Breaking News: God Is a Republican!

 

In a roundabout way, the Infernal Revenue Service has declared God to be a Republican. Have a look:

An IRS official denied tax-exempt status to a Texas group that encourages church members to pray for state and national leaders regardless of their party affiliation because it benefits “the private interests of the [Republican] Party.”

There’s more:

Martin [the IRS official] also noted that the group’s activities “educate believers on national issues that are central to their belief in the Bible as the inerrant Word of God,” Martin explained.

“Specifically, you educate Christians on what the Bible says in areas where they can be instrumental, including the areas of sanctity of life, the definition of marriage, biblical justice, freedom of speech, defense, and borders and immigration, U.S. and Israel relations,” he said.

“The Bible teachings are typically affiliated with the D party [the reference given to the Republican party] and candidates. This disqualifies you from exemption under IRS Section 501(c)(3),” he said.

So there you have it, the twisted logic behind the rejection of the tax exemption. The Word of God lines up with the values of the Republican Party, therefore promoting Biblical values is practicing politics. If the IRS decides they can apply this logic to churches in general, there’s gonna be big trouble ahead…

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  1. CACrabtree Coolidge
    CACrabtree
    @CACrabtree

    And, once again, we return to the days of IRS harrassment.  No worries though; I’m sure that Obama’s claim of “not even a smidgen of corruption” is still operative.

    • #1
  2. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Stad: are typically affiliated with

    U.m.m.m.m.m…. oh great, let’s just let our perceptions rule. What about all those misguided Christians on the Left??

    • #2
  3. CACrabtree Coolidge
    CACrabtree
    @CACrabtree

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Stad: are typically affiliated with

    U.m.m.m.m.m…. oh great, let’s just let our perceptions rule. What about all those misguided Christians on the Left??

    Hmmm.  Misguided?  I’d probably modify that to “so-called”.

    • #3
  4. Dr. Bastiat Member
    Dr. Bastiat
    @drbastiat

    The IRS is sailing into some very dangerous waters, here…

    • #4
  5. CACrabtree Coolidge
    CACrabtree
    @CACrabtree

    Dr. Bastiat (View Comment):

    The IRS is sailing into some very dangerous waters, here…

    For taxpayers, yes.  I don’t believe the IRS cares one bit..

    • #5
  6. Dr. Bastiat Member
    Dr. Bastiat
    @drbastiat

    I just can’t believe that a bunch of Democrats say that God is on the side of Republicans.  

    Which side are they on?

    • #6
  7. Quietpi Member
    Quietpi
    @Quietpi

    What the heck?  Two hours ago I posted the following on another thread:

    “I’m concerned when the charge is made that the Church taking a stand on a moral issue is then called out for “politicizing” something that is only political in the minds of people who don’t understand morals, or the role of the Church.  If morals are merely political views, then the Church is merely another political party, and a radical one at that.  Do we see where this is going?”

    Little did I know I was being that prescient.

    And to the grammarians among us – is it proper to use quotation marks when I’m quoting myself?

    • #7
  8. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    Next thing they’ll say is that personal responsibility, accountability, and hard work are signs you are a white supremecist.

    • #8
  9. Postmodern Hoplite Coolidge
    Postmodern Hoplite
    @PostmodernHoplite

    CACrabtree (View Comment):

    And, once again, we return to the days of IRS harassment. No worries though; I’m sure that Obama’s claim of “not even a smidgen of corruption” is still operative.

    Mr. Obama makes this claim because he sincerely believes it. Because his intentions were pure, his administration (those implementing his intentions) was incapable of being, or acting, corruptly. Within his air-tight tautology, only those opposed to him and his administration were (are) corruptible.

    • #9
  10. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    Postmodern Hoplite (View Comment):

    CACrabtree (View Comment):

    And, once again, we return to the days of IRS harassment. No worries though; I’m sure that Obama’s claim of “not even a smidgen of corruption” is still operative.

