After this past Sundays’ (Oct. 2, 2005) event by the Catholic Church collecting signatures inside the building, regarding the initiative petition to end same-sex marriage in Massachusetts. This IRS regulation, continues on with regards to the 501 status, therefore, its time the tax paying Americans takes action to ensure that the Catholic Church loses it 501 status.

The tax exemption status of religious organizations (501(c)(3) status ). It is very obvious that the Catholic Church does not qualify for this status any more. The church is actively attempting to influence legislation.

In general, no organization may qualify for section 501(c)(3) status if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying). A 501(c)(3) organization may engage in some lobbying, but too much lobbying activity risks loss of tax-exempt status.

Legislation includes action by Congress, any state legislature, any local council, or similar governing body, with respect to acts, bills, resolutions, or similar items (such as legislative confirmation of appointive office), or by the public in referendum, ballot initiative, constitutional amendment, or similar procedure. It does not include actions by executive, judicial, or administrative bodies.

An organization will be regarded as attempting to influence legislation if it contacts, or urges the public to contact, members or employees of a legislative body for the purpose of proposing, supporting, or opposing legislation, or if the organization advocates the adoption or rejection of legislation.

Organizations may, however, involve themselves in issues of public policy without the activity being considered as lobbying. For example, organizations may conduct educational meetings, prepare and distribute educational materials, or otherwise consider public policy issues in an educational manner without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status.

Whether an organization’s attempts to influence legislation constitute a substantial part of its overall activities is determined on the basis of all the pertinent facts and circumstances in each case. The IRS considers a variety of factors, including the time devoted (by both compensated and volunteer workers) and the expenditures devoted by the organization to the activity, when determining whether the lobbying activity is substantial.

Under the substantial part test, an organization that conducts excessive lobbying activity in any taxable year may lose its tax-exempt status, resulting in all of its income being subject to tax. In addition, a religious organization is subject to an excise tax equal to five percent of its lobbying expenditures for the year in which it ceases to qualify for exemption.

Further, a tax equal to five percent of the lobbying expenditures for the year may be imposed against organization managers, jointly and severally, who agree to the making of such expenditures knowing that the expenditures would likely result in the loss of tax-exempt status.

Organizations undertake voter education activities by distributing voter guides. Voter guides, generally, are distributed during an election campaign and provide information on how all candidates stand on various issues. These guides may be distributed with the purpose of educating voters; however, they may not be used to attempt to favor or oppose candidates for public elected office.
http://www.taxingod.com/

Good luck to you, my Brothers, down there in that state of Virginia.
Here in PA we have basically the same thing going on. The Dems have endorsed Casey, who is also against S-S marriage, and he’s running against sleazy incumbent Santorum… We all know what he’s against….

The voting “masses” are all so indifferent, it is sickening.

Also, we have a another Republican Candidate (Sandals) who says he is for Gay Marriage, and another Democratic Candidate (Pennacchio) who says he is for Gay Marriage. I have Pennacchio’s banner on my website, because I believe in him. I am not a Democrat, but I have considered changing my political affiliations to enable me to vote in the Primary Election. (I am a registered ‘Independent’).

I think the whole election process needs a gigantic makeover. It is just so hopeless…

“Queer Eye for the Straight Politician Guy”

Peace,
=RD=

Living in VA, and working in VA politics, is a huge frustration for me. (Remember, I’m Canadian. Places like Vermont and California look conservative to me. Virginia politics seem like a bizarre dystopia. And we’ve got Democrats here that other states would refuse to run as *Republicans.*)

On a personal level, I really like what Potts has to say on a number of social issues. (I’m a “bad democrat” for saying that out loud, and I’m up for more slaps down here if anyone notices. But then, apparently, I’m a “bad democrat” any time I care about the “unimportant shit” that affects *my* life and the lives of people I care about.)

The state assembly is controlled by Republicans. In this election cycle we’ve got a shot at picking up some seats, but we may well lose the gains we made in ’03 for a net loss. We won’t take back the the state house or senate–what is at stake is the veto-proof minority in the House (which we took back in ’03). But, if Kilgore wins as a Republican Gov on top of a Republican General Assembly, the commonwealth is well and truly sunk. The GOP, even under Warner, has been agressive in rolling out anti-women and anti-gay legislation, as well as doing their best to bankrupt the state budget. (At least Warner prevailed on the budget.) On a pragmatic level, Potts doesn’t have a hope of winning the election–so I can only hope he syphons more votes off Republican Kilgore than Democrat Kaine.

I understand and respect you taking down the Kaine ad. On the other hand, we could really use some help in Virginia. If you are still feeling generous, you might want to check out Leslie Byrne, our Lt Gov Candidate. I don’t know her specific position on gay rights, but I know she does have a good progressive record, and the odds are much better that she’d bear up under closer scrutiny.

http://www.centristcoalition.com/blog/archives/002328.html
“State Senator Russ Potts (Independent) has found a way to distinguish himself from his two major party opponents in the gubernatorial contest. Potts — a church-going Methodist, grandfather and registered Republican — told the AP he unequivocally supported allowing gays and lesbians to adopt children. “We’re all God’s children. I don’t think that they ought to be precluded from adopting a child … I know of several situations in which a gay person adopted a child and [was] just a very loving, caring parent,” he said. Potts does not support same-sex marriage, but added “I can’t imagine that a gay person gets to the pearly gates of heaven and this loving, benevolent God is going to deny that person a place in his kingdom because he or she is gay.” Former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore (R) and Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine (D) both quickly distanced themselves from Potts. “I’ve said that I don’t support same-sex adoption or same-sex couple adoption and I don’t favor gay adoption,” said Kilgore. “I very much believe that the law in Virginia right now is the right law … The only couple that can adopt is a married couple,” explained Kaine.”

okay, maybe that wasn’t the most appropriate exhortation to choose in this situation…but I hope you get my drift.

great post.