Signal Chat Exposes NJ ICE Delaney Hall Protest Structure

 

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P.S.

                                                    May 2026

https://youtube.com/shorts/WgE8RLi5tes?si=gXT-gR2adrketjms

June 4, 2026

Giving Ventures Ep. 100 - Arabella: The Left's Dark Money with Scott Walter

Giving Ventures Ep. 100 - Arabella: The Left's Dark Money with Scott Walter

DonorsTrust

 Jan 13, 2026  Giving Ventures Podcast

For the past decade, one entity has become predominant in secretive giving on the left of the political spectrum: Arabella Advisors. It goes by a lot of different names, like the New Venture Fund, the Windward Fund, 1630 Fund. This panoply of organizations represents hundreds of nonprofit entities ranging from full-fledged 501(c)3s and 501(c)4s to astroturf groups that only exist as websites. Billions of dollars have flowed into and out of these Arabella entities, all working to counter free markets and conservative ideas and to advance progressive ideology.

Despite its major influence, Arabella is still pretty secretive. But one individual thoroughly understands the reach of Arabella and its tentacles: Scott Walter, the president of Capital Research Center, which focuses on the sources and influence of philanthropic dollars on the left.

Trump Admin Signals Clarity on Church Speech

By Charlie McCarthy | Friday, 03 April 2026 12:23 PM EDT

The Trump administration announced Friday that it will "provide additional clarity and guidance" to religious organizations after a federal judge's decision this week to dismiss a case seeking to overturn the 70-year-old ban on political activity by houses of worship.

The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service issued a statement saying the move is aimed at reinforcing First Amendment protections while helping churches better understand how existing law applies to their communications.

"Religious liberty is foundational to our Constitution," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, adding that the administration is committed to ensuring Americans can "practice one's faith openly and in community" while laws are applied fairly.

The new guidance will focus on clarifying how the Johnson Amendment, the 1954 law that restricts tax-exempt organizations from endorsing political candidates, applies in real-world settings, particularly within religious services.

According to Treasury, internal communications between houses of worship and their congregations, when delivered through customary religious channels and tied to matters of faith, may not constitute prohibited political activity under current interpretations of the law.

Presidential Executive Order Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty

Executive Orders
Presidential Executive Order Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty


Issued on: May 4, 2017


EXECUTIVE ORDER

– – – – – – –

PROMOTING FREE SPEECH AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, in order to guide the executive branch in formulating and implementing policies with implications for the religious liberty of persons and organizations in America, and to further compliance with the Constitution and with applicable statutes and Presidential Directives, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. It shall be the policy of the executive branch to vigorously enforce Federal law’s robust protections for religious freedom. The Founders envisioned a Nation in which religious voices and views were integral to a vibrant public square, and in which religious people and institutions were free to practice their faith without fear of discrimination or retaliation by the Federal Government. For that reason, the United States Constitution enshrines and protects the fundamental right to religious liberty as Americans’ first freedom. Federal law protects the freedom of Americans and their organizations to exercise religion and participate fully in civic life without undue interference by the Federal Government. The executive branch will honor and enforce those protections.

Sec. 2. Respecting Religious and Political Speech. All executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall, to the greatest extent practicable and to the extent permitted by law, respect and protect the freedom of persons and organizations to engage in religious and political speech. In particular, the Secretary of the Treasury shall ensure, to the extent permitted by law, that the Department of the Treasury does not take any adverse action against any individual, house of worship, or other religious organization on the basis that such individual or organization speaks or has spoken about moral or political issues from a religious perspective, where speech of similar character has, consistent with law, not ordinarily been treated as participation or intervention in a political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) a candidate for public office by the Department of the Treasury. As used in this section, the term “adverse action” means the imposition of any tax or tax penalty; the delay or denial of tax-exempt status; the disallowance of tax deductions for contributions made to entities exempted from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of title 26, United States Code; or any other action that makes unavailable or denies any tax deduction, exemption, credit, or benefit.

Sec. 3. Conscience Protections with Respect to Preventive-Care Mandate. The Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall consider issuing amended regulations, consistent with applicable law, to address conscience-based objections to the preventive-care mandate promulgated under section 300gg-13(a)(4) of title 42, United States Code.

Sec. 4. Religious Liberty Guidance. In order to guide all agencies in complying with relevant Federal law, the Attorney General shall, as appropriate, issue guidance interpreting religious liberty protections in Federal law.

Sec. 5. Severability. If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any individual or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its other provisions to any other individuals or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

DONALD J. TRUMP

Source

President Trump Signs the Executive Order on Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty

501c3 Facts

Most churches in America have organized as "501c3 tax-exempt religious organizations." This is a fairly recent trend that has only been going on for about fifty years. Churches were only added to section 501c3 of the tax code in 1954. We can thank Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson for that. Johnson was no ally of the church. As part of his political agenda, Johnson had it in mind to silence the church and eliminate the significant influence the church had always had on shaping "public policy."

Although Johnson proffered this as a "favor" to churches, the favor also came with strings attached (more like shackles). One need not look far to see the devastating effects 501c3 acceptance has had to the church, and the consequent restrictions placed upon any 501c3 church. 501c3 churches are prohibited from addressing, in any tangible way, the vital issues of the day.

For a 501c3 church to openly speak out, or organize in opposition to, anything that the government declares "legal," even if it is immoral (e.g. abortion, homosexuality, etc.), that church will jeopardize its tax exempt status. The 501c3 has had a "chilling effect" upon the free speech rights of the church. LBJ was a shrewd and cunning politician who seemed to well-appreciate how easily many of the clergy would sell out.

Did the church ever need to seek permission from the government to be exempt from taxes? Were churches prior to 1954 taxable? No, churches have never been taxable. To be taxable a church would first need to be under the jurisdiction, and therefore under the taxing authority, of the government. The First Amendment clearly places the church outside the jurisdiction of the civil government: "Congress shall make NO LAW respecting an establishment of religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

Religion cannot be free if you have to pay the government, through taxation, to exercise it. Since churches aren't taxable in the first place, why do so many of them go to the IRS and seek permission to be tax-exempt? It occurs out of:

• Ignorance ("We didn't know any better")
• Bandwagon logic ("Everyone else is doing it")
• Professional advice (many attorneys and CPAs recommend it)

Does the law require, or even encourage, a church to organize as a 501c3? To answer that question let's turn to what the IRS itself has to say.

Churches Need Not Apply

In order to be considered for tax-exempt status by the IRS an organization must fill out and submit IRS Form 1023 and 1024. However, note what the IRS says regarding churches and church ministries, in Publication 557:Some organizations are not required to file Form 1023. These include: Churches, interchurch organizations of local units of a church, conventions or associations of churches, or integrated auxiliaries of a church, such as a men’s or women’s organization, religious school, mission society, or youth group. These organizations are exempt automatically if they meet the requirements of section 501(c)(3).

Churches Are “Automatically Tax-Exempt”

According to IRS Code § 508(c)(1)(A):Special rules with respect to section 501(c)(3) organizations. (a) New organizations must notify secretary that they are applying for recognition of section 501(c)(3) status. (c) Exceptions. (1) Mandatory exceptions. Subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply to— (A) churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches.

This is referred to as the "mandatory exception" rule. Thus, we see from the IRS’ own publications, and the tax code, that it is completely unnecessary for any church to apply for tax-exempt status. In the IRS’ own words a church “is automatically tax-exempt.”

