IRS Strikes Deal With Atheists To Monitor Churches

[AgeofKnowledge]

Government's assault on religious liberty has hit a new low as the IRS settles with atheists by promising to monitor sermons for mentions of the right to life and traditional marriage.

A lawsuit filed by the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) asserted that the Internal Revenue Service ignored complaints about churches' violating their tax-exempt status by routinely promoting political issues, legislation and candidates from the pulpit.

The FFRF has temporarily withdrawn its suit in return for the IRS's agreement to monitor sermons and homilies for proscribed speech that the foundation believes includes things like condemnation of gay marriage and criticism of ObamaCare for its contraceptive mandate.

The irony of this agreement is that it's being enforced by the same Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division of the IRS that was once headed by Lois "Fifth Amendment" Lerner and that openly targeted Tea Party and other conservative groups.

Among the questions that the IRS asked of those targeted groups was the content of their prayers.
Those who objected to the monitoring of what is said and done in mosques for signs of terrorist activity have no problem with this one, though monitoring what's said in houses of worship is a clear violation of the First Amendment. Can you say "chilling effect"?

Congress can make no laws prohibiting the free exercise of religion. So it's not clear where the IRS gets off doing just that by spying on religious leaders lest they comment on issues and activities by government that are contrary to or impose on their religious consciences. Our country was founded by people fleeing this kind of government-monitored and mandated theology last practiced in the Soviet Union.

The FFRF cites as its authority the 1954 Johnson Amendment, which states that tax-exempt groups cannot endorse candidates. A 2009 court ruling determined that the IRS must staff someone to monitor church politicking.
The FFRF claims that the IRS has not adhered to the ruling and that the settlement amounts to enforcing both the Johnson Amendment and the court ruling.

But is the Catholic Church "politicking" when it proclaims its "Fortnight for Freedom" dedicated to opposing ObamaCare's contraceptive mandate and the government's forcing schools and charities it considers an extension of its faith to include it in insurance coverage or face crippling fines?

Are Protestant and evangelical churches "politicking" when they participate in "Pulpit Freedom Sunday" this year on Oct. 5 to encourage congregations to "vote their faith," which they consider to be an exercise of free speech and freedom of religion?

The FFRF says that such events at "rogue churches" have "become an annual occasion for churches to violate the law with impunity." But doesn't the Constitution say that Congress can make no such laws?
Rather than "rogue churches," it's the rogue IRS that needs to be stopped.

IRS Strikes Deal With Atheists To Monitor Sermons And Homilies - Investors.com

IRS Strikes Deal With Atheists to Target Religious Political Activity | Fox News Insider

[video=youtube_share;yohHBQJyGBs]http://youtu.be/yohHBQJyGBs[/video]

Bowing to Atheists, IRS Poised to Target Churches

IRS Agrees to Target Churches | Free Speech, American Center for Law and Justice ACLJ

The IRS Bows To Atheists As They Poise Themselves To Target Churches

 

[skipp]

It is an attack. They could easily twist anything to be "political speech".

 

[AgeofKnowledge]

It's unconstitutional. Our government and society has gotten so far off track the IRS will now be infiltrating churches just like KGB agents used to do in the old atheistic Soviet Union.

It's government totalitarianism on behalf of state atheists and it's a sign of how decayed the U.S. has become. When a government founded on Christian liberty begins to persecute Christians for disseminating the Christian worldview which deals with all aspects of life and society including politics, abortion, sexual immorality, etc... then you have a serious problem especially when an agency is doing it that is currently under investigation for bipartisan corruption (e.g. unfairly targeting conservative groups).

WallBuilders - Issues and Articles - The Founding Fathers on Jesus, Christianity and the Bible

^ Just a few quotes from the founding fathers. You should see read some of the sermons and speeches they gave on immorality. Definitely our founding fathers would find themselves in serious legal trouble with this present government and that right there should bring a measure of clarity to every American.

It is an attack. They could easily twist anything to be "political speech".

 

[iamsoandso]

Government's assault on religious liberty has hit a new low as the IRS settles with atheists by promising to monitor sermons for mentions of the right to life and traditional marriage.

A lawsuit filed by the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) asserted that the Internal Revenue Service ignored complaints about churches' violating their tax-exempt status by routinely promoting political issues, legislation and candidates from the pulpit.

The FFRF has temporarily withdrawn its suit in return for the IRS's agreement to monitor sermons and homilies for proscribed speech that the foundation believes includes things like condemnation of gay marriage and criticism of ObamaCare for its contraceptive mandate.

The irony of this agreement is that it's being enforced by the same Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division of the IRS that was once headed by Lois "Fifth Amendment" Lerner and that openly targeted Tea Party and other conservative groups.

Among the questions that the IRS asked of those targeted groups was the content of their prayers.
Those who objected to the monitoring of what is said and done in mosques for signs of terrorist activity have no problem with this one, though monitoring what's said in houses of worship is a clear violation of the First Amendment. Can you say "chilling effect"?

Congress can make no laws prohibiting the free exercise of religion. So it's not clear where the IRS gets off doing just that by spying on religious leaders lest they comment on issues and activities by government that are contrary to or impose on their religious consciences. Our country was founded by people fleeing this kind of government-monitored and mandated theology last practiced in the Soviet Union.

The FFRF cites as its authority the 1954 Johnson Amendment, which states that tax-exempt groups cannot endorse candidates. A 2009 court ruling determined that the IRS must staff someone to monitor church politicking.
The FFRF claims that the IRS has not adhered to the ruling and that the settlement amounts to enforcing both the Johnson Amendment and the court ruling.

