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Originally posted by kirkguardian

Most churches in America have organized as "incorporated 501c3 tax-exempt religious organizations." This is a fairly recent trend that has only been going on for about fifty years. Churches were only added to section 501c3 of the tax code in 1954. We can thank Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson for that. Johnson was no ally of the church. As part of his political agenda, Johnson had it in mind to silence the church and eliminate the significant influence the church had always had on shaping "public policy."

Although Johnson proffered this as a "favor" to churches, the favor also came with strings attached (more like shackles). One need not look far to see the devastating effects 501c3 acceptance has had to the church, and the consequent restrictions placed upon any 501c3 church. 501c3 churches are prohibited from addressing, in any tangible way, the vital issues of the day. The 501c3 has had a "chilling effect" upon the free speech rights of the church.

Did the church ever need to seek permission from the government to be exempt from taxes? Were churches prior to 1954 taxable? No, churches have never been taxable. To be taxable one would first need to be under the jurisdiction and therefore under the taxing authority of the government. The First Amendment clearly places the church outside the jurisdiction of the civil government: "Congress shall make NO LAW respecting an establishment of religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

Religion cannot be free if you have to pay the government, through taxation, to exercise it. Since churches aren't taxable in the first place, why do so many of them go to the IRS and seek permission to be tax-exempt? It's illogical.

Most churches also incorporate. At law a corporation is "a creature of the State," and "the State is sovereign over all corporations." Not only are there immense legal ramifications, there are also huge theological ramifications to any church incorporating. By definition an incorporated church is a State-Church. Is that what Christ came to earth to establish?

Christian and non-Christians alike talk about a "separation of church and state." Both sides have their opinions, but in many respects, both sides are wrong. Non-Christians are often wrong because they don't understand the original intent of the Founding Fathers. However, Christians often err as well, because they fail to appreciate what the church has become. Most churches today aren't acting like they're separate from the state at all. They act like they're subordinate to the state. They act like they need the permission of the state to function.

Surely this cannot be deliberate, but must be based upon gross ignorance of the law. It also seems to be based upon, "Everyone else is incorporating and getting their 501c3. Guess we'd better do it too." Just because everyone else is doing it, does that make it right?

What is the tax law regarding churches? According to the IRS, "churches are automatically tax-exempt and tax-deductible" without ever having to apply for 501c3 status.

Not only is 501c3 status unnecessary for any church, when a church becomes a 501c3 they place themselves under the regulatory control of the IRS, and all the potential threat and intimidation that comes along with it. Why would any thinking pastor want that, when it's not at all necessary? It just doesn't make sense.

Thankfully, there's a remedy. Churches can stop "rendering unto Caesar" those things which belong exclusively to Jesus Christ. For some insight on the issue you might want to check out: http://hushmoney.org

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