DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Orthodox churches in the USA and 501c3 status

**papadopul** · 05-26-2011, 10:44 AM

Herman wrote "Is there a problem with this or do you simply have a problem with being under the authority of a government?"

No, I have no problem being a US citizen.

I simply believe in the separation of church and state. I had no idea that the Orthodox Church had not fully come to grips with this concept as Kyrill states.

There are churches that do not seek 501c3 status and have no problems with the IRS or the state.

The Founding Fathers assured that the Church would always be separate from the state and thus not regulated nor controlled by it. Churches are inherently exempt from IRA control or regulation. In a word, the Church does not need the permission nor approval of the United States Government to exist or operate in a tax deductible status.

The First Amendment provided for religious liberty. Christians in America have the opportunity to keep Godâ€™s church pure and undefiled and to perform the great commission without restrictions from state or federal governments.

Even though the civil government made this offer, churches did not have to accept it. Since the ratification of the First Amendment, the federal government has never forced a church to incorporate or get 501(c)(3) status. The Supreme Court still understands that the state cannot legally interfere with a church who does not willingly submit itself to the state.

For Example:

"I am not the only IRS employee whoâ€™s wondered why churches go to the government and seek permission to be exempted from a tax they didnâ€™t owe to begin with, and to seek a tax deductible status that theyâ€™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 donâ€™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)

"It is impossible to have religious freedom in any nation where churches are licensed to the government. " George Hansen, Member of Congress (ret.)

05-26-2011, 10:44 AM	#6
papadopul Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 466 Senior Member	Herman wrote "Is there a problem with this or do you simply have a problem with being under the authority of a government?" No, I have no problem being a US citizen. I simply believe in the separation of church and state. I had no idea that the Orthodox Church had not fully come to grips with this concept as Kyrill states. There are churches that do not seek 501c3 status and have no problems with the IRS or the state. The Founding Fathers assured that the Church would always be separate from the state and thus not regulated nor controlled by it. Churches are inherently exempt from IRA control or regulation. In a word, the Church does not need the permission nor approval of the United States Government to exist or operate in a tax deductible status. The First Amendment provided for religious liberty. Christians in America have the opportunity to keep Godâ€™s church pure and undefiled and to perform the great commission without restrictions from state or federal governments. Even though the civil government made this offer, churches did not have to accept it. Since the ratification of the First Amendment, the federal government has never forced a church to incorporate or get 501(c)(3) status. The Supreme Court still understands that the state cannot legally interfere with a church who does not willingly submit itself to the state. For Example: "I am not the only IRS employee whoâ€™s wondered why churches go to the government and seek permission to be exempted from a tax they didnâ€™t owe to begin with, and to seek a tax deductible status that theyâ€™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 donâ€™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) "It is impossible to have religious freedom in any nation where churches are licensed to the government. " George Hansen, Member of Congress (ret.)
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