Churches Are “Automatically Tax-Deductible”

And what about tax-deductibility? Doesn’t a church still need to become a 501c3 so that contributions to it can be taken as a tax deduction? The answer is no! According to IRS Publication 526:Organizations That Qualify To Receive Deductible Contributions You can deduct your contributions only if you make them to a qualified organization. To become a qualified organization, most organizations other than churches and governments, as described below, must apply to the IRS.

In the IRS’ own words a church “is automatically tax-deductible.”

Churches Have a Mandatory Exception To Filing Tax Returns

Not only is it completely unnecessary for any church to seek 501c3 status, to do so becomes a grant of jurisdiction to the IRS by any church that obtains that State favor. In the words of Steve Nestor, IRS Sr. Revenue Officer (ret.):"I am not the only IRS employee who’s wondered why churches go to the government and seek permission to be exempted from a tax they didn’t owe to begin with, and to seek a tax deductible status that they’ve always had anyway. Many of us have marveled at how church leaders want to be regulated and controlled by an agency of government that most Americans have prayed would just get out of their lives. Churches are in an amazingly unique position, but they don’t seem to know or appreciate the implications of what it would mean to be free of government control."

from the Forward of In Caesar's Grip, by Peter Kershaw

Source

Pastor Chuck Baldwin Reveals Organized Religion’s Dirty Little Secret …

Monday, August 18, 2014 14:19

(Before It's News)



I am a Christian through and through and I love God with all of my heart!! But this dirty little secret that many of our churches are keeping from us needs to be busted WIDE open! I am sick and tired of our churches bowing down to the political pressure from their 501(c)3 tax exempted status.

In 1954 Senator Lyndon Johnson unleashed a monstrous action directed at American churches…the 501(c)(3). Because he did not like the fact that pastors and churches were opposing his liberal agenda, he set out to silence them with the power he had readily available to him….the Law! As a result he introduced verbiage to the IRC prohibiting churches from influencing political legislation and supporting political campaigns, or risk losing their tax-exempt status. And thus it began…

Pastors today have become the servant of the State and in a sense sold their souls to the state. They remain silent on political issues and side swipe issues the government tells them they are not allowed to talk about. They bow down to the governing political body and sold out parts of the Gospel. OUTRAGE!

Dick Greb of the Save-A-Patriot Fellowship in Westminster, Maryland, wrote:

“Many Americans find it disturbing that some of our churches today are little more than milquetoast corporations that fear our federal government more than the great I AM. Moreover, it can even be said that some preachers have the appearance of cringing, ‘politically correct’ cowards, rather than committed Godly men of fortitude with backbone, such as those we read of in the Bible.” (Source: Greb, Dick. “The 501(c)(3) Hallucination: A Bane to Liberty.” Reasonable Action Issue #244 Winter 2003.)

Amen and Amen! Sadly the majority of churches are members of the 501(c)(3) and when push comes to shove, they will demonstrate loyalty to the State sacrificing Biblical principles to remain tax-exempt!

Source

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Atheists Take On The IRS

By Victoria Bekiempis / November 22 2013 4:17 PM





Top American secularists allege the tax agency discriminates against them. Reuters


IRS policies on church tax exemptions aren’t just potentially making America poorer – they also illegally discriminate against atheists, a lawsuit alleges.

American Atheists and several other secularist groups claim that the Internal Revenue Service gives preferential treatment to churches and religious organizations who seek or have 501(c)(3) non-profit status compared to secular non-profit organizations. The groups say this violates non-believers’ Constitutional rights because it treats churches differently than non-churches and equates to government support of religion.

Under current IRS policy, churches automatically qualify for 501(c)(3) status, though nonreligious 501(c)(3)s must go through an extensive application process to get the same tax benefits. In addition, religious organizations do not have to fill out annual Form 990 returns reports, which detail charities’ finances so the IRS or nonprofit watchdogs can identify possible fiscal wrongdoing and law-breaking. Critics, who have recently renewed their calls for religious exemption reform, say that these filing differences cost the U.S. government from some $17 to $71 billion annually.

Though American Atheists’ first filed their federal lawsuit in December 2012, oral arguments in the case began late this week.

“We find it discriminatory, so we’re suing,” American Atheists spokesman Dave Muscato tells Newsweek. “The way that this is set up, we all pay for it. We’re all supporting churches for what they do.”

In court filings, the advocacy group argues that a 1961 U.S. Supreme Court opinion that “neither the federal government nor state governments can ‘constitutionally pass laws or impose requirements which aid all religions as against non-believers, and neither can aid those religions based on a belief in the existence of God, as against those religions founded on different beliefs’” supports their claims. American Atheists is also arguing that church-only tax breaks, such as the “parsonage exemption,” which lets clergy members write off housing expenses from their taxable income, aren’t constitutionally kosher, since “non-religious entities may not take any deductions for the housing or living expenses of their employees or volunteers.”

IRS policies also discriminate against donors to non-religious organizations, American Atheists alleges. Non-religious nonprofits must identify, on Form 990, contributors who give more than $5,000, or 2 percent of the organization’s total contributions and grants. But religious non-profits don’t have to disclose mega donors, because they don’t have to fill out a 990. These policies, plus the expense and labor required to meet 501(c)(3) filing requirements, gives churches a “fundraising advantage” and put atheists at risk. “Because there’s a lot of stigma about atheism, many people talk to us and say they would donate more but don’t want their name publicized in that way,” Muscato says.

Court proceedings are set to continue in the coming weeks.

The IRS did not immediately reply to requests for comment, though the agency often does not comment on pending litigation.

When asked previously about the issue, an IRS spokesman sent Newsweek an e-mail linking to a tax guide for religious nonprofits.

 
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Bankruptcy of Church and State: When Clergy Is Blind and Justice Isn’t

1:00PM EDT 5/30/2013 | Dan Cummins
Originally published at Charisma News




Dan Cummins is the pastor of Bridlewood Church in
Bullard, Texas.




America’s political and religious establishments are broken. Washington fails to provide the answers needed to solve the economic and political crises facing us at home and abroad. The church fails to exhibit the moral guidance necessary to hold a collapsing culture together. The nation is rapidly losing faith in both institutions, evidenced by declining approval ratings.

The political process in Washington is overheating in partisan gridlock while our churches are becoming increasingly ineffective and indifferently cold to the ongoing culture wars. Both institutions are insolvent to the fiscal and spiritual indebtedness they have incurred upon the nation. Neither can produce the economic capital or spiritual stimulus to jumpstart the economy or usher in revival.

Legislative issues are taking on greater moral ramifications. What were once considered moral issues discussed from the pulpit are now being politicized and aggressively commandeered by special interest groups with their radical social agendas. Civil rights are being sacrificed in the name of social justice upon the altar of special rights. Justice may be blind, but social justice has 20/20 vision. Equality before the law is becoming persecution under the law. The new persecution of the church will be in the form of prosecution of the church.

All the while, there seems to be little pushback from the clergy to preserve their institution’s voice as the spiritual leaders and moral guides for the nation. Complicity and compromise, on the other hand, seem to have replaced the spiritual backbone of America’s preachers. The clergy in America are, in most part, blind to the prophetic times in which we live and clueless to the spiritual solutions that will solve the troubles confronting a despondent nation. America’s sheep are being scattered due to the incompetence of hirelings who run at the first sign of political or cultural confrontation.

