Bishop hits up flock to beat Referendum 74

[Zorra]

Bishop hits up flock to beat Referendum 74

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Yakima is hitting up worshipers in the pews of his 41 parishes to donate money to defeat Referendum 74, the same-sex-marriage measure on Washington’s November election ballot.

The Rt. Rev. Joseph Tyson, in a letter to pastors, deliverer 14 talking points and told them: “I am asking you to announce a special parishoner financial appeal” to boost the political warchest to fight marriage equality.

“In addition to informing ourselves and others about R-74, we can contribute to the campaign by using the envelope in this week’s bulletin to make a generous donation to Preserve Marriage Washington,” Tyson wrote.

Preserve Marriage Washington is the group fighting against approval of marriage equality in Washington. Washington, Maryland and Maine will vote on same-sex marriage in November, with indications that at least one and possibly all three states will approve it.

Cardinal Dolan: Obama's 'gay marriage' support undermines society

Washington D.C., May 10, 2012 / 02:06 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan is charging President Barack Obama with undermining the “very cornerstone of society” by supporting “gay marriage.”

[Pab Sungenis]

1. Another case of the IRS looking the other way

while churches politic despite it being banned under their non-profit status.

[joeybee12]

2. Yup, this case is pretty blatant...

And yet nothing will be done.

[pinto]

3. The Restriction of Political Campaign Intervention by Section 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations

The Restriction of Political Campaign Intervention by Section 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations

Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.

Certain activities or expenditures may not be prohibited depending on the facts and circumstances. For example, certain voter education activities (including presenting public forums and publishing voter education guides) conducted in a non-partisan manner do not constitute prohibited political campaign activity. In addition, other activities intended to encourage people to participate in the electoral process, such as voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, would not be prohibited political campaign activity if conducted in a non-partisan manner.

On the other hand, voter education or registration activities with evidence of bias that (a) would favor one candidate over another; (b) oppose a candidate in some manner; or (c) have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates, will constitute prohibited participation or intervention.

The Internal Revenue Service provides resources to exempt organizations and the public to help them understand the prohibition. As part of its examination program, the IRS also monitors whether organizations are complying with the prohibition.

Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 14-Aug-2012

http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Charitable-Organizations/The-Restriction-of-Political-Campaign-Intervention-by-Section-501(c)(3)-Tax-Exempt-Organizations