The IRS 501(c)(3) First Amendment Freedom of Religion
by Religious freedom, the church, the constitution the IRS, President Lyndon B. Johnson, EIN Tax numbers, 2008 laws, Pastors, Rights, We, the people. Banking institutions. 501(c)(3) Freedom of Religion.
How many of you know that President Lyndon B. Johnson while in office created as part of his political agenda wanted to try and silence the voice of the churches in the United States and to eliminate the churches influence on shaping public policy? He created what is known as the 501(c)(3) with the IRS. First churches DO NOT have to file a 501(c)(3) to be tax exempt. They are already exempt under the first amendment of our US constitution.
First Amendment: “Congress shall make NO LAW respecting an establishment of religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” However Senator Lyndon B. Johnson in 1954 proposed Congress set up the 501(c)(3) ruling with the IRS. The majority of USA churches have been duped into thinking this would be a good thing, congress decided that would be Okay, but it is NOT a requirement.
However a majority of established churches chose to file with the IRS under the 501(c)(3) ruling when they did not have to do it, duped by attorneys and the banking system they were required to do it. Since they were already free from being taxed why would a church do this? One reason is they did not know any better, another would be they wanted to follow along with the rest of those doing it, like sheep being led to the slaughter. A third reason is some attorney or financial institution might advise them doing it. A fourth reason is some churches want to get a government loan to build a meeting place or other edifice of worship or need the church body has.
So if any church group or organization does choose to file a 1023 or 1024 form with the IRS 501(c)(3) they are subjecting themselves to government rules and regulations, audits and even what the pastors and church can preach, publish and say. Who may or may not attend churches. It means they cannot speak out against or for any politician or endorse them. Or against social issues that Congress might deem legal though it goes against the moral beliefs of the church. A 501(c)(3) church in other words can be turned in for speaking for example against gay rights or abortion rights, or animal rights. The IRS can choose to audit them and they can lose their tax exempt status because they chose to file a 501(c)(3) tax status when they did not have to.
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Post Commentclay hurtubise
On April 25, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Wow, lot of info, well done. Personally, I’d call my congressman and state senator: they can accomplish a lot with a few calls. It is unfortunate that the situation arose, but try to understand from the bakers position also: they may have been misled along the way and are doing what they believe is right (not saying it is the case, but at least allow the possibility).
Good piece.
Thanks,
Clay
dautsey
On April 29, 2009 at 2:34 am
Thanks for the comment I wish I knew how to get more people to read my articles and posts.
dautsey
On July 22, 2009 at 11:55 pm
If your going to read the article could you please leave a comment, like, dislike, thoughts, ideas, a hello, anything thanks.
Jim Robinson
On July 29, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Great info. Will need to verify a couple of points. Please spell-check and proof the grammar. Will add credibility.
Jim R
Duh
On October 22, 2009 at 3:56 pm
“This led to phone calls to the IRS who said NO we do NOT have to file a 1023 form or a 1024 form or a 501(c)(3) form if we don’t want to because we are already under the first amendment tax free. Why can banks insisit on churches getting a tax ID or EIN number. ”
You can choose not to have an EIN. It is not your constitutional right to have a bank account.