O'Rourke - Churches and Tax Exempt status

[jimnyc]

So this twit wants to take away the tax exempt status unless they approve of gay marriage. Go against what you believe in, or we screw you. What won't the democrats do or offer for votes? Stupidest one yet though. He wants to pander to gays and others - but he likely underestimates how many he would lose with this stupidity. Maybe a vote or 2 from atheist shitbricks.

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Beto threatens tax-exempt status of churches if they don't support gay marriage

Democratic presidential hopeful Beto O'Rourke says he'd strip churches of tax-exempt status if they don't support same-sex marriage.

When the former Texas congressman was asked if religious institutions -- "colleges, churches, charities" -- should be stripped of tax-exempt status Thursday night by CNN anchor Don Lemon during the LGBTQ town hall, he immediately responded, "Yes."

The crowd erupted in applause before O'Rourke further explained.

https://i.imgur.com/Vf9597B.png

"There can be no reward, no benefit, no tax break for anyone or any institution, any organization in America, that denies the full human rights and the full civil rights of every single one of us," he said. "So as president, we're going to make that a priority, and we are going to stop those who are infringing upon the human rights of our fellow Americans."

Rest - https://www.foxnews.com/politics/beto-church-of-tax-exempt-status-gay-marriage?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20foxnews%2Fpolitics%20%28Int ernal%20-%20Politics%20-%20Text%29&utm_content=Yahoo%20Search%20Results


Fact check: O'Rourke said he would support removing tax-exemptions for religious institutions that oppose same sex marriage. Is that legal?

(CNN)At CNN's Equality Town Hall focused on LGBTQ issues and co-hosted by the Human Rights Campaign, 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke was asked by CNN's Don Lemon if he thought "religious institutions like colleges, churches, charities, should they lose their tax-exempt status if they oppose same-sex marriage?"

"Yes," O'Rourke replied, adding that "there can be no reward, no benefit, no tax break for anyone or any institution, any organization in America that denies the full human rights and the full civil rights of every single one of us."

Facts First: Legal precedent is pretty clear in determining that denying tax-exempt status based on a group's viewpoint would be in violation of the First Amendment.

Beto's explanation

In response to whether O'Rourke believes his plan would be constitutional, Aleigha Cavalier, O'Rourke's national press secretary, told CNN that "Beto was referring to religious institutions who take discriminatory action."

If O'Rourke was not referring to viewpoint discrimination but rather to discriminatory action as his campaign says, there is legal precedent for organizations to lose their tax-exempt status if they engage in such actions.

Camilla Taylor, director of constitutional litigation for Lambda Legal, one of the oldest organizations focused on LGBT rights, told CNN "In the past, the Supreme Court upheld the IRS when they issued a revenue ruling that educational institutions that discriminate on race do not qualify as charitable institutions given that they are acting contrary to public policy."

"My reading is that Beto feels it would be consistent to treat LGBT discrimination in the same way," Taylor said.

First Amendment issues

Lemon's question, however, was whether O'Rourke would be in favor of denying tax-exempt status if a religious organization "opposed same sex marriage," not if they took broader discriminatory action. This left many wondering if such a move would violate the constitution.

"It's open and shut," Eugene Volokh, a professor at UCLA School of Law and First Amendment expert, told CNN. "Everything old is new again. In the 1950s, various governments tried to do that -- they were going after supposed communists."

Volokh pointed to the 1958 Supreme Court case Speiser v. Randall over California's decision to require applicants for certain tax exemptions to sign a loyalty oath to the US and the State of California. The Court ruled that California could not impose the oath and in the opinion, progressive Justice William Brennan wrote that "a discriminatory denial of a tax exemption for engaging in speech is a limitation on free speech."

"The court made clear that if you deny a tax exemption it's the same as a fine," Volokh said. "So, one question you might ask is, would it be permissible to say we're going to impose a fine on any group or any religious group that takes a particular view about same-sex marriage? The answer is of course not. Clearly it would be a First Amendment violation."

Rest - https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/11/politics/beto-orourke-lgbtq-gay-marriage-church-fact-check/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_allpolitics+%28RSS% 3A+CNN+-+Politics%29&utm_content=Yahoo+Search+Results

[Noir]

Remove all tax exemptions from all churches regardless of their stated beliefs. Simple.

[FakeNewsSux]

Remove all tax exemptions from all churches regardless of their stated beliefs. Simple.

Would you remove tax exemptions from all charitable organizations?

[jimnyc]

What this all boils down to is shitheads that can 'live and let live'. Everything is fine and on the up and up across the board. But some wake up in the morning, repeat again that they don't believe - but then feel it necessary to try and come down on those that do. Unless I push something on someone, then they should fuck off and mind their own. But this IS about beliefs, and non-beliefs. Folks truly truly truly get incensed and angry because others DO believe in a particular religion, usually christians, but all in general. They don't feel what comes with it. Therefore, they and their miserable selves have to try and come down on the believers. Otherwise, no one is harming anyone, other than their lame feelings about those who choose to believe and follow their religion.