But is the Catholic Church "politicking" when it proclaims its "Fortnight for Freedom" dedicated to opposing ObamaCare's contraceptive mandate and the government's forcing schools and charities it considers an extension of its faith to include it in insurance coverage or face crippling fines?

Are Protestant and evangelical churches "politicking" when they participate in "Pulpit Freedom Sunday" this year on Oct. 5 to encourage congregations to "vote their faith," which they consider to be an exercise of free speech and freedom of religion?

The FFRF says that such events at "rogue churches" have "become an annual occasion for churches to violate the law with impunity." But doesn't the Constitution say that Congress can make no such laws?
Rather than "rogue churches," it's the rogue IRS that needs to be stopped.

IRS Strikes Deal With Atheists To Monitor Sermons And Homilies - Investors.com

IRS Strikes Deal With Atheists to Target Religious Political Activity | Fox News Insider

[video=youtube_share;yohHBQJyGBs]http://youtu.be/yohHBQJyGBs[/video]

Bowing to Atheists, IRS Poised to Target Churches

IRS Agrees to Target Churches | Free Speech, American Center for Law and Justice ACLJ

The IRS Bows To Atheists As They Poise Themselves To Target Churches

well yes!,,if the I.r.s.,,govt. ect. don't shut up the preachers,,,"how would the antichrist have the chance to rise?",,,it's the duuuhh affect,,,hush all the preachers,,

 

[AgeofKnowledge]

The genuine ones will never "hush up." Ever. They didn't in the Soviet Union and they are not in China and places like the Middle East. Genuine pastors have a higher authority to answer to and will act as an uncompromising thorn in the side of apostates and those who reject the truth stinging and searing their consciences with their devotion to God and His uncompromising truth preaching until the end of this age.

well yes!,,if the I.r.s.,,govt. ect. don't shut up the preachers,,,"how would the antichrist have the chance to rise?",,,it's the duuuhh affect,,,hush all the preachers,,

 

[AgeofKnowledge]

Good overview by FRC: Family Research Council

 

[SonInMe]

All of this for tax exemption?

If any pastor does not preach the truth/Truth because they do not want to pay taxes, the church has become apostate.

The worst thing is, its not only atheists who support this intrusion into our churches, its christians too.

Just wait, it will come

 

[Billyd]

When are we going the stop allowing the atheist to claim that they are not a religion? They are as much a religion as any one of the other 200 + non Christian and Christian religions in the world. We know that their freedom from religion junk is actually just freedom from Christianity. It's time for us to demand the same freedom from atheism that they are always demanding from Christian Religions.

 

[dcontroversal]

That is tantamount to the court jester making a deal with the devil's subjects HAHAHH

 

[AgeofKnowledge]

Indeed. Atheists want ALL the benefits of being able to propagate their metaphysical worldview on people, society, and government with NONE of the responsibilities. For the purpose of shaping society, public policy, and government law they are as much a religion as Islam.

When are we going the stop allowing the atheist to claim that they are not a religion? They are as much a religion as any one of the other 200 + non Christian and Christian religions in the world. We know that their freedom from religion junk is actually just freedom from Christianity. It's time for us to demand the same freedom from atheism that they are always demanding from Christian Religions.

 

[kcar]

This is sad but it is not a surprise. We have been heading down this road for a while, and it is only going to get much worse. Christians need to buckle their seat belts, and get serious about their faith (if they aren't already).

A lot is going on, but it seems like so many people are asleep...too caught up with the things of this world to really get the big picture and see what is going on. I think a lot of people are going to be blindsided and wake up totally lost and confused as to how we got where we are.

I think a lot of "christian" people are not ready (and in some cases) willing to stand up for their faith among true persecution. And we are headed down that road. The true believers I believe are going to be sorted from among the others.

My hope and prayer however is "Come Lord Jesus come"

We can see the one world government falling into place. Which means the deliverence of the bride of Christ is even closer. I pray that I will be awake and waiting when He does appear. That could be the very thing that pushes this world into excepting and implementing the system of "the beast". The taking away of the church (and of the one who restrains) the Holy spirit.

 

[crossnote]

The question may soon become will Churches buckle by compromising God's Word so they can keep their tax exempt status?

 

[SonInMe]

The question may soon become will Churches buckle by compromising God's Word so they can keep their tax exempt status?

Some will

Some will not have to because they are liberal.

Some will essentially, go under.

The gate is narrow

 

[Nautilus]

Well maybe if churches want to say whatever they feel like and not be monitored they should just drop their tax-exempt status? Otherwise can't really be mad for people enforcing rules, regardless of how much you disagree with their worldview.

 

[dcontroversal]

The question may soon become will Churches buckle by compromising God's Word so they can keep their tax exempt status?

Or what happens when a gay person walks into a conservative church and asks to join and they say NO...not until u repent and change your lifestyle....

 

[SonInMe]

ya wanna know the real funny part?

christians voted for this administration

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.......

gag

 

[dcontroversal]

The question may soon become will Churches buckle by compromising God's Word so they can keep their tax exempt status?

I replied to this, but wanted to add another thought....Jesus and the church he started with the first disciples said....render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar...would that not also include taxes?

Asking that is.......as in a ? for all to respond to HAHA!

 

[dcontroversal]

ya wanna know the real funny part?

christians voted for this administration

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.......

gag

Well...sheep, by their very nature are........!

And I for sure didn't vote for him.....FOR SURE!

 

[crossnote]

Well maybe if churches want to say whatever they feel like and not be monitored they should just drop their tax-exempt status? Otherwise can't really be mad for people enforcing rules, regardless of how much you disagree with their worldview.

I agree, churches should drop their tax exempt status if push comes to shove, but on the other hand is it a totalitarian government you want that dictates every avenue of our being?
Liberals use to cry 'freedom' but I guess no more.