When government attempts to legislate morality apart from a spiritual relationship with God, moral rebellion will be the law of the land. When the church pontificates truth without exemplifying reality, her institutions will be rejected as charlatans. They both will soon be tossed aside, leaving the nation ripe for rebellion and anarchy. When the church loses its vision, where is the light to penetrate the moral and political abyss? When complicity robes the clergy, political leaders line their pockets in greed as the nation drifts aimlessly in a vacuum of ethical relativism.

This lesson is oft repeated but seldom learned. Unchecked principles by nature tend to run their own course. Thus history repeats itself. The first 11 chapters of 1 Samuel are but one of many such instances. Four hundred years out of Egyptian bondage, the nation of Israel faced a fundamental transformation in its government—from a godly theocracy overseen by holy priests to a humanistic monarchy dictated by a self-serving king, Saul.

Israel experienced redistribution of its wealth; there was a cry for globalism to become like all the other nations. A morally bankrupt but politically correct clergy produced a climate of judicial legislation. As the menorah slowly flickered out in the tabernacle, the Ark of God’s presence was whisked from the nation. The Ark of the Covenant that preceded the nation into the Promised Land—on the shoulders of holy anointed priests—was now suddenly snatched from her midst by the hands of uncircumcised Philistines. It was Israel’s darkest hour.

Inside the Ark were the Ten Commandments—the spiritual, civil and economic foundations of the nation. The Ten Commandments were no longer found in her schools, in her courthouses, in the town square or in her churches.

Sound familiar? How could the glory of God have departed the nation in this manner?

The glory of the Lord departed the nation because the priesthood was compromised. Eli, the high priest, became fat, lazy and blind. As he lost his vision, so went his usefulness to the nation. His uncircumcised (not in covenant) sons, Hophni (strong) and Phineas (mouth of a serpent), stole from the tabernacle offerings and committed adultery with the women who assembled at the outer gate. A complicit clergy cannot reproduce covenanted sons.

America has weak spiritual sons who cannot lead another awakening as our founding spiritual fathers once did because we’ve had a generation of complicity by the clergy with governmental intrusion into the church. Four hundred years ago, America’s forefathers left the political slavery and religious oppression of Europe for a new promised land—400 years ago! Now America, like Israel, has followed the same principled path to the same self-destructive destination. Will we make the same self-centered mistakes as they did or choose repentance over rebellion?

The Bankruptcy of America Begins

In July 1954, the spiritual bankruptcy of America’s clergy set in as the U.S. Senate passed an unconstitutional amendment to a tax overhaul bill. It was the Johnson Amendment, introduced by then Senator Lyndon B. Johnson who was angry at two wealthy Texas businessmen who used their 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization to campaign against him.

Without a minute of senatorial debate regarding its constitutionality, a simple amendment that stated, “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,” opened the floodgates of hell upon an unsuspecting church whose organizations were delineated under the 501(c)(3) category by the IRS. Johnson’s legal aide later admitted the amendment was only intended to silence two wealthy businessmen not churches, but the damage was done.

The IRS soon picked up on it and began a 50-year Gestapo-style reign of intimidation and fear upon America’s churches and clergy. In exchange for their political silence in the pulpits, America’s clergy were sold a bill of goods labeled “tax emption” by the IRS—something already granted the church constitutionally.

Fortunately, under the leadership of Alan Sears, founder of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) in Scottsdale, Ariz., last year over 1650 pastors in all 50 states continued a five-year national campaign, called Pulpit Freedom Sunday, to overturn the Johnson Amendment, challenging its constitutionality by recording a politically motivated sermon and sending it to the IRS. So far, not one pastor has been audited. Thank God for these courageous pastors and the 2,200 allied attorneys of ADF.

With the clergy’s complicity and silence secured in 1954, Satan’s propaganda machine began running wide open and unchecked. In 1963, prayer and Bible reading were taken out of public schools. The pulpits remained silent—it was a political issue. In 1973, the Supreme Court decided that unborn Americans had no civil rights and upheld a woman’s special right to have an abortion. The pulpit remained silent—it was a political issue. Fifty-five million abortions later, in June the Supreme Court will decide if God knew what He was doing when He created the institution of marriage to be exclusively between one man and one woman. So far, the pulpit has remained silent—it’s a political issue. We will need more than 1650 pastors out of 300,000 churches in America if we are going to turn the tide and see revival.

What is America’s solution? The same as it was for Israel in Eli’s day: There was one barren woman who knew how to pray a prayer of desperation. Her name was Hannah—which means the grace of God. Not only did Hannah grab the horns of the altar, she touched the heart of God. Her prayer—one woman’s prayer—saved the nation and brought the greatest revival in Israel’s history. In the midst of all the political and spiritual unrest of Israel, God answered one woman’s prayer. He gave her a son, a man child, named Samuel who would later anoint David as king. As his first act as king of Israel, David restored the Ark to its rightful place and brought the greatest spiritual awakening in their history—the tabernacle of David.

Second Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people,” not “if my preachers,” or “if my politicians”! It says, “If my people … will humble themselves and pray.” The answer to America’s problems is the same answer it has always been throughout history: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

I believe the greatest opportunity for America to experience another Great Awakening is here. But we must meet the four requirements for revival: humble ourselves, pray, seek the face of God and repent of our wicked ways.

Posted 11th August by America the Battlefield

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Pulpit Freedom Sunday takes on controversial issues

Jun. 7, 2013 1:37 AM




Pastors take stand for Pulpit Freedom Sunday: Pulpit Freedom Sunday, recognized on Sunday, June 9, 2013, is a day during which pastors will discuss politics during their usual services. Video by Craig Rubadoux. Voiceover by Emre Kelly.


Written by
J.D. Gallop
FLORIDA TODAY



Pastor Charles Ross Rowland of Satellite Beach's Oceanside Community Church preaches to his congregation. / CRAIG RUBADOUX/florida today


church rules

IRS rules and regulations regarding churches and religious organizations:
• A church or religious organization’s earnings may not be used to benefit any private shareholder or individual
• Religious groups must not provide a substantial benefit to private interests
• Churches cannot devote substantial efforts in an attempt to influence legislation
• Churches and religious organizations must not participate in political campaigns, either for or against a candidate seeking public election



Charles Rowland is not worried that his message may be politically incorrect or out of vogue with popular culture. He may even rub political powers the wrong way.

The 65-year-old Southern Baptist pastor says he will step to the pulpit this Sunday and speak about his belief that homosexuality is a sin against God, that marriage is between a man and a woman, abortion is wrong and that believers must speak their conscience.

“I’m going to preach the gospel no matter what,” said Rowland, the spiritual leader of Oceanside Community Church in Satellite Beach.

This Sunday, many pastors across the nation plan to participate in the fifth annual Pulpit Freedom Sunday, a day aimed at defying IRS rules intended to regulate the balance between free speech, religion and laws governing tax-exempt statuses for churches.

Government rules restrict churches, and some other nonprofits, from campaigning for or against specific candidates for office or politicking about proposed legislation.

Some pastors say the rules contradict their biblical commission to preach the gospel or even call certain actions sin.

Rowland said he believes that more than ever, ministers are on the front line of an ongoing culture war and need to be outspoken — even if it against Internal Revenue Service regulations.

“What the government says is legal is not necessarily moral. You see that in the fact that the cohesiveness that held our country together has been breaking down for some time,” he said. “Having that community of shared values is eroding and everyone is doing what is right in their own eyes. We have to speak out.”
Shared views

Increasingly, some pastors say, issues about which they’ve been preaching cross into the political realm.