And if their wee little feelings get hurt, then go ahead and push - because if they are/were or want to kill the tax exempt, then they would/should do the same with colleges & charities and such. Perhaps folks disagree with those things as well, and therefore they should lose the status. But it's always solely about what they disagree with, but wouldn't worry about the others getting their status, and may even disagree with them losing it as well.

I say if you don't like it and you don't agree, then leave it at that or fuck off. Or perhaps we can also try to seek out and go after any freebies of sorts or benefits for the "cuckoo mental lbtq I can't know which of the 2100 genders there are". I mean, never mind the 'what happens in private is their business', or 'why should their relationships matter to me'. I disagree and I don't think any of my monies should be used to benefit them in anyway. I don't like it, therefore everyone should be against.

The world today IS like we all always read "Woke up today, what offends me today?" And fruityfuckers are always offended by stupid shit left and right and up and down, and then start in with demands and what not. Fuck that.

At the end of the day, won't matter anyway. The atheist idiots have been trying shit like this for a long time, and fail. And no way this happens anyway, just roberto pandering for votes.

[jimnyc]

Would you remove tax exemptions from all charitable organizations?

Typed during same time. Yup, if one remove them all.

[Noir]

Would you remove tax exemptions from all charitable organizations?

Yes.

[FakeNewsSux]

Yes.

Because no matter what benefit the society receives from the various activities of these charities the all powerful state is due its cut of the action to maintain and expand its' power?

[Noir]

Because no matter what benefit the society receives from the various activities of these charities the all powerful state is due its cut of the action to maintain and expand its' power?

Charity organisations, religious or not, are part of the society in which they operate, and derive the benefits thereof. They should be treated equally.

[FakeNewsSux]

Charity organisations, religious or not, are part of the society in which they operate, and derive the benefits thereof. They should be treated equally.

They are, they all receive the same benefit.

[Noir]

They are, they all receive the same benefit.

and yet look at how hard Scientology had to fight to get tax exemption status. There are already checkpoints in place to separate different corporations based on definitions of terms like ‘religion’. Remove the checkpoints, remove exempt status, level the field.

[FakeNewsSux]

and yet look at how hard Scientology had to fight to get tax exemption status. There are already checkpoints in place to separate different corporations based on definitions of terms like ‘religion’. Remove the checkpoints, remove exempt status, level the field.

Ah yes, unwillingness or inability to enforce the law or to do the right thing demands that all who abide by the law and rules of common decency be punished. After all, when are we finally going to admit to the basic fraud of all religions and submit to the omnipotence and supremacy of the state as the one true provider and savior of mankind.

[Noir]

Ah yes, unwillingness or inability to enforce the law or to do the right thing demands that all who abide by the law and rules of common decency be punished. After all, when are we finally going to admit to the basic fraud of all religions and submit to the omnipotence and supremacy of the state as the one true provider and savior of mankind.

Well said. :clap:

[FakeNewsSux]

Well said. :clap:

The clapping hands don't seem quite appropriate. You should have gone with the upward thrusting hand and a hearty "Sieg Heil!"

[Elessar]

This gets too far, clouded and deep.

liberals want to govern churches in spite of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

I don't give a shit how many LGBT people are out there.

Point in fact is they are a minority, and a minority should not override a majority.
They can whine all they want, I don't give a shit.


Read the various facts on this link and tell me how 4.5% can push their agenda on
everyone: https://www.bing.com/search?q=lgbt%20percentages&pc=cosp&ptag=G6C999A6FBDEF32E2&form=CONMHP&conlogo=CT3210127

[CSM]

Charity organisations, religious or not, are part of the society in which they operate, and derive the benefits thereof. They should be treated equally.

Good idea really.... let the Chinese take care of all those starving kids in China my mother used to tell me about. Tsunami victims in countries outside the US better learn to swim! Refugees headed to Europe better get their home country to give them better boats...

I really do like Noir's viewpoint. Now I wont feel guilty when I refuse to donate to charity and especially that supposedly help people in other countries.

Let's face it.... non-profit, charitable organizations benefit from their actions .....

[jimnyc]

Good idea really.... let the Chinese take care of all those starving kids in China my mother used to tell me about. Tsunami victims in countries outside the US better learn to swim! Refugees headed to Europe better get their home country to give them better boats...

I really do like Noir's viewpoint. Now I wont feel guilty when I refuse to donate to charity and especially that supposedly help people in other countries.

Let's face it.... non-profit, charitable organizations benefit from their actions .....

