Pope John Paul's Beatification ....

[whell]

Originally Posted by finnbow

By showing them that the politicians pandering to their religious values are nothing but cynical hypocrites?

So, what do you make of religious leaders making political speeches from the pulpit on Sundays, or passing the collection plate to raise money for a political candidate?

[JonL]

Originally Posted by whell

So, what do you make of religious leaders making political speeches from the pulpit on Sundays, or passing the collection plate to raise money for a political candidate?

No religious institution should have tax exempt status IMO. Let 'em pay taxes, then they can make political contributions same as any other organization... except that's all screwed up now also.

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by whell

So, what do you make of religious leaders making political speeches from the pulpit on Sundays, or passing the collection plate to raise money for a political candidate?

I think the day a preacher starts making political speeches from the pulpit should be the day his church starts paying taxes.

Dave

[d-ray657]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

I think the day a preacher starts making political speeches from the pulpit should be the day his church starts paying taxes.

Dave

That's pretty close to the way the IRS sees it too. I think it has to rise to the level of endorsing a candidate before a church loses it's IRS exemption. However, my partner got a letter from the bishop of his diocese advising that a wrong vote could put his immortal soul in danger. He wrote a pretty good letter to the bishop about his abuse of power.

Regards,

D-Ray

[finnbow]

I remember as a kid in Catholic church in the late '60's that the priest went over the sample ballot from the pulpit telling the congregation how to vote. Nice.

[piece-itpete]

Ah yes, use money to enforce speech restrictions.

Churches have played a pivotal role in US politics from before the revolution.

They are also huge in charity.

Pete

[JonL]

Why should they get preferential tax treatment? Let them pay their share of taxes, let them take the appropriate deduction for their charitable work, and let them say whatever they please. Just like the rest of us.

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

Ah yes, use money to enforce speech restrictions.

Churches have played a pivotal role in US politics from before the revolution.

They are also huge in charity.

Pete

If you engage in political debate, you should HAVE to pay taxes. This does NOT force anyone to stop speaking their minds. You and I do it every day, and we pay our taxes, don't we? So the churches can "pony up or shut up" as far as I'm concerned.

But, then, religious institutions aren't a "sacred cow" to me. (Pun intended.)

Dave

[piece-itpete]

We eat beef. Not only beef, but on Fridays to boot.

Pete

[finnbow]

What do you guys make of this?

"More than 75 professors at Catholic University and other prominent Catholic colleges have written a pointed letter to Mr. Boehner saying that the Republican-supported budget he shepherded through the House of Representatives will hurt the poor, elderly and vulnerable, and therefore he has failed to uphold basic Catholic moral teaching.

“Mr. Speaker, your voting record is at variance from one of the Church’s most ancient moral teachings,” the letter says. “From the apostles to the present, the Magisterium of the Church has insisted that those in power are morally obliged to preference the needs of the poor. Your record in support of legislation to address the desperate needs of the poor is among the worst in Congress. This fundamental concern should have great urgency for Catholic policy makers. Yet, even now, you work in opposition to it.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/12/us/12catholic.html