Some pastors point to the recent IRS admission that officials targeted dozens of conservative groups applying for tax exempt status. Some say the IRS case is another indication that churches could face similar scrutiny for what someone deems political speech. Last year, pastors at about a half dozen local churches participated in Pulpit Freedom Sunday, directly calling for a conservative outcome in the coming election. Many of the local pastors focused on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage.

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IRS commissioner stonewalls on prying into pro-life group’s prayers

4:05 PM 05/17/2013



Caroline May
Political Reporter



Testifying before the House Ways and Means Committee Friday, acting IRS commissioner Steven Miller was unable to answer whether it was appropriate for the IRS to inquire about the prayers of an organization seeking 501(c)(3) status.

Illinois Republican Rep. Aaron Schock pushed Miller for answers about some of the pro-life organizations the IRS reportedly targeted when the groups sought tax-exempt status. The Thomas More Society law firm has alleged that the federal tax collector pressed these organizations to reveal the content of their prayers.

“Mr. Chairman, I have with me a 150-page document given to me by the Thomas More Society detailing a number of pro-life organizations throughout the country which in application for 501(c)(3) status were given horrible instances of IRS abuse of power, political and religious bias, and a repression of their Constitutional rights,” Schock said, submitting the documents to the IG for Tax Administration.

Schock went on to ask about some of the alleged IRS abuses against the pro-life groups.

“A letter from the IRS office of exempt organization specialist in El Monte, California, specifically the Pacific Coast Division — I would note this is not in the Cincinnati division — to the Christian Voices for Life of Fort Bend County in Sugarland, Texas dated March 31, 2011, that I have here with me today. They were asked specifically, again this is a pro-life group, ‘In your educational program do you do education on both sides of the issues in your programs?’ Mr. Miller, your knowledge of the 501(c)(3) application, is that an appropriate question to ask?” Shock asked.

“Sir, I’m going to be honest and I’m not going to be able to speak to a specific development letter in a specific case I don’t know that I can do that under 6103,” Miller responded.

“Okay, let me ask you about another letter that was received by a pro-life group, this one in Iowa. Their question specifically asks from the IRS to the Coalition for Life of Iowa, ‘Please detail the content of the members of your organization’s prayers.’ Would that be an appropriate question to a 501(c)(3) applicant? The content of one’s prayers?” Schock asked.

“It pains me to say I can’t speak to that one either. But that’s an —” Miller said

“You don’t know whether or not that would be an appropriate question to ask an applicant?” Schock interrupted Miller.

“Speaking outside of this case, which I don’t know anything about, it would surprise me that that question was asked,” Miller said.

Schock followed it up with another question.

“And finally during another applicant’s conversation or back and forth they were asked specifically, ‘Please detail certain signs that may or may not be held up outside of a Planned Parenthood facility.’ Would that be an appropriate follow up to an applicant for 501(c)(3) application?”

Miller responded that he did not know the context but that it did not “sound like the usual question.”

Source: http://dailycaller.com/2013/05/17/irs-commissioner-stonewalls-on-prying-into-pro-life-groups-prayers/#ixzz2ThKPqQZH

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Note:

I was able to watch a portion of these hearings while they were being conducted on C-SPAN, specifically this line of questioning by Rep. Aaron Schock, (R-IL).  

I was shocked and amazed to hear the Congressman from Illinois drop the name of THOMAS MORE (in Thomas More Society) as if he were mentioning an American Hero of the Revolutionary War.   Immediately, I lost interest in the hearings and thought about who Sir Thomas More was.  I automatically remembered his persecution of Protestant Reformed Christians in Great Britain...

When I think of who Thomas More was, the name of William Tyndale translator of the Unadulterated Holy Bible to the English Language comes to mind; And I think of other Protestant Reformed Martyrs that were tortured and burned alive for their faith. This same Thomas More is now the Roman Catholic patron saint of statesmen and politicians; Our nation holds an annual RED MASS (in his honor) celebrated each fall at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C. on the Sunday before the first Monday in October (the Supreme Court convenes on the first Monday in October).    

Yes, I quickly lost interest in these hearings and was reminded that all this commotion is just a harbinger (a preview) of the persecution that will ensue for the faithful Christian remnant in the land of the free in the near future...  

We're now quotingThomas More, hah!  

Here comes America's Inquisition; And it will be brought to you with the blessings of the Thomas More Society, no less. 

Arsenio.

IRS Sued For Not Enforcing Ban On Political Endorsements By Churches

Posted by JacobSloan on November 18, 2012

Religious institutions should have had their tax-exempt status, which is contingent on not telling congregants how to vote, stripped a long time ago. This court case is largely symbolic, but hopefully it awakens discussion on this issue. The Freedom From Religion Foundation announces its legal action against the IRS:

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is taking the Internal Revenue Service to court over its failure to enforce electioneering restrictions against churches and religious organizations, calling it a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and of FFRF’s equal protection rights. FFRF filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.

A widely circulated Bloomberg news article quoted Russell Renwicks, with the IRS’ Tax-Exempt and Government Entities division, saying the IRS has suspended tax audits of churches. Other sources claim the IRS hasn’t been auditing churches since 2009.

As many as 1,500 clergy reportedly violated the electioneering restrictions on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012, notes FFRF’s legal complaint. The complaint also references “blatantly political” full-page ads running in the three Sundays leading up to the presidential elections by the Billy Graham Evangelical Association.

FFRF is asking the the federal court to enjoin IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman from continuing “a policy of non-enforcement of the electioneering restrictions against churches and religious organizations.”

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A Threat to Catholic Unity

09 June 2010

In the June 18th issue of the Catholic publication Commonweal, the magazine’s editors address a recent “remarkably defensive” letter from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), “Setting the Record Straight,” in which the directors of three of the conference’s initiatives, Pro-Life Activities, Immigration, and Justice, Peace and Human Development, chastise those who vocally dissented from the USCCB’s stand against the health care bill.
Those who broke from the USCCB included Women Religious and the Catholic Health Association, as well as a host of individual Catholic bishops and lay people and, ultimately, Representative Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) and Senator Robert Casey Jr. (D-PA); those who disagreed with the USCCB interpreted the new bill as not expanding government funding for abortion.

Indeed, restrictions on abortion funding exist with regard to Medicaid funding via the annually-renewed Hyde Amendment (1973) and government funding for the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education departments via the Weldon Amendment (2005). Various provider refusal laws, so-called “conscience clauses,” have been enacted since 1973 to limit patient access to morally or religiously “objectionable services” — including the Church Amendment (1973), the Coats Amendment (1996) and the infamous Bush “conscience clause” (2008) — creating a network of laws that shield denominational health care institutions and employees from adhering to patient informed consent. The premise “no federal funding for abortion” is an exaggeration of the Catholic Church — the second largest provider of health care in the US, managing 624 hospitals nationwide — and other “pro-life” organizations and legislators. That the Obama administration’s bill violated such a premise is denied by those who dissented from the USCCB’s position earlier this year.

Write the defiant editors of Commonweal:
What makes the USCCB and its legal and legislative staffs so confident that they alone are competent to understand the new law? Is there a possibility that the USCCB might be wrong? Evidently not. “Making such moral judgments, and providing guidance to Catholics on whether an action by government is moral or immoral, is first of all the task of bishops, not of any other group or individual,” the committee chairmen write. If you disagree with the bishops on highly technical legislative and legal questions, the statement suggests, you are guilty of causing confusion and wounding Catholic unity.