The amount of money the US comes up with for others in need is incredible. Whether that be government aid or individuals donating to charity. And the fucktards in other countries that always whine about this and that, they don't do jack shit except sit back and judge the USA. It must be downright miserable to live in some of those places.

[jimnyc]

Kinda how I feel. I won't be going out of my way to give a crap about this group of people, "live and let live" type of thing I suppose, but no way in hell I bow down to their demands. I'll give them a mile in leaving them alone, but not a single damn inch in bowing to demands.

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Rev. Graham on Beto: 'I Will Not Bow Down at the Altar of the LGBTQ Agenda'

In reference to Democratic presidential contender Beto O'Rourke's position that he wants to remove the tax-exempt status of churches if they do not support "gay marriage," Rev. Franklin Graham said this is like what the socialists did in Eastern Europe after WWII and added that he "will not bow down at the altar of the LGBTQ agenda nor worship their rainbow pride flag."

During CNN's Oct. 10 town hall to promote homosexuality and quiz the Democratic candidates on their LGBT views, CNN's Don Lemon asked O'Rourke about his gay agenda: "This is what you write. 'Freedom of religion is a fundamental right but it should not be used to discriminate.' Do you think religious institutions like colleges, churches, charities, should they lose their tax exempt status if they oppose same sex marriage?"

O'Rourke said, "Yes. There can be no reward, no benefit, no tax break for anyone or any institution, any organization in America that denies the full human rights and the full civil rights of every single one of us.

"And so as president, we're going to make that a priority, and we are going to stop those who are infringing upon the human rights of our fellow Americans," said the former congressman from Texas.

The next day, Franklin Graham posted on Facebook, "CNN hosted an 'Equality in America' town hall Thursday night focusing on gay & lesbian issues and asking questions of candidates running in the 2020 Democratic presidential race. Beto O’Rourke threatened that if any church, religious organization, university, etc. did not go along with their LGBTQ platform including same-sex marriage and gay/transgender rights, they should lose their tax-exempt status -- the audience cheered."

Rest - https://www.cnsnews.com/blog/michael-w-chapman/rev-graham-beto-i-will-not-bow-down-altar-lgbtq-agenda

[Elessar]

This gets too far, clouded and deep.

liberals want to govern churches in spite of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

I don't give a shit how many LGBT people are out there.

Point in fact is they are a minority, and a minority should not override a majority.
They can whine all they want, I don't give a shit.


Read the various facts on this link and tell me how 4.5% can push their agenda on
everyone: https://www.bing.com/search?q=lgbt%20percentages&pc=cosp&ptag=G6C999A6FBDEF32E2&form=CONMHP&conlogo=CT3210127

I will repeat the previous post I mounted, saying 4.5% of the population should not
be allowed to dictate to the other people. Some are neutral on the LGBT issue. I am,
but majority rules. I have G and L friends, and they do not run their mouths like the politicians
on the left do. They just want to be left alone.

[Russ]

During CNN's Oct. 10 town hall to promote homosexuality and quiz the Democratic candidates on their LGBT views, CNN's Don Lemon asked O'Rourke about his gay agenda: "This is what you write. 'Freedom of religion is a fundamental right but it should not be used to discriminate.' Do you think religious institutions like colleges, churches, charities, should they lose their tax exempt status if they oppose same sex marriage?"

O'Rourke said, "Yes. There can be no reward, no benefit, no tax break for anyone or any institution, any organization in America that denies the full human rights and the full civil rights of every single one of us.



Could there be a more hollow man than Beto O'Rourke on the face of this Earth?

First, he doesn't even believe in this statement himself. He believes only in kissing up and pandering to whatever group of people is standing in front of him at the moment. He stands for nothing. He would say a totally contradictory thing tomorrow if he were in front of a different special interest group - such as, say, a group of Muslims.

Second, the church does not 'deny human rights' to people. The Christian church doesn't stop LGB people from living their lives, and only takes a stand against gay marriage as far as I know - which is legal now anyway so the Christian church isn't preventing that either.

What's your point here, Beto? Is it just pander-pander-pander, as I suspect?

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Ah yes, unwillingness or inability to enforce the law or to do the right thing demands that all who abide by the law and rules of common decency be punished. After all, when are we finally going to admit to the basic fraud of all religions and submit to the omnipotence and supremacy of the state as the one true provider and savior of mankind.

EXACTAMONDO-- Dead on target, that is the main goal of the libs/socialists/leftists /dems and majority of their allies.

Here is the problem with removing tax exempt status for religious groups/entities that do not accept gay marriage.....