    Mr. Obama makes this claim because he sincerely believes it. Because his intentions were pure, his administration (those implementing his intentions) was incapable of being, or acting, corruptly. Within his air-tight tautology, only those opposed to him and his administration were (are) corruptible.

    Obama contribution to the 1984 NewSpeak dictionary:

    Corruption is virtue

    Virtues is corruption

    • #10
  11. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    So if you preach about conservative issues, that benefits the Republican party, and you lose your religious exemption.

    • #11
  12. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Quietpi (View Comment):

    What the heck? Two hours ago I posted the following on another thread:

    “I’m concerned when the charge is made that the Church taking a stand on a moral issue is then called out for “politicizing” something that is only political in the minds of people who don’t understand morals, or the role of the Church. If morals are merely political views, then the Church is merely another political party, and a radical one at that. Do we see where this is going?”

    Little did I know I was being that prescient.

    And to the grammarians among us – is it proper to use quotation marks when I’m quoting myself?

    Sure, and it’s also proper to use single quotes within a quote . . .

    • #12
  13. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Rodin (View Comment):

    Next thing they’ll say is that personal responsibility, accountability, and hard work are signs you are a white supremecist.

    Hey, that’s kinda already happened.  Remember that big flap about the Smithsonian and list of “bad” things about white culture?

    • #13
  14. CACrabtree Coolidge
    CACrabtree
    @CACrabtree

    Stad (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):

    Next thing they’ll say is that personal responsibility, accountability, and hard work are signs you are a white supremecist.

    Hey, that’s kinda already happened. Remember that big flap about the Smithsonian and list of “bad” things about white culture?

    I don’t believe I’ll ever get over this one…

    • #14
  15. Quietpi Member
    Quietpi
    @Quietpi

    Rodin (View Comment):

    Next thing they’ll say is that personal responsibility, accountability, and hard work are signs you are a white supremacist.

    Oh, we’ve already passed that: https://ricochet.com/983521/once-again-oregon-legislators-prove-they-are-ahead-of-the-curve/

    • #15
  16. Quietpi Member
    Quietpi
    @Quietpi

    Stad (View Comment):
    Sure, and it’s also proper to use single quotes within a quote . . .

    Oh, yeah.  Missed that.  Thanks.

    • #16
  17. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Quietpi (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):
    Sure, and it’s also proper to use single quotes within a quote . . .

    Oh, yeah. Missed that. Thanks.

    Just another service I provide . . . not that I haven’t done it myself before . . .

    • #17
  18. Full Size Tabby Member
    Full Size Tabby
    @FullSizeTabby

    Dr. Bastiat (View Comment):

    I just can’t believe that a bunch of Democrats say that God is on the side of Republicans.

    Which side are they on?

    Well, a few years ago, the Democratic Party did boo God (at their 2012 convention), so they might consider God partisan. 

    • #18
  19. dukenaltum Inactive
    dukenaltum
    @dukenaltum

    One needs to be clear on whose side one prefers in the coming contest.  Not all the Tax Collectors and Sinners abandoned their inclinations upon the hearing the call to repentance but  it is just as doubtful that God abandoned his designated party of the decent and just  for the Party of Lincoln or Jefferson.     

    • #19
  20. Dave of Barsham Member
    Dave of Barsham
    @LesserSonofBarsham

    dukenaltum (View Comment):

    One needs to be clear on whose side one prefers in the coming contest. Not all the Tax Collectors and Sinners abandoned their inclinations upon the hearing the call to repentance but it is just as doubtful that God abandoned his designated party of the decent and just for the Party of Lincoln or Jefferson.

    Without a doubt, apparently the trick these days is convincing the IRS of that.

    • #20
  21. Chris Oler Coolidge
    Chris Oler
    @ChrisO

    Sooo…I guess that makes praying an in-kind contribution.

