Thread: Election Day Query

I will say that in my particular church (not the denomination as a whole) I have never heard anyone speak for against a specific ballot measure or candidate. My experience (limited as it is) is similar, which may be why i'm so...bothered? weirded out? confused?...by the issue. I went to a church where one of the basic tenets was to question, analyze and decide things for yourself, which i know is not the norm for some other churchgoers....

I went to a church where one of the basic tenets was to question, analyze and decide things for yourself, Yeah this in part (at least 3 pastors have said to me point blank "do not believe anything just because I say it, make sure you can find it in scripture yourself") but mostly it is a very specific understanding of the purpose of church - and that purpose is not political. It is spiritual and eternal and completely...

This year, Washington State voters have on the ballot one Referendum 71, aka the "Everything But Marriage" law: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Referendum_71 So, putting aside my opinions on the issue, i've been wondering about tax-exempt non-profits and their roles in politics. I haven't heard any updates on the allegations against the LDS Church regarding last year's Prop 8 vote in California but when i read an...

But it's the money talking - i'm not concerned about being denied membership to a place because of political views. I'm concerned about organizations having it both ways: not paying taxes AND unduly influencing ballot measures. You're either tax-exempt or you're a PAC - either/or not both. I think the point is that ALL a PAC does is campaign and raise money for a political reason. Churches, on the other hand, exist...

I have been wondering this myself for a while, because I belong to a church that can be thought of as rather active in certain political arenas. I asked our director of special affairs, who is responsible for making sure we do keep our tax exempt status, about this and here is an excerpt from his response: "There are three types of public policy advocacy: "Direct Lobbying – attempts to influence a legislator directly to...