LDS involvement in Prop 8 could jeopardize tax exempt status

[aquaphase]

http://lds501c3.wordpress.com/

Very very interesting. I know several people who spend a lot of time watchdogging tax exempt groups for their activities and apparently the LDS church has been monkeying around in things for a very long time.

[monet2u]

interesting...we'll we're going to see a lot more info coming out daily.

[Phyllis]

any church that tells its members who/what to vote for should lose their tax exempt status, at the very least.

[Irock]

No way this will fly. The evangelicals will have a fit, so will the Catholics. It's pretty well established that Churches can take a role in the political process (hell, MLK was a preacher); of course the crux of the issue would be what constitutes a "substantial part" of the church's activities, and there are about 9 milllion ways to spin that question... But I seriously doubt they can show that a significant portion of the *national* LDS was attempting to influence that legislation.

I was disappointed by prop eight, but I don't think the IRS will touch this with a ten foot pole.

[sam]

I deeply, deeply doubt that the feds will call an organization with their kinds of resources to account in a serious way. Even then, a slap on the wrist could be significant.

This story is only sort of related but interesting.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008 ... ntPage=all

There is one part:

Symbolic commitment to the institution of marriage remains strong there, and politically motivating—hence the drive to outlaw gay marriage—but the actual practice of it is scattershot.

Maybe that starts to explain why these propositions have been successful.

[Irock]

at purity balls, where girls in frothy dresses exchange rings with their fathers, who vow to help them remain virgins until the day they marry.

ew ew ew ew eeeeeeeew!

That is so fucking creepy. Ew.

I actually heard (read?) someone mention a "purity ball" the other day and pictured some kind of modern day chastity belt type device, only way weirder. I knew that couldn't be right but then I was distracted by something shiney.

[mere1975]

I actually heard (read?) someone mention a "purity ball" the other day and pictured some kind of modern day chastity belt type device, only way weirder. I knew that couldn't be right but then I was distracted by something shiney.

Was it me? (you have to scroll a few posts down)

- Mere "Sam and I had fun calling the 10 year old on TV with a red purity ball dress a slut" 1975

[Irock]

That explains it. I guess the Purity ball confusion was trumped by the "she kept having sex by accident" confusion.

[squeezle]

just received this email from my mother... i don't even know where or how to begin

By Dr. James C. Denison
Senior Pastor for Teaching, Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas

November 7, 2008
Topic: the Bible and Barack Obama


Serving in the White House

I've been contemplating which job in the new administration I would like. My first choice would have been chief of staff, but it's already taken. I will admit that Rahm Emanuel has some credentials I don't. He is an accomplished ballet dancer and triathlete. Criticized for his hard-nosed partisan political ways, he is also good friends with John McCain's best friend, Lindsey Graham, and current White House chief of staff, Joshua Bolten. He is a devout Orthodox Jew; in fact, his father was involved in the movement which led to the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. His family's Hebrew faith is clear in his name: "Rahm" means "high," while Emanuel means "God with us."

After serving for years in the Clinton White House, he returned to the private sector where he became a very successful investment banker. He was then elected to the House of Representatives in 2002 and became the fourth-ranking Democrat in the House. A close friend of Mr. Obama, he will now work to accomplish his agenda. I guess his political experience somewhat dwarfs my own (though anyone who has worked with a Baptist church's finance committee knows something about political intrigue).

I don't think Treasury would be a good fit for me, since Janet balances our checkbook to keep us out of jail. This morning's New York Times tells us that Mr. Obama is meeting today with a new economic advisory board including Warren Buffett, Lawrence Summers, Robert Rubin, Paul Volcker, and Eric Schmidt (CEO of Google). I use Google quite often and wish I owned some of Mr. Buffett's stock, but would have no other expertise to add.

Education might be a good fit, since I happen to have one. I would really like Secretary of State, since he or she gets to travel. Commerce wouldn't be as attractive (see checkbook admission above). Interior might work, since I live in the interior of the country. As you can see, Mr. Obama is making a wise choice in not choosing me.

I may not be qualified to serve in Mr. Obama's new administration, but I can be helpful in other ways. First and foremost, as we have seen this week, I can and must pray daily for our new president. God's word makes this imperative mandatory for all believers, no matter our political affiliations and preferences (1 Timothy 2:1-4). I am also required to demonstrate Christlike character in speaking of our new president, when I agree and when I disagree with his decisions. Matthew 18:15 obligates me to speak to people rather than about them, our leaders included. If you follow Jesus, you are under the same mandates. Have you obeyed God's word today? We'll continue on Monday.

[aquaphase]

Is that email really just a secret roadmap for assassination?

[sam]

I am also required to demonstrate Christlike character in speaking of our new president..

Is it Christlike to be patronizing and sarcastic?

[aquaphase]

I am also required to demonstrate Christlike character in speaking of our new president..

Is it Christlike to be patronizing and sarcastic?

[katie]

i'm too distracted to read the links right now, but i'll get there. i just wanted to mention that the "god hates fags" folks from the westboro baptist church is going to be picketing the laramie project outside where i used to work (and where my best friend currently does work). some have decided to organize a counter-protest. if i could be there, i'd most likely carry a sign that says, "god hates haters." and maybe make out with some girls.