Speechfinalslides3

Speechfinalslides3

• 1.
  Church oversight How wouldyou feel if ●You learned a pastor was preaching about specific political candidates? Some already are. (Hallowell, 2012) ●You learned a pastor was taking donated money as his own?
• 2.
  Lack of oversight Churchescould ● Endorse a political campaign, such as the “Pulpit Free Sunday movement” (Hallowell, 2012) ● Individual pastors could use donated money for their own purposes ● Make deals with private industry
• 3.
  IRS ● Keeps individualshonest ● Has the power to take away a churches status as tax exempt if it is not following the rules
• 4.
  IRS Rules the organizationmust be organized and operated exclusively for religious, educational, scientific, or other charitable purposes, ● net earnings may not inure to the benefit of any private individual or shareholder, ● no substantial part of its activity may be attempting to influence legislation, ● the organization may not intervene in political campaigns, and ● the organization’s purposes and activities may not be illegal or violate fundamental public policy (www.irs.gov)
• 5.
  IRS Special Rule TheIRS may begin a church tax inquiry only if an appropriate high-level Treasury official reasonably believes, based on a written statement of the facts and circumstances, that the organization: (a) may not qualify for the exemption; or (b) may not be paying tax on unrelated business or other taxable activity. This reasonable belief must be based on facts and circumstances recorded in writing. (www.irs.gov)
• 6.
  Make a difference Talkto those who might be concerned Talk to your local politicians Write your representatives Email the IRS: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Send- Us-A-Comment-About-the-Web-Site
• 7.
  Have peace ofmind ● Be able to trust your own institutions ● Trust that other churches are following the rules ● Be less worried about a religion pushing its own political agenda
• 8.
  “Congress shall makeno law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” "The Constitution of the United States," Amendment 1. “The political campaign activity prohibition is not intended to restrict free expression on political matters by leaders of churches or religious organizations speak- ing for themselves, as individuals. Nor are leaders pro- hibited from speaking about important issues of public policy” Www.irs.gov
• 9.
  ● Churches doget special treatment. ● Raise the issue ● Help keep our country fair and equal.
• 10.
  Works Cited ABC News."Police: 'Temple' Served as Brothel." 2011. Web. 3 Aug 2013. <http://abcnews.go.com/US/phoenix-goddess-temple-raided-alleged-brothel/story? id=14481945>. COUNSEL, ERIK. "IRS Official: We are “Close” to Auditing Churches Again." 2013. Web. 3 Aug 2013. <http://blog.speakupmovement.org/church/churches-and- politics/irs-official-we-are-close-to-auditing-churches-again/>. Hallowell, Billy. "Pastors Will Unite Against IRS to Deliver ‘Pulpit Freedom Sunday’ Political Sermons (Poll)." 2012. Web. 3 Aug 2013. <http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2012/09/20/pastors-unite-against-irs-to-deliver- pulpit-freedom-sunday-political-sermons-poll/>. Irs.gov. "Church Audits - "Reasonable Belief" Requirement." 2010. Web. 3 Aug 2013. <http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Churches-&-Religious- Organizations/Church-Audits-Reasonable-Belief-Requirement>. Law.cornell.edu. "UNITED STATES v. CHRISTIAN ECHOES NATIONAL MINISTRY, INC. | Supreme Court | LII / Legal Information Institute." 1972. Web. 3 Aug 2013. <http://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/404/561>. Publication 1828 (11-2009) Catalog Number 21096G Department Of The treasury Internal Revenue Service www.irs.gov "The Constitution of the United States," Amendment 1.