Petition IRS to revoke Church of Latter Day Saints tax-exempt status

N

NoWowway_IHB

New member
<em>http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=93842195095</em>



This is one site to join if you have facebook and are interested in progressing the separation of church and state:



The separation of church and state has a qualification that no political endorsements of candidates or excessive lobbying and donations are given to ballot initiatives in exchange for tax-exempt status. The amount of money seems to be a gray area.



The LDS church contributed a significant amount of money and effort to endorse PROP 8 in California via its network of church, media, and community outlets enshrining discrimination under the law for thousands of Californians and their families.



In exchange for their legislative efforts, the LDS church's tax-exempt status should be revoked by the IRS.



"In general, no organization, including a church, may qualify for IRC section 501(c)(3) status if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying)."



See:http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1828.pdf



I believe the church's involvement in YES ON 8 is in violation of Federal Tax code.



This is not an organized petition but a call for personal action with your local government. I encourage you to spread word of the group to those who may have more insight into the legal and tax implications as well as your friends and family.
 
Sorry for lots of updates, this is my first FB group and I'm still getting used to all the options.



Given the news reports and web references to similar actions by the LDS church in the past it seems to come down to one issue when deciding a 501(c)(3) violation: how much money was involved and where it came from.



Given that the money came from the church membership and not the offices of the church, the question comes down to: are the church members a thin veiled proxy for the church and even if the check didn't have the LDS account number on it, does the nature of the relationship between churches and their members constitute a single entity? Fidelity to one's church is part of the affiliation and loyalty bond whereas most people would consider themselves part of "the body" of the church.



It would be interesting on how the prior case law decided the older complaints. Given the amount raised for YES on PROP 8 was over $74 million, it is the most expensive social proposition in history.



This is in effect: money laundering.



The ACLU and other groups are taking another angle: the initiative is invalid at face value.



1. The petition charges that Proposition 8 is invalid because the initiative process was improperly used in an attempt to undo the constitution's core commitment to equality for everyone by eliminating a fundamental right from just one group-- lesbian and gay Californians.



2. According to the California Constitution, such radical changes to the organizing principles of state government cannot be made by simple majority vote through the initiative process, but instead must, at a minimum, go through the state legislature first.



The California Constitution itself sets out two ways to alter the document that sets the most basic rules about how state government works. Through the initiative process, voters can make relatively small changes to the constitution. But any measure that would change the underlying principles of the constitution must first be approved by the legislature before being submitted to the voters.



That didn't happen with Proposition 8, and that's why it's invalid.
 
<em>http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid64163.asp</em>



Mormons Bankroll Anti?Gay Marriage Amendments in California, Arizona

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has mobilized followers to give an estimated 77% of donations to support California's proposed marriage ban.



Californians Against Hate released figures Tuesday showing that $17.67 million was contributed by 59,000 Mormon families since August to groups like Yes on 8. Contributions in support of Prop. 8 total $22.88 million. Additionally, the group reports that Mormons have contributed $6.9 million to pass a a similar law, Proposition 102, in Arizona.



"It is a staggering amount of money and an even more staggering percentage of the overall campaign receipts," Fred Karger of Californians Against Hate said in a press release. "The Mormon Church, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, has hijacked the campaigns in both California and Arizona, where voters face constitutional amendments to end same-sex marriage."



Karger said Californians Against Hate came up with the figures by cross-referencing donor information from the California secretary of state with Brigham Young University alumni lists, church memberships, and other personal documentation that could identify Mormon Church members. He said the surge in support has been an attempt to boost the church's social standing among the greater religious community.



"For whatever reason, they're trying to get some respect from other religions," he told The Advocate Tuesday. "They've always been looked down upon by the Christians, the Catholics, and evangelicals."



Success with the marriage amendment would give the church credibility, Karger said.



The Latter-day Saints Church says it has approximately 770,000 members in California, accounting for about 2% of the state's population. Senior church elders broadcast a call to Mormons October 8 for increased volunteer efforts and donations for the marriage fight. The hour-long message went out to churches in Utah, Hawaii, and Idaho as well as California.



Members of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, the second-highest church governing body, explained their plan to pass the ballot initiative. They asked each California congregation to commit 30 volunteers to donate four hours a week to Proposition 8. They also urged young people to use technology -- such as social networks, text messaging, and blogging -- to spread the word. (Michelle Garcia, The Advocate)
 
Instead of the Mormons I say the retards at scientology should be shut down..... What a bunch of losers.

Oh well, i KNOW i'm not rich enough to be a member.

-bix
 
[quote author="biscuitninja" date=1225968987]Instead of the Mormons I say the retards at scientology should be shut down..... What a bunch of losers.

