making politics about cultural issues. Churches can campaign for culture shit all day long. They just can’t say “vote for _____.”

[–] Theprogressivist@lemmy.world 42 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

But Trump has made clear he won’t punish churches that violate the Johnson amendment in 2024, even vowing on a Christian nationalist broadcast last May that he’ll abolish the prohibition if reelected.

But that's exactly what they're doing.

[–] Jaysyn@kbin.social 8 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

Even when they do, and I have sent in photos of a local church with "Trump 2020" on their placard, nothing at all happens to them.

They aren't even contacted as far as I can tell.

[–] gAlienLifeform@lemmy.world 7 points 9 months ago

Maybe cc a news organization or three on the email to the IRS next time and they can do some follow-up reporting on it?

Failing that, there ought to be some way a lawsuit could get filed that could force the IRS to do their job, though that'd be an expensive and time consuming thing

[–] Gormadt@lemmy.blahaj.zone 11 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I didn't know that was a thing that could happen

I've got to do some research because my grandparents church has been doing this since Bush Sr.

[–] Son_of_dad@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Not a single church ever has had their tax status taken away for politics. It doesn't happen

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[–] tacosanonymous@lemm.ee 10 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I mean, it’s supposed to work that way but that's extremely rare.

[–] Theprogressivist@lemmy.world 40 points 9 months ago (6 children)

If enough get reported, especially since now it's been vocalized and reported. They're going to be forced to do something about it. I acknowledge it is wishful thinking, though, but don't give up. Report these fucks either way.

[–] Telorand@reddthat.com 24 points 9 months ago

Doing something about it has a non-zero chance of success.

Doing nothing about it has a guaranteed chance of failure.

[–] Hyperreality@kbin.social 15 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Can I report a church I don't attend, just so they become paranoid about who snitched?

[–] Theprogressivist@lemmy.world 22 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

Yup, as long as they're campaigning for Trump or campaigning for political figures in general, have at it.

[–] admiralteal@kbin.social 12 points 9 months ago

Someone with some cyberintelligence background could have a lot of fun setting their software to search for social media posts from pastors/churches looking for explicit political messaging.

[–] knobbysideup@sh.itjust.works 7 points 9 months ago

Maybe talk to the local news about it.

[–] PseudoSpock@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 9 months ago

Record it happening so you have evidence to back it up. Get it onto social media so everyone can help report it, too!

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[–] grue@lemmy.world 49 points 9 months ago (1 children)

This is what you get when you consistently don't crack down on churches abusing their tax-exempt status starting a decade (or longer) ago.

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[–] thesprongler@lemmy.world 48 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Fine, as long as they have their tax exempt status removed.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 19 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

They won't, because the politicians they elect will defend their base of support.

This isn't like when Obama/Pelosi went after ACORN in 2009. Or SCOTUS struck down the right of unions to fund raise for candidates under the Janis decision. Or FOX News spent months freaking out over the Ground Zero Mosque. Or Midwestern governors tried to cancel Sunday early voting in order to undermine "Souls to the Polls" black Evangelical turnout. These are people with real money and influence who aren't to be fucked with.

Conservatives will tap that reserve whole heartedly. Liberals will just shrug and say they can't be taxed because of The Norms.

[–] teamevil@lemmy.world 44 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Absolutely remove the tax exemption if they are trying to get political

[–] LaunchesKayaks@lemmy.world 10 points 9 months ago

Just remove the exemption no matter what at this point

[–] carl_dungeon@lemmy.world 39 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Christofacists are the fucking worst

[–] Untitled4774@sh.itjust.works 7 points 9 months ago

I hate Illinois nazis

[–] NABDad@lemmy.world 34 points 9 months ago (3 children)

Someone commented a while ago that "Nationalist Christians" is a better name for these groups because it conveniently reduces to an easy to remember abbreviation: NatC's

I really think we should push that.

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[–] Fapper_McFapper@lemmy.world 34 points 9 months ago (3 children)

Yes, violate your 501c status. We’re watching and ready to report you.

[–] Telorand@reddthat.com 17 points 9 months ago (3 children)

Effectively 1/3 of the US is Nones (and growing). I don't have the breakdown in front of me, but a sizeable number are "switchers," people who left their childhood religion.

I'm personally now an ex-fundigelical antitheist, so I would relish the opportunity to report them!

[–] ilinamorato@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago

I'm a currently exvangelical Christian and I would also relish the opportunity to report them.

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[–] SinningStromgald@lemmy.world 32 points 9 months ago (5 children)

If anyone finds any especially with video evidence I am more than happy to take a minute to report the shits to the IRS.

[–] CosmicTurtle@lemmy.world 20 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Also keep in mind that there's often a reward for turning in tax fraud. Not that should motivate you.

[–] SinningStromgald@lemmy.world 13 points 9 months ago

Didn't know that and don't care about it when it comes to this.

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[–] Leviathan@lemmy.world 17 points 9 months ago

I don't get it, if I went to a church and they even mentioned a political candidate I'd never return. That's probably why I'm an atheist now.

[–] Snapz@lemmy.world 13 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

Definitely not a rat that made a wish to be a human man.

[–] ratcliff@lemmy.wtf 2 points 9 months ago

Looks like a used car salesman

[–] DarkGamer@kbin.social 13 points 9 months ago

Enforce the Johnson amendment

[–] eestileib@sh.itjust.works 2 points 9 months ago

It's not like the IRS would do anything about it.

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