born and raised in Lynchburg, Va (Moral majority)in an evangelical church family, we were taught that everything we do as long as its in the name of GOD, to defeat Satan and be one of the ones not left behind in the "Rapture" its O.K. They are hard wired for the appocolypse, and armageddon. GW told us "I know God wants me to lead this nation".
"God created freedom and the U.S. constitution
and therefore America will rid the world of Evil Doers". They preach politics because of demagraphics to get votes so they can reclaim the U.S. and the world for Christ. And they have placed themselves at the right hand of GOD just as the Romans grabbed the Christian Ball, ran with it and became the Roman Catholic and now the Evangelical Church. I am sorry to drag on but they are dangerous! You would not believe what they have in store for us. Thanx BAXTER905@msn.com

old USofA, I wouldnt write anything off as a tounge in cheek anymore. LOL

scary to think people would actually believe that is right.

Nice bait, and I suspect that you know the answer full well Lenny. Yes, they get a free-ride because they are supposedly non-profit. Just like Falwell, Baker, and Robertson don't keep any for themselves -- they give it all to neocon political "charities."

John Ormiston

1) It takes a form. Get it from the IRS (Yeah, them. Use the toll free number. Tell them you want to apply for tax exemption for a charitable corporation. If your organization is not incorporated in your state, see an attorney. Maybe the attorney will incorporate it for free. (It is called "pro-bono".

2) Before you do that though, get an Internal Revenue Code and go to Section 501 (c). It is tough reading as you will see from an excerpt below, but it gives you an idea what standards your charitable organization has to meet.

3) There is a lot of financial info wanted also, so try to get a public accountant who can help--hopefully, again, pro-bono. You want to keep as much of the organization's money you can so it can carry out the purposes of the charity.

4) Notice nothing is said to permit or prevent preaching the word of God. To prohibit preaching the word of God would be unconstitutional. That is why the US was formed in 1776, wasn't it?

Good luck. By the way, here is part of Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code:

"(3) Corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition (but only if no part of its activities involve the provision of athletic facilities or equipment), or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided in subsection (h)), and which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.

knowledge is power, and the enemy of the church. they are not dumb (im sure you meant in kind way) they are ignorant. "men never do evil more compleately or gleefully than in the name of religion". Some of the founders were just fine with the Anglican church, most preffered no religion at all. It was not until England started controlling their economy and taking money from their purses and liberties did they get upset. Otherwise they would have remained loyal survants of the crown. They all had no desire to be envolved in the blood bathes of the Roman Catholic and Anglican or Lutheran church battles.

Hopefully, you also believe in the separation of drugs and alcohol.

Jesus asked us keep the state out of the church and vice-versa (who's image is this?), but private interpretation of scripture is an old business indeed.

The folks that you are referring to are the same people who would kick Christ out of a homeless shelter for having wine on his breath. Don't forget that he told us that we wouldn't recognize him, and I don't think he was kidding.

Good luck, and be well,

Michael Hearne
Amarillo, TX

According to polls, most Americans don't trust religious leaders with their public money yet Congress allows the President to dip into the treasury any time he wants to give "Faith Based" money to is "favorite" religious organizations and leaders.

Bush secretly is sending troops to protect Rev. Moon assets in S. America.

It is not only against the Constitution it is discrimination. Only "select groups and leaders" get public money and to build huge buildings, buy up hosptials, and cathedals in areas that could not afford such luxury because there are very few members. I've seen this all over while traveling.

Bush bribes them with our tax dollars for support. Congress pretends they don't know about it.

In my community, we now have more wealth and new buildings/private schools with local churches than our public schools. My community almost 90% Catholic yet here's this Evengelical Protestant church built on expensive/tax free land in the center of town. One huge church with few members...DA. A local community built hospital (by tax payers) now a religious one with a huge cross out front.

This public money for religious groups is reason to impeach him and every member of Congress allowing it. They have failed to protect the Constitution and it's goals for a democracy regarding religion.

My "liberal" Senator even got pork for a favorite university of his. I told him this was wrong but they're all there with their hands in the kitty.

We are being robbed and every institution in this country is being destroyed. You name it...financial, religious, government agencies, health care, military, etc. The Bush Ponzi Plans go forward without comment. It is not government but robbery and destruction of our democracy.

Politicans are too chicken to protest the religious groups because they are afraid of losing votes or being put out of "their" church/temple. This is what we fled in Europe is it not?

No,Americans have not accepted a Catholic/Jew/Evengelical religious President since Kennedy because they keep their religion separate. Seems Kennedy did somewhat but they can't. Members of Congress like Senator Byrd, etc. get on CSPAN and read religious passages. How dare they!! I don't care which party or which religious group...this is a violation of the Constitution.

"When a politician voices their religious views in public, they exclude
those who do not share the same beliefs. They also violate their oath of
office to represent all citizens." Unknown.

We're discussing two things:

1) Churches

and

2) Taxes

See if you can keep up.

My dog is smarter than your president.

The discussion was about churches and taxation, no one mentioned candidates, prior to your complaint about it!

What do you mean "please don't be so one sided"? We are proud to be liberal and progressive DEMOCRATS, of course we are "one sided". Your kind forced a brain dead, pretend-Christian on our country, by using scare tactics and colluding with church leaders. Do you really expect that we would be open minded about that?

Proud member of the reality based community.

Did Clinton say he was doing God's work in Bosnia? Did Clinton say that God told him to do that thing to Monica? Did Clinton try to give tax money to churches? Do you see a difference Right Wing Religious Fruitcake?

"They want the federal government controlling Social Security

- George W. Bush in a debate in St. Charles, Mo., Nov. 2, 2000

I agree. It was wrong and I told them so.

Religious leaders should not hold public office either. I've told Jessie Jackson, Jr. he has to pick one. He can't be both and hold public office.

As Berry Lynn of AU stated..it seems to be a race as to who is the most religious candidate. All four candidates in the 2000 election quoting the Bible, supporting Faith Based agenda, etc. Using religion to get elected says little for any democratic leader. Republicans and Democrats are wrong in this regard.

The FEC fell short of doing their job and telling candidates to stop it. Yes..every agency no longer functions properly. Well...Republicans can do as they please can't they. At this time, they are lawless.

The term "Separation of Church and State" does not exist anywhere in the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. That term was invented as a propaganda tool, used by both sides.

The first amendment to the Constitution guarantees our right to choose the church of our choice, but forbids a state religion. In other words, there is no "Church of the United States" as there is a "Church of England".

There is a certain element of society that is attempting to use the first amendment to outlaw God, and this is nothing new. Our enemies have often used our own laws in an attempt to defeat us. The simple fact is that non-citizens should not have a voice in government, nor should they reap any benefits meant for citizens, and non-citizens should not be protected by the Constitution of the United States.

If we aren't careful, we may become an anarchy. This really wouldn't do at all, because most Americans are not trained to live on their own.