WASHINGTON — Pastor Gus Booth remembers when he used to simply encourage his congregation of 150 in Warroad, Minn., to vote each Election Day. Now, he thinks it's important to tell them which candidate should get their vote.
On Sunday , as part of the "Pulpit Initiative" organized by an Arizona-based conservative Christian legal group, Booth is set to join dozens of clergy nationwide in challenging Internal Revenue Service rules that prohibit churches from politicking by supporting or opposing candidates.
"If we can tell you what to do in the bedroom, we can certainly tell you what to do in the voting booth," said the minister, an evangelical leader of a nondenominational church, who expects to endorse Republican John McCain during his Pulpit Freedom Sunday sermon.
70 comments
"If we can tell you what to do in the bedroom, we can certainly tell you what to do in the voting booth, "
Missing The Point All The Way Around award?
"If we can tell you what to do in the bedroom, we can certainly tell you what to do in the voting booth,"
Wow. A double-barrel shotgun of fail.
"Now, he thinks it's important to tell them which candidate should get their vote."
And exactly why would he think that's either appropriate or required?
"On Sunday , as part of the "Pulpit Initiative" organized by an Arizona-based conservative Christian legal group, Booth is set to join dozens of clergy nationwide in challenging Internal Revenue Service rules that prohibit churches from politicking by supporting or opposing candidates."
Yes, piss off the IRS. That's always a good idea. I hope you have all of your tax exempt info handy as I'm sure the auditor will need to see your personal and church financial records when they come knocking at your door.
""If we can tell you what to do in the bedroom, we can certainly tell you what to do in the voting booth,""
How about you mind your own fucking business instead?
Is it just churches (or more generally places of religious worship) that are barred from endorsing candidates or does this apply to non-profits in general?
Non-profits in general are defined as an organization "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." If you don't fit that requirement, you have to pay taxes. No exceptions or refunds.
-Frank
So you want tax-exemption AND political influence?
Greedy Christian bastard.
Have fun with the IRS next April.
"If we can tell you what to do in the bedroom, we can certainly tell you what to do in the voting booth,"
Careful now pastor, your control is showing.
Say hello to the IRS!
Happy April 15th !
...Booth is set to join dozens of clergy nationwide in challenging Internal Revenue Service rules that prohibit churches from politicking by supporting or opposing candidates.
I have to wonder how many billions of dollars these Christ-sanctioned jackals have gotten away with not paying into the system. I can't wait until you guys are sweating April 15th just like the rest of us.
"If we can tell you what to do in the bedroom, we can certainly tell you what to do in the voting booth,"
...that's a very good reason not to listen to them at all.
there's just ONE embargo on them: keepout of party politics, but they're so arrogant, and PROUD, and self-opinionated that they can't keep off it, AND they want to keep their privileged status
Disgusting and horrifying. Absolutely sickening.
Thankfully, no church idiot tells me what I can or cannot do in ANY area of my life.
Fuck Christianity.
"If we can tell you what to do in the bedroom, we can certainly tell you what to do in the voting booth,"
If I find you in my bedroom or my voting booth you're going to meet Jesus in a hurry.
"If we can tell you what to do in the bedroom, we can certainly tell you what to do in the voting booth"
The scary thing is he just might get away with it. Of course, churches and clergy have had major influence on politics for a long time, but this kind of brazen attitude about it is unsettling. It demonstrates that sense of entitlement they have to run everyone's lives and make everyone's decisions for them. He is basically admitting he is a brainwasher.
y'all ready to meet with h r block soon?
See, if you start politicking you better be ready to PAY YOUR FUCKING TAXES
"If we can tell you what to do in the bedroom, we can certainly tell you what to do in the voting booth."
This is really frightening and immensely stupid at the same time. I got a migraine just looking at it.
If we can tell you what to do in the bedroom, we can certainly tell you what to do in the voting booth
Well then, it's a damn good thing you can't tell me what to do in the bedroom, isn't it?
"If we can tell you what to do in the bedroom, we can certainly tell you what to do in the voting booth,"
Good to know that being told what to do is what your country was founded on, then.
Personally, I can certainly tell you what to fuck yourself with. Once you're done with all the kiddies, eh pastor?
Nice use of bold-facing! I am thinking of a button/bumper sticker I've seen saying, "Religions are just cults with millions more members." Now, I don't agree with that. However, I understand why someone would produce and wear these items when I hear of absolute control-freak pastors like this.
This is why churches should lose tax-exempt status altogether. The government is not supposed to recognize any church or state religion, but as it stands, that's what happens. How does one get recognition for tax purposes or performing civil ceremonies like marriages? So some religions are more equal than others. Scrap this silliness, and whatever a pastor says at the pulpit will be protected by free-speech statutes, as with any other individual or organization.
So you admit that you are in the business of promoting political propaganda? Funny, I don't recall that Jesus did any such thing (except to encourage people to render unto Ceaser, etc.). But then, when have modern American Christians been the slightest bit concerned with what Jesus had to say?
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
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