    Something big is on the horizon, and they’re going to be on the receiving end thanks to their continual alienation of anyone with a reasonable bone in their body. I do not know what ‘religion’ will replace their current mania, and those who are dependent on their cycle of political/moral validation are going to fall hard.

    A steadfast purpose, not a series of “I told you so’s,” is needed for the aftermath. It is more important than ever to change Washington.

    • #21
  22. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Stad: are typically affiliated with

    U.m.m.m.m.m…. oh great, let’s just let our perceptions rule. What about all those misguided Christians on the Left??

    Their churches will still get tax exemptions 

    • #22
  23. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Now that I think about it, using the IRS logic, shouldn’t left-wing tax free organizations be denied exemption because their teachings align with the Democrats?  Hmmmm?

    • #23
  24. Dr. Bastiat Member
    Dr. Bastiat
    @drbastiat

    Stad (View Comment):

    Now that I think about it, using the IRS logic, shouldn’t left-wing tax free organizations be denied exemption because their teachings align with the Democrats? Hmmmm?

    Ha!  Good one, Stad!

    • #24
  25. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Dr. Bastiat (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):

    Now that I think about it, using the IRS logic, shouldn’t left-wing tax free organizations be denied exemption because their teachings align with the Democrats? Hmmmm?

    Ha! Good one, Stad!

    I have my moments . . .

    • #25
  26. Old Bathos Member
    Old Bathos
    @OldBathos

    This is not a mistake.  The group the IRS hit cannot collect funds as deductible contributions without that designation. It takes money to mount even an initial appeal to the appropriate IRS admin panel.  Then lots more money to go before a federal judge.  And another big outlay if you got the wrong judge and have to go to the US Court of Appeals.  And all of this takes a lot of time during which the group has been starved of funds.

    Little groups can thus get squashed which is also an object lesson to others.  This is not just a trail blazed by Lois Lerner.  It is a highway. A one-way highway.

    Even if the courts do ultimately smack down the IRS for doing this, absolutely nothing will happen to the jerk who issued the initial denial.  He also knows that Christian conservatives don’t dox, or threaten family members or attack his home en masse. He will not be cancelled.  In fact, he may be lauded in some influential circles.

    We are obliged to render unto Caesar what Caesar is owed. As the gap grows between what Casar thinks he’s owed and what he really deserves then that rendering could be a real bitch and yet consonant with the scriptural mandate under which it is delivered.

    • #26
  27. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Old Bathos (View Comment):
    He will not be cancelled.  In fact, he may be lauded in some influential circles.

    He’ll be promoted as a reward . . .

    • #27
  28. Dominique Prynne Member
    Dominique Prynne
    @DominiquePrynne

    Stad: The Word of God lines up with the values of the Republican Party,

    <<<SIGH>>>>  If only that were true…..

    The Republicans are just as much a part of the great “Uni-Party” as the Dems.  I generally vote R as the lesser of the evils, but funny that some IRS bureaucrat thinks this.    

    • #28
  29. Joker Member
    Joker
    @Joker

    The overwhelming majority of both Democrats and Republicans believed in :

    “sanctity of life, the definition of marriage, biblical justice, freedom of speech, defense, and borders and immigration…”

    until about 20 years ago and obviously before that. JFK couldn’t be Democrat presidential material today. Probably not Clinton either. The Democrats are the ones who changed and that shouldn’t affect a traditional church.

    On the other hand, Democrats have come to believe certain things that have a strong whiff of dogma. Based on the same reasoning, IRS could be out there challenging the tax exempt status of Sierra Club, NARAL / Planned Parenthood, BLM, Ivy League universities and so on.

    The Supremes will smite this nonsense with 9-0 with pronounced, unambiguous clarity.

     

     

    • #29
  30. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Joker (View Comment):
    The Supremes will smite this nonsense with 9-0 with pronounced, unambiguous clarity.

    A very strong possibility . . .

    • #30
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