Independence of conscience has long been supported in Catholic doctrine. Catholics for Choice, in a 2008 document, “In Good Conscience,” cite various sources including St. Thomas Aquinas — ignoring an erroneous conscience is a mortal sin — to St. Paul — one’s conscience is primary but should not trump that of others. The Commonweal editors cite their own source: The USCCB’s 2007 statement “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” in which, “the conference insisted that ‘we bishops do not intend to tell Catholics for whom or against whom to vote,’ and that ‘the responsibility to make choices in political life rests with each individual in light of a properly formed conscience.’” It’s a mandate that is supported by US law regarding “separation of church and state” and the tax-exempt status of churches.

The Commonweal editors conclude:
If the authors of “Setting the Record Straight” wish to seize a “new opportunity for the Catholic community to come together in defense of human life,” they can start by not questioning the motives of those Catholics who disagree with them about how best to interpret the provisions of the new health-insurance law. On questions such as this, disagreement should not be understood as a threat to unity, but as a sign of the church’s intellectual vitality.
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Source: http://therevealer.org/archives/4336

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Why Not 501c3

theAntiChurch.org

...not affiliated with the antichrist!

Why Not 501c3

There are many, many reasons why no true Christian church should become a "501c3 tax-exempt religious organization." If the average pastor, deacon board, or professing Christian knew these reasons, those who love Jesus (opposed to those who merely practice religion, or a profession) would likely "tear their robes" and RUN NOT WALK out of such institutions.

However, the revelation of these facts is usually a slow process. This page is not exhaustive, but covers the main points in brief, and contains many links you may use to study the issue more thoroughly. Even a "partial revelation" of the information here should be enough to make the case why no true Christian should attend a 501c3 "church," and especially why they might never want to give money to one again. Acting on this information is, of course, a different matter. May God grant you grace to wrestle with and rightly act upon this information in His time.

In overview, these reasons can be listed under these headings:

1) 501c3 "churches" attempt to serve two masters, but their true and legal head (or "lord") is the State, not Jesus Christ

2) 501c3 "churches" sign a waiver to forfeit their 1st Amendment Freedom of Speech rights, and therefore are legally and honor-bound (by their oath) to NOT teach or preach the entire Word of God

3) Money given to all 501c3's (with paid employees) funds abortions and all manner of ungodliness, and may be an unclean offering before God

Are you willing to examine these claims? Read on...

1) 501c3 "churches" attempt to serve two masters, but their true and legal head (or "lord") is the State, not Jesus Christ:

It may surprise many to know that there is no such thing as a "501c3 church." TITLE 26 section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code (below) does not even mention churches. There are only "501c3 tax-exempt religious organizations" and they are ALL - by legal definition - "corporations," NOT churches. True churches are outside the scope of the law in this regard, because of the 1st Amendment and section 508c of the IRS code (see below). Legally, ALL corporations are creations of the State, and can exist solely by the State's permission. Their right to exist and practice charitable cause(s) - including religion - derives solely from the State granting the applying "charitable organization" the requested permission and requested legal authority to function.

Conversely, the true church is called into existence by Jesus Christ, who is its sole head (Col 1:18) and Sovereign. The church is mandated by God to meet, worship, preach, teach, evangelize, and to collect and distribute funds to the needy, etc, regardless of whether earthly authorities want or permit the church to function or exist. But by incorporating as a 501c3, a group of leaders asks the State's permission to exist, binds themselves by an oath, and effectively renounces Christ as its head...

The following quotes come from a multi-page article Woe To State Churches:

"A corporation is a creature of the state... Its rights to act as a corporation are only preserved to it so long as it obeys the laws of its creation..." (Hale v. Henkel, 201 U.S. 43)

"[A corporation is] an artificial person or legal entity created by or under the authority of the laws of a state."
Black's Law Dictionary West Publishing Company, 1991; 6th Edition, page 340

"A corporation derives its existence and all of its powers from the State and, therefore, has only such powers as the State has conferred upon it. ... the source of this power is the charter and the statute under which the corporation was organized." Len Young Smith and G. Gale Roberson, Smith and Roberson's Business Law, West Publishing Company, 1966, page 796

"A corporation derives its existence and all of its power from the State!" The church on the other hand was created by and is the body of Christ. We belong to Him and we are subject to Him and His Laws. The source of any church's power is supposed to be the Holy Spirit; it's authority to function solely from God... Why would you bring in a "fictitious entity" no less created by the state and man i.e.: corporation, to run and regulate something that belongs to the Lord? To become a corporation in effect divorces the church from Christ. We also commit idolatry by putting something before Him."

Read much more relating to the legal definition of a corporation, versus the nature of a true Christian church operating with Christ as its Sovereign at this multi-page article Woe To State Churches:

The "church" (ecclesia, meaning "assembly" or "called-out ones") as defined by scripture is called out of both the world's political and religious systems. By incorporating, Christian leaders turn their backs on Jesus' headship of His Bride, and wander right back into the religious system of the world. Is "adultery" or "harlotry" too strong a term to describe the church that does this? Probably not.

While of course not intending anything wrong, most churches today usually apply for 501c3 due to ignorance (or, "lack of knowledge" - Hosea 4:6) . "They think they have to," or a lawyer recommended that they do so, but most lawyers simply don't understand that churches are (or that anything could be) outside the scope of the law. Most also think they need to become 501c3 in order to be "tax exempt" (love of money), but in fact (!) churches in the United States of America are already tax-exempt, and donations to churches are tax-deductible already, without ever becoming a 501c3!

More from Woe To State Churches:

According to the Internal Revenue Code, "a church, its integrated auxiliaries, and conventions and associations of the church are excluded from taxation." United States Code, Title 26, 508(c)(1)(A).

Section 508(c) of the Internal Revenue Code provides that churches are not required to apply for recognition of Section 501(c)(3) status in order to be exempt from federal taxation or to receive tax deductible contributions. Churches are automatically exempt from Federal income tax, and contributions to churches are deductible by donors under section 170.

See also Facts About 501c3 Tax-Exempt Status for churches at Heal Our Land Ministries, which states:

"...note what the IRS says regarding churches and church ministries, in Publication 557:

Some organizations are not required to file Form 1023. These include:
Churches, interchurch organizations of local units of a church, conventions or associations of churches, or integrated auxiliaries of a church, such as a men’s or women’s organization, religious school, mission society, or youth group. These organizations are exempt automatically if they meet the requirements of section 501(c)(3). "
There is more than enough information out there to convince anyone that churches do not have to incorporate to apply for tax-exemptions, and that - even if the tax exemptions were not automatic - it is spiritual adultery for them to do so because all such religious corporations accept The State as their head. Only the State can give permission to incorporate, and this new legal entity is under the jurisdiction of the State alone the minute it incorporates; under U.S. law, all of a corporation's rights, powers and authority are granted by the State and subject to the State. However, when Christians regularly assemble for worship, teaching, preaching, etc, they automatically meet the IRS definition of a church without incorporating under State power, or requesting State permission for (and therefore scrutiny of) such activities. There is simply no U.S. law requiring churches to incorporate with The State, and churches are still obeying the "law of the land" by doing all of the above without incorporating. There are, however, many scriptural prohibitions to God's people "joining," "covenanting" or being "yoked with" pagan powers and unbelievers - which is the exact definition of 501c3 incorporation of a church.

But these are not the only relevant issues. Those that form such a covenant with the State enter into an oath ensuring their silence on many scriptural issues...


