tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6342364914875572105.post1681645522244826964..comments2023-12-10T17:20:11.228-06:00Comments on WISSUP = WISCONSIN SPEAKS UP: West Bend Pastor joins others in defying IRS censorship rulesWest Bend Citizen Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16674336754911157020noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6342364914875572105.post-46453078363947904722008-09-19T08:39:00.000-05:002008-09-19T08:39:00.000-05:00I agree, there are a lot of tax-exempt orgs out th...I agree, there are a lot of tax-exempt orgs out there that are not banned from taking partisan positions. Ever since the IRS started an inside investigative committee in 2004 called PACI, the IRS has "fast tracked" complaints SPECIFICALLY dealing with CHURCHES. Even though the FREE SPEECH CLAUSE of the FIRST AMENDMENT ensures FREE SPEECH for all legal citizens, it appears that SINCE 1954 the IRS has taken upon itself to LIMIT such FREE SPEECH as it specifically concerns PASTOR & CHURCHES. It's as if they are saying, "Hey, we will recognize your CURRENT TAX-EXEMPT STATUS only if you give up certain CONSTITUTIONAL FREE SPEECH RIGHTS. They've even included specific CODE WORDS in their rules such as: "conservative, liberal, pro-life, pro-choice, anti-choice, Republican, Democrat, etc." If any PASTOR or CHURCH has EVER used these words, according to the IRS, they have broken the rules and stand in violation and possible revocation. PASTORS should realize, that they have already broken the rules on numerous occasions. As a pastor myself, I personally feel it very important to properly know the facts, and more importantly, to follow the call. The Bible is an extremely "political" book, so to speak. Think of how many kingdoms, kings, rulers, cities, etc. that are addressed by name in the Scriptures. Clearly, God has plenty to advise politicians on. And how will this occur, if PASTORS & CHURCHES willfully sensor themselves? And really, is it SO RADICAL that PASTORS & CHURCHES would address current issues, including the politics and politicians of the day? Why is that unacceptable and so harmful in many eyes today? After all, aren't public servants from the Mayor to the President sworn in on the BIBLE? I guess that's OK, as long as we never OPEN THE BIBLE, right? Bottom-line is, don't be intimidated into a corner of silence and inactivity. Even if some of us are a bit timid like Gideon was, that's cool; God still has a plan and we each are part of it.<BR/><BR/>September 28th is correct. The "few days" is a typo no doubt.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6342364914875572105.post-8615716989794150662008-09-17T06:50:00.000-05:002008-09-17T06:50:00.000-05:00This is an issue I have wondered about - I have he...This is an issue I have wondered about - I have heard Pastor say that he can't make political comments, yet that seems to be in violation of Freedom of Speech. There are a lot of tax-exempt organizations - i.e., "community organizers" - are they also banned from taking partisan positions?<BR/><BR/>The article (I followed the link) does not make sense, as far as Sept. 28th being a few days before the election. Do they mean it should be Oct. 26th?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com