What is the dem party going to do in regards to Islam?????
They loathe and hate gays-- to the point of demanding death to them.....
O' yes, why give Islamists an exemption-as they did with the obamacare bullshit the corrupt bastards forced upon us..
See how that works-- pass laws and regulations that punish some and favor others--no problem for ffing dems.
Fairness, equality and true justice under the law be damn--that is the dem party...
It is by any logical standard, an hardcore avowed enemy to this nation..
Such is a glaring fact-- that the dem party, federal government/mainstream/ media demands and enforces by various means
-- must be ignored, as if that injustice, inequity and illegal action does not exist.
Dem party, is operating under an agenda to destroy the Constitution, reform this nation as a socialistic/communist type
entity-- Another sad, dangerous and glaring fact (one sponsored by their other powerful ally-- the globalist consortium).
Which is why I call them damn traitors.. That is what they are.... I despise them.:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: --Tyr

[STTAB]

Remove all tax exemptions from all churches regardless of their stated beliefs. Simple.


I agree with this actually. Just do away with the exemption and then get the government out of church altogether. If a church wants to endorse a candidate, they should be able to do so.'


But, Beto is obviously an idiot. You can't tell a church they will lose an exemption if they don't believe what you believe. That's the entire point behind the first amendment the government can't e rewarding churches they agree with

[STTAB]

Could there be a more hollow man than Beto O'Rourke on the face of this Earth?

First, he doesn't even believe in this statement himself. He believes only in kissing up and pandering to whatever group of people is standing in front of him at the moment. He stands for nothing. He would say a totally contradictory thing tomorrow if he were in front of a different special interest group - such as, say, a group of Muslims.

Second, the church does not 'deny human rights' to people. The Christian church doesn't stop LGB people from living their lives, and only takes a stand against gay marriage as far as I know - which is legal now anyway so the Christian church isn't preventing that either.

What's your point here, Beto? Is it just pander-pander-pander, as I suspect?

Of course it is pandering. Look at the top say 6 Democrats running right now, there isn't a single liberal proposal out there that they won't vigorously nod their heads "yes yes yes I would do that" even though you know that as six different individual people there is no way they ALL agree with every lunatic proposal they are asked about.

The DNC simply didn't learn their lesson in 2016. Voters are tired of disingenuous people. That's how a jerk won. He may be a jerk, but at least he's genuine, if he says something he believes it and if he believes something he's damn sure gonna speak up.

Does anyone REALLY think Beto believes that churches that don't accept gay marriage should receive different exemptions from those that do? Does anyone really believe that Kamala Harris believes we should ban beef? Does anyone believe that Elizabeth Warren thinks that zeroing out student loans would rectify anything? These people literally stand for NOTHING.

[jimnyc]

--

Trump Condemns Beto's IRS Attack on Churches That Oppose Same-Sex Marriage

At the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, President Donald Trump issued a powerful rebuke to former Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas), who called for the IRS to revoke the tax-exempt status of churches and religious groups that oppose same-sex marriage. The president vowed that he would "never allow the federal government to be used to target, harass, or punish communities of faith."

"On every front, the ultra-left is waging war on the values shared by everyone in this room," Trump warned. "They are trying to silence and punish the speech of Christians and religious believers of all faiths… They resent and disdain faithful Americans who hold fast to our nation’s historic values and if given the chance, they would use every instrument of government power, including the IRS, to try to shut you down."

While Democrats have attacked Trump nominees for their religious convictions — especially on hot-button cultural issues like same-sex marriage — O'Rourke reached a new low when he advocated for the IRS to revoke the tax-exempt status of religious schools, charities, and churches that define marriage as between one man and one woman. The president did not refer to O'Rourke by name, but he did condemn this weaponizing of the IRS.

"Just a few days ago, a Democrat running for president proposed revoking the tax-exempt status of many churches and religious groups," the president said. "And you know why, and you know who it is. He’s a wacko."

Then Trump made a promise that elicited loud applause and cheers from the audience: "I will never allow the federal government to be used to target, harass, or punish communities of faith. And I will never allow the IRS to be used as a political weapon."

Under President Barack Obama, the IRS targeted tea party organizations for special scrutiny, resulting in delayed and denied applications for tax-exempt status. The Obama administration repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, but the IRS paid a hefty settlement to tea party groups in 2017.

Rest - https://pjmedia.com/faith/trump-condemns-betos-irs-attack-on-churches-that-oppose-same-sex-marriage/

[STTAB]

I will repeat the previous post I mounted, saying 4.5% of the population should not
be allowed to dictate to the other people. Some are neutral on the LGBT issue. I am,
but majority rules. I have G and L friends, and they do not run their mouths like the politicians
on the left do. They just want to be left alone.


My children's godfather is gay. He and his husband believe these LGBTQABCDEFG folks are nuts. They just want to live their lives like everyone else. You won't see me at a straight pride parade waving my penis at ever woman that walks by and you won't ever see him at a gay pride parade waving his at every man.

We discuss this and we liken these morons to the idiot "fans" of teams who go out and destroy shit when their team wins. They were just looking for an excuse to act like idiots.