2) 501c3 "churches" sign a waiver to forfeit their 1st Amendment Freedom of Speech rights, and therefore are legally and honor-bound (by their oath) to NOT teach or preach the entire Word of God

Most believe that churches (501c3 organizations, that is) are limited merely from endorsing or opposing political candidates. However, that is only the last line of Title 26 Section 501 (c) (3). The full text which "pastors" (aka "employee agents" / CEOs of the 501c3 Corporations) are required to sign also prohibits "carrying on propaganda" - i.e., public discussion of issues that might at some time, by somebody, be deemed "political."


TITLE 26--INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
Sec. 501. Exemption from tax on corporations,
certain trusts, etc.
(c) List of exempt organizations

(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.

Question...
Is the word "church" mentioned anywhere in
Title 26 501(c)(3)
of the IRS Code?

NO. 501c3's are ONLY granted to corporations, community chests, funds & foundations organized for any variety of non-profit purposes. But "churches" are mentioned as automatically "exempt from taxation" under
Title 508(c)(1)(a)
-see above.

If you attend or "belong to" a 501c3 organization, you are NOT in a church, but a religious corporation that "belongs to" and is ruled by "the State." It is neither the creation, property, or agent of Jesus Christ, as HE is not it's rightful head or Sovereign - your 501c3 paperwork says so!




See Southern Illinois Patriot League's Deal With The Devil for more

Ask yourself - in today's world is homosexuality a political topic? Is abortion? What about euthanasia? These are only among the topics which 501c3 organizations and their "mouthpieces" are promising by their signature never to speak on! Pastors (as well as employees - and possibly, in the future even members of 501c3's who claim tax write-offs) cannot attempt even "to influence legislation" on any issue! America would never have even been founded if earlier churches had signed 501c3 agreements.



In 1954, Lynden B. Johnson introduced the 501c3 system (as documented by Peter Kershaw of Heal Our Land Ministries) in order "....to silence the church and eliminate the significant influence the church had always had on shaping "public policy." Kershaw continues,

"One need not look far to see the devastating effects 501c3 acceptance has had to the church, and the consequent restrictions placed upon any 501c3 church. 501c3 churches are prohibited from addressing, in any tangible way, the vital issues of the day.

"For a 501c3 church to openly speak out, or organize in opposition to, anything that the government declares "legal," even if it is immoral (e.g. abortion, homosexuality, etc.), that church will jeopardize its tax exempt status. The 501c3 has had a "chilling effect" upon the free speech rights of the church. LBJ was a shrewd and cunning politician who seemed to well-appreciate how easily many of the clergy would sell out. "
In Caesar's Grip , by Peter Kershaw

While the IRS has not yet been "pulling these chains" by punishing pastors and churches who speak against abortion and homosexuality (i.e., revoking tax-exempt status and seizing their property), rest assured, that the chains are in place. Even if the IRS never yanks that chain, the problem lies in the fact that a pastor (or organization) who signs a 501c3 application, then speaks on these issues, is breaking his word! He made an oath not to, even though he may not have understood the legal jargon or full implications of his oath. 501c3 pastors have promised not to discuss political issues (including those relating more properly to issues of morality).

But the apostle Paul stated that he did not fail to teach "all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:27). Scripture calls God's people to "love justice" and to "defend the rights of the poor" (legal issues), ensure "honest weights and measures" (economic issues) and decry evil (even in moral and political realms). Jonah preached to an entire city to repent of their sins. Samuel rebuked a king to his face over adultery and murder. If the Bible has information or The Holy Spirit gives revelation about any topic, the man of God is called to speak it!

The question is not whether the IRS (or any government agency, the ACLU, etc) chooses to sue or enforce the pastor's 501c3 oath - the question is How could any true Christian (pastor or otherwise) sign an oath to remain silent on any issue? The Biblical mandate for leaders is to "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season (i.e., popular, politically correct or not); reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine (2 Tim 4:2)."

But today's 501c3 churches cannot only not speak to their own people about these issues (legally, or morally, due to their oath). A 501c3 "employee agent" can't even use church stationary to write his congressman, much less rebuke a political figure personally. Antichrist could rise to power and today's church could not oppose him.

Forget homosexuality - if you do not see the day coming when it will be a "hate crime" to "damage someone's self-esteem" by telling someone what's wrong with being a Hindu, then your head is clearly in the sand. And your heart is clearly serving mammon, and fearing the IRS, not God.

The "law of our land" is clear about this however:

The 1st Amendment states that

"Congress shall make no law regarding an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"

The 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution made certain that "religious establishments" (including but not limited to Christian churches) could practice, say and do whatever they pleased, without government interference or regulation. By law, any unincorporated religious establishment can (still!) speak on issues of politics and morality, mobilize for any cause, and even finance the election or opposition of any political candidate. But by applying for and receiving a 501c3 "license to preach" pastors and churches have unwittingly signed away both their legal rights and their God-given responsibility to teach and preach "all the counsel of God." Just to receive a tax-exemption (that they already possess - Title 508(1)(a) - and some sort of unneeded recognition from the State, our "churches" sign away their very fundamental right to speak freely.

Many, many Christians often say that we should always vote, "because someone died to give us that right." Is the Bill of Rights any different? Our Christian forefathers fought and died to secure the Right to Free Speech for the church (establishments of religion), and today's religious leaders are duped into signing it away. Just as a criminal might "waive his right to an attorney" and sign a confession of guilt in order to plea bargain, today's pastors of 501c3 churches waive their right to free speech by applying for 501c3 status.

Consider the moral decline of America since 1954's inauguration of the 501c3 system, and know that this is largely because - as Kershaw states - the clergy have sold out. I ask again, "Is harlot too strong a word?"

What's worse is that due to the IRS's claim on earnings of 501c3 church employees, not only are the people of God unable to condemn the antichrist system, they are actually funding it through their tithes and offerings...


3) Money given to all 501c3's (with paid employees) funds abortions and all manner of ungodliness, and may be an unclean offering before God

Under construction

In the beginning of the 501c3 system, pastors and other church workers were legally classified as "ministers" and were exempt from taxation on gifts derived from their service to God and His church. However, in 1984 IRS law changed to require that even so-called "churches" must withhold income taxes from these otherwise sacred positions. All of its workers came to fall under the legal, secular designation of "employees" (of their tax exempt religious corporation) - rather than "laborers," "workers," "ministers," "pastors," etc, of Christ's church. In keeping with their scripturally prohibited covenant with earthly power, all 501c3 religious organizations must play the additional role of "tax collector" and IRS informant.

What this means financially - in short -is that a significant portion of a 501c3 member's gifts, tithes, offerings, etc goes directly to the Federal government, rather than to the house of God.

Say a religious worker earns $100 per week in salary (for example). Usually 15-20% of that is taken out before he receives it, as well as the 501c3 employer's additional contribution to Social Security, Medicare, FICA, etc - an additional 15-20%. So in order to pay a pastor or other worker approximately $80 net income per week, approximately $115-120 has to be taken from the "church coffers" - i.e., from donations intended for God's work. For every salaried "pastor" who earns $30,000 per year, the Federal Government receives approximately $9,000-12,000, taken directly from what 501c3 institution members (believe they) have sacrificed to God.

