Welcome to Houston USSR

[Batboy2/75]

I can't wait to read the ramblings of those that will defend this bullshit.

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/10/ ... r-sermons/

[Shafpocalypse Now]

There is a very strict legal precedent, in that a tax exempt organization cannot campaign politically.

This is exactly what those churches are/were doing.

SO, either you can be tax exempt, and not campaign politically for certain topics (and these pastors were calling for political action from their congregations) or you can pay your taxes and campaign all you want.

Guess which these douchbags want?

To be tax exempt and to be politically active. The business of religion in Texas is as corrupt, petty minded, larcenous, and good-old-boy, as everything else here, especially in Houston.

[Shafpocalypse Now]

However, I do feel that this is a touch more intrusive than it needs to be. Conservative Houstonians don't understand how a Lesbian got elected mayor.

[Batboy2/75]

Topics like Homosexuality and morality? How do you depoliticize those from religion?

I could care less about tax exempt status, since I view income taxes & religious tax exempt status as a control mechanism for the douche bag elites. Even if that is the case, then this is a case for IRS and the TX State tax authorities, not the city of Houston.

The political hammer that is used on your enemies will eventually be used on you.

[Shafpocalypse Now]

The law is clear. If you are a tax exempt church, you cannot campaign politically for or against something...these pastors were campaigning against the new anti-discriminatory laws Houston is putting in place. You can yammer on and on about all that shit, but the bottom line is this:

"The Restriction of Political Campaign Intervention by Section 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations

Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.

Certain activities or expenditures may not be prohibited depending on the facts and circumstances. For example, certain voter education activities (including presenting public forums and publishing voter education guides) conducted in a non-partisan manner do not constitute prohibited political campaign activity. In addition, other activities intended to encourage people to participate in the electoral process, such as voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, would not be prohibited political campaign activity if conducted in a non-partisan manner.
On the other hand, voter education or registration activities with evidence of bias that (a) would favor one candidate over another; (b) oppose a candidate in some manner; or (c) have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates, will constitute prohibited participation or intervention.
Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 05-Mar-2014"

Those pastors in Houston crossed this specific line, and a group of them has a lawsuit against Houston for passing the law, Houston's attorney's are gathering evidence to protect themself from the lawsuit, and it's entirely legal, and it's entirely because those pastors decided to politically campaign inside their churches during sermons.

[Batboy2/75]

Again, this a case for the IRS and TX State tax authorities. Not the City of Houston. Nothing more than a thuggish political play by a group of fascists to protect their facist "anti discrimination" law.

[Turdacious]

I've never been to a church where the pastor or priest didn't regularly violate that rule, and I've attended many a non-Catholic service.

Parker's political career is now as dead as the career of that moron who said there was such a thing as 'legitimate rape.'

[Shafpocalypse Now]

"Fascist"? How is it fascist? It's similar to 100s of similar laws in other big cities, including Dallas and Austin here in Texas.

[Batboy2/75]

The root of this problem is a city ordinance that has nothing to do about tolerance or freedom. It's about violating the rights of those that disagree with your lifestyle.

[Batboy2/75]

Tell me shaf, why isn't the State of TX or the IRS supenaing the pastors? When did Houston start enforcing Federal tax laws?

That is your answer.

I din't give two shits what big cities do. It's wrong. It would be wrong even if the intended targets where even Muslims, Nazi or communists.

[Turdacious]

I wonder how long before one of the UTs offers Parker a tenured position.

[nafod]

Tell me shaf, why isn't the State of TX or the IRS supenaing the pastors?

Because the pastors started it with their suit? Isn't this an action by the city to defend itself?

Justified or not, it is certainly raw meat for the Fox News set.

[Turdacious]

Tell me shaf, why isn't the State of TX or the IRS supenaing the pastors?

Because the pastors started it with their suit?

Houston started it by subpenaing the sermons.

[nafod]

Tell me shaf, why isn't the State of TX or the IRS supenaing the pastors?

Because the pastors started it with their suit?

Houston started it by subpenaing the sermons.

Who acted first?

Don't confuse my question with actually caring about what goes on in Houston, by the way.

[buckethead]

What a fascinating story containing serious and big issues on both sides. However, batboy is dead on, this seems to be absolutely an abuse of power by the mayor's office.

[Turdacious]

Houston got the legal ball rolling.

[buckethead]

A little more clarity. Looks like Houston didn't fire the first shot, but I still think it was a dumb move.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/houston.asp

[powerlifter54]

Not a road the left wants to go down about issues discussed from Pulpits.

Imagine if Rick Perry went after a black pastor's pro democrat rantings.

Not good. Not good at all.

For anybody.

[nafod]

Not a road the left wants to go down about issues discussed from Pulpits.

Imagine if Rick Perry went after a black pastor's pro democrat rantings.

Not good. Not good at all.

For anybody.

Can I get an Amen?

[powerlifter54]

Amen.

[Protobuilder]

If the churches want to say 'screw it' and give up their tax-exempt status, then they would have a complaint. However, no matter how people try to spin this, things are pretty clear they are in the wrong.

"The Restriction of Political Campaign Intervention by Section 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations

[Turdacious]

If the churches want to say 'screw it' and give up their tax-exempt status, then they would have a complaint. However, no matter how people try to spin this, things are pretty clear they are in the wrong.

"The Restriction of Political Campaign Intervention by Section 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations

As wrong as selective enforcement for political reasons?

As I said before, I've attended churches that preach liberal agendas from the pulpit, and churches that preach conservative ones. I've never attended a church that doesn't break this rule on a regular basis. Moral positions taken by churches always have a political component-- always have, always will.

Moreover, both sides use churches, and the implied moral authority of religious vocations, to bolster their favored positions-- the Obamacare debates were a perfect example.

I'm not sure an administrative law trumps established religious freedom (and I do not think it should), but I am sure that this needs to be clarified.

[Shafpocalypse Now]

I'm pretty sure some of those pastors supoenaed were black. And probably democrats. I don't give a fuck, since I a) don't live in the city limits and b) dont' go to rabid church

[Turdacious]

I missed this little tidbit the first time I read the article in Bats' original post:

Ironically, none of the five subpoenaed pastors are plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

[Shafpocalypse Now]

Texas government is just shitty, really.