Oh well, i KNOW i'm not rich enough to be a member.

-bix</blockquote>


The Scientologists are definitely the more questionable church organization. I have been to their world headquarters in San Jacinto. They make movies about Scientology in hundreds of languages there.
 
[quote author="skek" date=1225972917]Uh-oh, you've criticized the Scientologists on the internet. Expect a cease and desist letter any day now.</blockquote>


I have only one thing to say to their cease and desist letter:



<img src="http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/fuck_you.gif" alt="" />
 
Full disclosure: I am not a Mormon, I donated to the No on 8 campaign, and I support banning tax-exempt organizations from using those same tax free dollars to lobby on behalf of any political side.



That being said, the Mormons in Utah didn't vote for Prop.8. Look at the demographics of the Yes votes and you will see that the majority of white and asian voters were against it while the majority of hispanic voters were for it and an overwhelming number (70%) of black voters supported it. If this had happened any election cycle but this election cycle, it would have failed.



It was the unusually higher turn-out of Obama supporters that had the unintended effect of pasing this proposition. Unintended because there is no way that the social conservatives who wrote this travesty were counting on traditionally Democratic voters and higher than average turn-out to pass their bill.



I know it feels good to blame the evil Religious Right, but doing so ignores the truth and prevents a real consensus in the future.



<a href="http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls/#CAI01p1">Source</a>
 
[quote author="IrvineRenter" date=1225973200][quote author="skek" date=1225972917]Uh-oh, you've criticized the Scientologists on the internet. Expect a cease and desist letter any day now.</blockquote>


I have only one thing to say to their cease and desist letter:



<img src="http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/fuck_you.gif" alt="" /></blockquote>


I just wanted to say I agree, and I wanted to see that picture again!
 
I just got home and am very tired, and once I have more accurate info, I will post accordingly.



But Nude, even though Mormon's in Utah didn't vote on 8, they basically bank rolled it and their leader urged church members to get involved on a monumental scale.



While I'm too beat to look for links, I will tell you that the next protest in L.A. is tomorrow.



Take a wild guess where it is.
 
[quote author="Nude" date=1225974762]Full disclosure: I am not a Mormon, I donated to the No on 8 campaign, and I support banning tax-exempt organizations from using those same tax free dollars to lobby on behalf of any political side.



That being said, the Mormons in Utah didn't vote for Prop.8. Look at the demographics of the Yes votes and you will see that the majority of white and asian voters were against it while the majority of hispanic voters were for it and an overwhelming number (70%) of black voters supported it. If this had happened any election cycle but this election cycle, it would have failed.



It was the unusually higher turn-out of Obama supporters that had the unintended effect of pasing this proposition. Unintended because there is no way that the social conservatives who wrote this travesty were counting on traditionally Democratic voters and higher than average turn-out to pass their bill.



I know it feels good to blame the evil Religious Right, but doing so ignores the truth and prevents a real consensus in the future.



<a href="http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls/#CAI01p1">Source</a></blockquote>


Are you saying that a group that constitutes less than 8% of the total state's populations is solely responsible for this win?



According to the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-110608-me-superchart-g,0,7151660.graphic">LA Times exit poll</a>, 60% of married people supported the bill. Maybe we should outlaw all marriages.



You should also include the following statistics of the people who voted yes:



81% white evangelicals

82% Republican

85% Conservative
 
[quote author="ABC123" date=1226014597]Are you saying that a group that constitutes less than 8% of the total state's populations is solely responsible for this win?



According to the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-110608-me-superchart-g,0,7151660.graphic">LA Times exit poll</a>, 60% of married people supported the bill. Maybe we should outlaw all marriages.



You should also include the following statistics of the people who voted yes:



81% white evangelicals

82% Republican

85% Conservative</blockquote>
All the sources are pulling their information from the same place, just so you know. As you can see from the link you provided, it's 10% not 8%. Whites and asians voted 51% no, blacks and latinos voted 70% and 53% yes, respectively. Simply put, if it was only white Republican conservatives voting yes this would have failed. Considering how close the vote was in percentages, the black and latino votes were the margin of victory.
 
I think the reason No on 8 lost was the Obama effect.

So many Blacks and Latino`s voted. They took the Yes stance

by default. Especially after all those campaign ads showing

that gay lifestyles would be taught in public schools.



Dont underestimate the LDS. They have BIG BUCKS.

I would not be surprised at how many millions they laundered

into the YES campaign in the least. "And for them its chump change".



As far as getting the IRS to do something about LDS. Thats like taking Utah

and removing its Statehood. Not going to Happen.
 
Here's a press release about Mormon involvement on Prop 8. I'm heading over to the protest now.