$100 salary = appx $120 expenses from religious institution's funds, or $80 (net) to income earner, while up to $40 goes to the federal government, taken directly from tithes, gifts, offerings, etc
$1000 salary = appx $1200 expenses from religious institution's funds, or $800 (net) to income earner, while up to $400 goes to the federal government, taken directly from tithes, gifts, offerings, etc
$30,000 salary = appx $36,000 expenses from religious institution's funds, or $24,000 (net) to income earner, while up to $12,000 goes to the federal government, taken directly from tithes, gifts, offerings, etc
(All figures here are approximate, and used for illustration purposes only. Check with your local 501c3 corporation for the exact percentage of your offering that is not going to God's work. Particularly large "churches" however - with over half a dozen employees - may be giving over $100,000 per year of God's money to fund unreligious and perhaps even unholy acts.)

Earthly government of course does many good (or at least benign) deeds with the money derived from collecting taxes, such as building roads, schools, libraries, paying congressmen and senators' salaries, defending borders, on so on. However, they also do many things that perhaps a Christian individual may not sanction or willingly fund according to their conscience, such as go to war and kill other people, and provide funding for abortions, "sex education" or even arts programs that desecrate or blaspheme Jesus Christ.

Note that there is nothing wrong with individuals paying taxes, if you owe them (Romans 13:1-8; this is not a "tax protest" stance). The issue raised here is to inform those who give regularly to a 501c3 institution that your gifts and sacrificial offerings are being perverted when your "priesthood" (church board, accountants, etc) willingly turn over such a large portion of your offering to non-kingdom activities (benign or otherwise). In short, your tithes are not going fully to God, His kingdom, His workers, His ministries, or His eternal purposes for The Church. IF your "church" pays "employees," and IF taxes are taken from their paychecks, the point of this writing is to inform you that your offerings to God are possibly unclean, because of the nature of the 501c3 system and your institution's penchant for rendering unto Caesar that which belongs to God.

A true detail of the antichrist nature of the Federal Reserve is beyond the scope of this article - perhaps only the more "conspiracy buff" individuals reading this have gleaned an understanding of that issue. We cannot help but pay taxes on our own personal income (which God also endorses when the government requires tribute), but as a matter of conscience - if not common sense - no true church or individual should additionally fund the world's system via offerings sacrificed to God. In fact, no true church does, only 501c3 religious corporations with paid employees do! True churches are not under the State's power to legislate or to tax. Only 501c3's are.

Note that there a few rare groups of Christian workers organized as a 501c3 that do not pay salaries - these groups would be okay to give to in the sense referred to here, but note that they are still "religious corporations," and subject to all which has been said here in points 1 and 2. Otherwise, the only way to protect your offerings to the Lord from such desecration is to give non-income gifts directly to individuals in need (alms), directly to those who teach or minister to you, and only to organizations that do not pay salaries to their workers and/or withhold tax. While well-intentioned, 501c3 corporations fund (via withholding taxes) whatever earthly government sees fit to spend your offering on - good, bad, or evil - and the sad fact is that the corporation's "ministers" are the ones who are contractually bound to the State and the IRS to defile the offerings.

How the sacred financial gifts of a Christian's worship can be so freely given to the profane is but another inherent snare of being - or belonging to - a 501c3 institution.

Conclusions
The Church of Jesus Christ is a living organism, called into existence by Jesus Christ. Her mandate to meet and to function is a divine mandate, outside the scope of earthly powers to permit or deny. Just as God instructed the Israelites to "make no covenant" (Ex 23:32 ; 34:12) with the members of other lands, the early church likewise "took nothing (such as tax-exemptions) of the gentiles" (3 John 1:7) "for His name's sake"! True churches functioned (flourished!) throughout history and in America for centuries before the 501c3 system was ever introduced, and no true church needs to be a 501c3 to be legitimate in the eyes of God, OR in the eyes of American law. We affirm that individual believers must obey the all the laws of the land (including paying taxes). However, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution places The Church as a corporate entity outside the scope of legislation. Even if it did not, there is no law that requires churches to become 501c3 religious corporations anyway, so no one is "obeying the law of the land" by incorporating as a 501c3. They are instead simply voluntarily subjecting Christ's church to pagan rule.

To do so reduces a body of believers to the designation of a State Church, rather than a true Church of Jesus Christ, and effectively (i.e., legally, on paper, via a signed oath) names the State as its Head and Sovereign authority. This oath prevents the free preaching of the entire counsel of God by the state-licensed "minister," preventing him from ever calling evil what the State calls good, or from calling good whatever the State may decide to call evil. And instead of the offerings of God's people going solely to the needy, to widows and orphans, and to funding church-planting missionaries, a huge portion of the people's offerings funds evil.

There is no reason why any true Christian believer should ever be a member of a 501c3 religious corporation incorrectly calling itself a church - and many compelling reasons why they should leave immediately if they are, and renounce such membership/covenant with the world.


Solutions
Any delegate of a 501c3 religious corporation may want to visit www.hushmoney.org for more info and resources pertaining to dissolving your corporation and functioning as a legitimate Christian church.

Any individual in covenant membership with a 501c3 religious corporation of the State (and therefore the world system) may want to share this information with those in your fellowship in hopes that they might change, but most importantly, harken to the words of Jesus Christ:

"Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Revelation 18:6 (Consider also other "come out from among them" verses addressed to Christians practicing falsehood - 2Cor 6:15-18; 1Tim 6:5; 2Tim 3:5, etc. Take note that none of the above verses offer an immediate solution or "alternative," such as "come out and do what...?" - they only implore believers to turn away from those who practice falsehood, and to leave false practices behind. Be willing to "enter the wilderness" if required, and acknowledge God, asking Him to direct your steps.

Any individual wanting to practice non-501c3 Christianity, as well as church without unscriptural building expenses, salaried ministers, and a fully participatory meeting that encourages the maturing priesthood of all believers, may want to visit or start an AntiChurch -


FAQ, Related Topics, Common Objections...

My pastor / elders / church board say they will only bother to unincorporate from 501c3 status if "the State" asks them to do something unscriptural....
Your pastor / elders / church board have already committed the unscriptural act of entering into a covenant with pagan powers and receiving from Gentiles (cf Ex 23:32, 3 John 1:7), and have already committed idolatry by placing the State above Jesus Christ as the head of your church. He/they have already committed the unscriptural act of compromising their calling and ministry by swearing an oath to not teach or preach on certain topics. He/they are already poorly stewarding your donations to God by diverting a large portion of them out of God's hands via federal income taxes to employees. Also, if they report your donations to the IRS, they are disobeying the command to let your giving be in secret (Matt 6:3-4. In fact, you may be in violation of these scriptures as well, if you report such donations to the IRS ). EVERYTHING about the 501c3 system is inherently unscriptural to begin with - can you really trust such "leaders" to not ask "how high" the next time the State says "Jump?" Can you really trust those with this level of discernment to be your spiritual authorities in the first place?

Granted, most do all of the things listed on this page out of ignorance of the real issues (Hosea 4:6). We affirm that many in ministry today are sincere workers who love Jesus Christ and have every intention of obeying His Word. Share this information with them, and pray for them to receive revelation, and hope that they will repent. But do not ignore God's command for you to "come out" and "turn away" from those who love and practice falsehood in the meantime.

All this may be true, but my church still does wonderful things and I know God still uses us, despite our faults. Consider Jesus' words to the church at Ephesus: "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience... and for my name's sake hast laboured... Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love... Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent." (Rev 2) We do not deny that your group may have done many wonderful deeds for the Lord, or that He may be moving among and through you. However, Jesus often still "has issues" with those whom he loves and uses. What could be more akin to forsaking Him as first love than seeking State incorporation and full control of His church? His counsel is to repent. If the leaders of your church will not repent, you should probably leave (but see below*). You should embrace your rightful role as king and priest (and head of household, where applicable). You should follow God's commands without the interfering fog of mediators other than Jesus Christ between you and God. The only thing stopping you is the probable negative opinions of others, worrying about what they will say (fear of man). Didn't you leave all that behind at the cross anyway, when you first obeyed God's call to follow Jesus Christ? Again, His counsel from the letter to the church at Ephesus is to do your first works again.

