Comments on: CNN report on ‘Pulpit Freedom Sunday’ http://www.tim-mooney.com/2008/09/cnn-report-on-pulpit-freedom-sunday/ Nonprofit Law Practice of Tim Mooney Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:43:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Tim Mooney http://www.tim-mooney.com/2008/09/cnn-report-on-pulpit-freedom-sunday/comment-page-1/#comment-42 Tim Mooney Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:43:22 +0000 http://www.tim-mooney.com/beta/?p=253#comment-42 I think tax-exemption is a wonderful thing for the vast majority of qualifying organizations, but as with anything, there's a trade-off. If you want your church to be more electorally active (remember 501(c)(3)s can lobby, just not engage in electioneering!) then be that church, but pay the taxes. The First Amendment certainly protects that! I think tax-exemption is a wonderful thing for the vast majority of qualifying organizations, but as with anything, there’s a trade-off. If you want your church to be more electorally active (remember 501(c)(3)s can lobby, just not engage in electioneering!) then be that church, but pay the taxes. The First Amendment certainly protects that!

]]> By: Carol Topp, CPA http://www.tim-mooney.com/2008/09/cnn-report-on-pulpit-freedom-sunday/comment-page-1/#comment-41 Carol Topp, CPA Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:24:05 +0000 http://www.tim-mooney.com/beta/?p=253#comment-41 Tim, I've really been enjoying you podcasts as I take my daily walks in this fine Cincinnati fall weather we've been having. I especially enjoy your concise statement about right to free speech, but not to tax exemption. I deal with a lot of homeschool organizations that fear their free speech, freedom to assemble and religious freedoms will be hampered if they become tax exempt. They fear government intrusion in their freedoms if they apply for 501c3 status. The vast majority are not politically active. I try to do a lot of education via my website and workshops and sometimes I just have to state things simply like you did. Sometimes I just tell fearful leaders, "If you think 501c3 status is government intervention into your life, then don't apply and pay your taxes." They don't usually like that answer! Carol Topp, CPA Tim, I’ve really been enjoying you podcasts as I take my daily walks in this fine Cincinnati fall weather we’ve been having.

I especially enjoy your concise statement about right to free speech, but not to tax exemption.

I deal with a lot of homeschool organizations that fear their free speech, freedom to assemble and religious freedoms will be hampered if they become tax exempt. They fear government intrusion in their freedoms if they apply for 501c3 status. The vast majority are not politically active.

I try to do a lot of education via my website and workshops and sometimes I just have to state things simply like you did. Sometimes I just tell fearful leaders, “If you think 501c3 status is government intervention into your life, then don’t apply and pay your taxes.” They don’t usually like that answer!

Carol Topp, CPA

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