<em>Leading supporters of marriage equality will hold a news conference in front of the Los Angeles Mormon Temple in response to the Mormon church?s leading role in the deceptive advertising campaign for Prop 8.



<strong>At the urging of church President Thomas Monson, Mormons contributed more than $15 million to fund the initiative that would repeal the right of same-sex couples to marry.

</strong>

Bring your signs! It is unacceptable for the Utah-based Mormon Church, or any religious organization, to attempt to change the constitution of California to deny civil rights to any group of people.



Speakers include:

* Lorri L. Jean, CEO, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center

* Religious and Community Leaders

</em>
 
Only $15 million, where is the rest of the money come from? I've heard YES on 8 raised $1billion. So you can't blame the Mormons alone.

For the record, I voted NO on 8.
 
It won?t work. Besides the fact that it?s absolutely ridiculous to single out Mormons for the passage of prop 8, under the rules and the case law interpreting the rules of 501(c), there is no way LDS will be found in violation of 501(c).



Generally, in order for a 501(c)(3) entity to be in violation of anti lobbying rules, ?<strong> a substantial part</strong>? of a 501(c)(3) organization?s activities must be devoted to ?carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation.? (IRC 501(c)(3).



Regardless of whether LDS?s activities satisfy the lobbying part of the above test, there is no way that $20 million or even $100 million, will be considered a ?substantial part? or the organization. Although there is no bright line rule for what is considered a ?substantial part,? prior cases suggest that expenditures of less than 5% of an organization?s expenditures is never a ?substantial part? and expenditures of more than 16.5% or 20.5% maybe a substantial part. (470 F.2d 849, 500 F.2d 1133). $20 million is probably not even 5% of LDS?s annual water bill. LDS is huge, savvy and has serious domestic and international expenditures.



Why do you feel a need to be punitive about prop 8? Clearly there are more voters who disagree with you than agree with you. Trying to mess with LDS is not going to change the vote and will probably provoke people who disagree with you to be even more vocal. If you don?t like the outcome, then organize a new proposition to undue prop 8. That?s how democracy works.
 
[quote author="Trooper" date=1226028916]Here's a press release about Mormon involvement on Prop 8. I'm heading over to the protest now.



<em>Leading supporters of marriage equality will hold a news conference in front of the Los Angeles Mormon Temple in response to the Mormon church?s leading role in the deceptive advertising campaign for Prop 8.



<strong>At the urging of church President Thomas Monson, Mormons contributed more than $15 million to fund the initiative that would repeal the right of same-sex couples to marry.

</strong>

Bring your signs! It is unacceptable for the Utah-based Mormon Church, or any religious organization, to attempt to change the constitution of California to deny civil rights to any group of people.



Speakers include:

* Lorri L. Jean, CEO, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center

* Religious and Community Leaders

</em></blockquote>


Well trooper. you have got a nice catch 22 here dont you minority vote helps Obama win. But they also shot down the prop 8 agenda.



hmm. So when you pull over a black person you can say your racial profilling not cause they are black but because they are anti gay marrage rights or something.



quite a catch 22 really?? it was close though. 52/48 thats close.



the other thing is Obama and Biden would not touch the issue with a 10 foot pole. thats deadly just ask john kerry.



I dont think the govt should try and legislate morality but it happens
 
For those who are asking, the entire Prop 8 fund raising totalled $ 74 million. Whoever said a billion...is just a tad off base. That's 74 million BOTH yes and no donations, both sides total. It was the 2nd biggest money raising event to the Presidential race.



And we're not blaming this all on the Mormons. We will also demonstrate at the Catholic Church in SF and plan to visit the African American community as well.



Keep your religion OUT of MY Constitution. (oops, sorry.....guess it's too late for that)
 
<em></em>

<em>http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3589737&mesg_id=3589737</em>



SALT LAKE CITY ? Utah's growing tourism industry and the star-studded Sundance Film Festival are being targeted for a boycott by bloggers, gay rights activists and others seeking to punish the Mormon church for its aggressive promotion of California's ban on gay marriage.



It could be a heavy price to pay. Tourism brings in $6 billion a year to Utah, with world-class skiing, the spectacular red rock country and the film festival founded by Robert Redford among the state's popular tourist draws.



"At a fundamental level, the Utah Mormons crossed the line on this one," said gay rights activist John Aravosis, an influential Washington, D.C-based blogger. "They just took marriage away from 20,000 couples and made their children bastards. You don't do that and get away with it."



... The irony in the attack on Utah's tourism industry is that it would likely do the most harm in Salt Lake City and Park City ? two of the state's most liberal cities and those with some of the smallest percentages of Mormons in the state.





Read more:http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_10927375
 
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