* (On a personal note, it took this author quite some time of sorting through this type of information before becoming firm enough in my convictions to finally leave the institutional church. May God grant you grace to walk humbly and mercifully with those you share this information with, and may His Spirit guide you in your decisions.)

Teaching like this is more likely to destroy the church as a whole, rather than benefit it. On a personal note, don't you care about such things? Mark 14:58 says "We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands." I suppose that I too have "heard him say" such a thing, and frankly have no concern over whether or not man-made or institutional religion survives the wake of this article. (In fact, I believe it will survive just fine, as most 501c3 corporations would be able to financially weather the departure of any "remnant" that leaves based on this single article. I am fully aware that most people will not heed it anyway, but will remain in the system in which they are comfortable with and accustomed to.) Even if I did somehow manage to destroy the institutional system (doubtful), I am at worst following the example of Jesus, and the precedent of God's destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. I am most concerned with the welfare and building of God's kingdom, which I do not believe is or can be rightly expressed through the 501c3 system. This article is intended only as my contribution to edifying those believers who truly wish to build Jesus Christ's church. Those who wish to build the State's church, I wish well, but don't have time for.

I don't know of a "free church" or antichurch in my area. Isn't it better to remain in some sort of church in the meantime? Yes, if you can find a true church. Odds are however, you only know of 501c3 religious corporations, and these are not churches - just see #2 above. "Come out" as the scripture commands, and follow the Holy Spirit from there. It's amazing what you will often see right around you once the scales have fallen from your eyes, and you've obeyed the last thing God made clear to you. Until you obey however, no further revelation or direction is likely to be given (but see God's promise in 2Cor 6:18, below).

What's stopping you from gathering two or three others and starting an antichurch in your area?

I don't like your attitude - who are you to say I'm not in a true church? I truly do not mean to be insulting or disrespectful to those brethren "in the system" when saying this. I especially do not mean that you (as an individual) are not part of Christ's invisible church of the ages (or His Body and Bride), but refer here to your local 501c3 incorporated institution. I know most are only there out of a sincere desire to serve Jesus Christ, and you are merely doing what we have all been told for decades to do. The facts are plain, however, due to your organization's signed paperwork : you are not in a church by legal or scriptural definition - you are in a State controlled "tax-exempt religious organization." You are in a corporation that has made covenant with an earthly kingdom and replaced Jesus Christ's headship with man's. The only way for you to exist and function as Christ's church (on earth, in a local assembly of other called-out ones) is to completely dismantle the organization you are in, or to leave it.

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?
and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God;
as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
2 Cor 6:14-18

God's promise is IF you come out from "them," HE will be a Father to you.
Trust him to provide a proper "church home," fellowship, accountability, service to Him, etc
once you have done your part and obeyed the command to leave the corrupt system behind.


Source: http://www.theantichurch.org/501c3churchinfo.htm
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Ministers to Defy I.R.S. by Endorsing Candidates

By LAURIE GOODSTEIN

Published: September 25, 2008

Defying a federal tax law they consider unjust, 33 ministers across the country will take to their pulpits this Sunday and publicly endorse a candidate for president.

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They plan to then send copies of their sermons to the Internal Revenue Service, hoping to provoke a challenge to a law that bars religious organizations and other nonprofits that accept tax-deductible contributions from involvement in partisan political campaigns.

The protest, called Pulpit Freedom Sunday, was organized by the Alliance Defense Fund, a consortium of Christian lawyers that fights for conservative religious and social causes. When the fund first announced the protest this year, it said it planned to have 50 ministers taking part. As of Thursday it said it had hundreds of volunteers, but had selected only 33 who were fully aware of the risks and benefits.

The fund did not make the list of participants public, saying that it had received phone calls threatening to disrupt the sermons. One participant reached by telephone said he could not talk about it.

Another participant, the Rev. Luke Emrich of New Life Church, a small evangelical church in West Bend, Wis., demurred when asked which candidate he planned to endorse on Sunday.

“I would say endorsement is a strong word,” he said. “I’m planning to make a recommendation. I’m going to evaluate each candidate’s positions in light of Scripture and make a recommendation to my congregation as to which candidate aligns more so.”

The fund provides legal support for religious conservatives who have long felt aggrieved at what they say are limits on their religious expression.

Organizers said they wanted a range of clergy of various faiths and political persuasions to join the protest, but acknowledged that the participants might be “weighted” toward the conservative end of the spectrum and more likely to support the Republican candidate, Senator John McCain, than the Democrat, Senator Barack Obama.

Erik Stanley, senior legal counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund, said: “This is not something these churches want to do in secrecy and hiding. In fact, they don’t believe they’re doing anything wrong. They don’t believe they’re violating the law.

“What they’re doing is talking to their congregations about biblical issues related to candidates and elections, and they believe they have the constitutional right to do that.”

The protest is challenging an amendment to the tax code passed by Congress in 1954 saying that charitable organizations known as 501(c)(3)’s, which accept tax-deductible contributions, cannot intervene in political campaigns. The legislation was intended to prevent nonprofit organizations from funneling money and resources to political candidates.

Many members of the clergy support the ban on politicking from the pulpit. Nearly 30 clergy members, some leaders of denominations, signed a pledge recently vowing to refrain from endorsing candidates. The pledge was distributed by the Interfaith Alliance, a liberal religious advocacy group.

In the last decade, church politicking has drawn increasing scrutiny. Organizations like Americans United for Separation of Church and State have made a show of reporting churches to the I.R.S. to deter transgressors.

The Rev. Barry Lynn, of Americans United, said of the protest on Sunday: “They act like this is a massive act of civil disobedience, but this is not like sitting in at a lunch counter. This is trying to change the law to give certain conservative churches even more political clout.”

A spokesman for the I.R.S. said that the agency was aware of Pulpit Freedom Sunday and “will monitor the situation and take action as appropriate.”

Experts in tax law say it is more likely that the Alliance Defense Fund and its lawyers will face legal sanctions than the ministers, who may simply receive warnings to avoid politicking in the future.

Three former I.R.S. officials, now lawyers in a Washington firm, recently sent a letter to the I.R.S.’s Office of Professional Responsibility urging that the Alliance Defense Fund and its lawyers be investigated for “inducing churches to engage in conduct designed to violate federal tax law in a direct and blatant matter.”

One of the three who signed the letter, Marcus Owens, the former director of the division of tax-exempt organizations, said, “The ethics issue is a very real one, and the I.R.S. and the Department of Justice cannot be seen as blinking when lawyers or C.P.A.’s counsel people in how to violate the tax law.”

The organizers of Pulpit Freedom Sunday are convinced that the protest will result in a court challenge to the law. Mr. Stanley said the law was so unclear that, “I anticipate getting to federal court, certainly the appeals court.” But Robert W. Tuttle, a professor of law and religion at the George Washington University Law School, found that unlikely.

“It’s settled law,” Professor Tuttle said. “People can unsettle law that’s settled, but I think that it is very, very unlikely that a lower federal court would reach any other conclusion except that religious organizations have no constitutional right to engage in political speech while accepting deductible contributions.”

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/us/politics/26preach.html?ref=politics