Follow on Twitter
Subscribe by RSS
VIDEO: Could Gay Marriage Erode Non-Profit Tax-Exempt Status?
On March 26, 2007, Brian Brown, Executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut, testified before the judiciary committee of the state legislature in regard to raised House Bill 7395: An Act Concerning Marriage Equality.
In this video, Brown argues that even if churches are not required to perform the ceremonies, legalizing same-sex marriage might lead to the erosion tax exempt status for churches and institutions that fail to recognize gay marriage because it will be viewed as discrimination.
Brown's arguments could easily translate to California where the State Supreme Court recently overturned a ballot initiative that outlawed gay marriage and where a constitutional amendment prohibiting gay marriage is on target for November.
So what do you think? Is Brown's argument realistic or does it simply play on existing fears?
Video by AirMaria.com
7 Comments
Just as in the past hate spewing "Christians" are making absurd arguments to try to opress those with whom they disagree. These same arguments were made to support slavery and to discriminate against those who are difference.
The funny thing is that there is not one passage in the Bible, WHEN TAKEN IN CONTEXT IN THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE, that supports discrimination and hate spewed by those who would like to use the laws to foist their morality, or lack thereof, on the people. There is not one verse in the Bible that says anything about a committed, monogamous safe sex relationship.
Furthermore I have no interest in what others are doing behind closed doors as long as it is an act between two consenting adults. Why do those whom call themselves Christians. I use the "" marks around Christians in this commentary as none of those who spew hate and ignorance are Christians in the true sense of the word. These bigots are as far from "Christ Like" as possible.
Just as in the past hate spewing "Christians" are making absurd arguments to try to opress those with whom they disagree. These same arguments were made to support slavery and to discriminate against those who are difference.
The funny thing is that there is not one passage in the Bible, WHEN TAKEN IN CONTEXT IN THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE, that supports discrimination and hate spewed by those who would like to use the laws to foist their morality, or lack thereof, on the people. There is not one verse in the Bible that says anything about a committed, monogamous safe sex relationship.
Furthermore I have no interest in what others are doing behind closed doors as long as it is an act between two consenting adults. Why do those whom call themselves Christians. I use the "" marks around Christians in this commentary as none of those who spew hate and ignorance are Christians in the true sense of the word. These bigots are as far from "Christ Like" as possible.
Well… let's just look at this!
Do you know of any church or pastor that by law is forced to marry anyone! So far in our land and I'm betting in any other too, the couple to be married may request certain pastors to perform the service. They may ask if the church is available. But what law is there standing now that requires anyone that demands a service gets one?
Pastors have been known to turn people down for all sorts of reasons. Catholic priest won't perform if one of the parties is divorced. Has this brought about the law of the land changing their tax status?
I know from the past that if the couple were going to be unequally yoked then SDA pastors refused to perform the service. That may still be true. Maybe they would do it in their office but not in the church. Did that send folks running to their lawyers ready to sue or the tax man denying the tax status that churches have been given.
What this smacks of is an agenda to frighten folks.
There are some mega churches out there and TV preachers that are raking in huge amounts of money. Maybe it is actually time for churches that make a above a certain amount of money to have to pay a "fair" share. Especially if they are not doing any social welfare service to the community.
Well… let's just look at this!
Do you know of any church or pastor that by law is forced to marry anyone! So far in our land and I'm betting in any other too, the couple to be married may request certain pastors to perform the service. They may ask if the church is available. But what law is there standing now that requires anyone that demands a service gets one?
Pastors have been known to turn people down for all sorts of reasons. Catholic priest won't perform if one of the parties is divorced. Has this brought about the law of the land changing their tax status?
I know from the past that if the couple were going to be unequally yoked then SDA pastors refused to perform the service. That may still be true. Maybe they would do it in their office but not in the church. Did that send folks running to their lawyers ready to sue or the tax man denying the tax status that churches have been given.
What this smacks of is an agenda to frighten folks.
There are some mega churches out there and TV preachers that are raking in huge amounts of money. Maybe it is actually time for churches that make a above a certain amount of money to have to pay a "fair" share. Especially if they are not doing any social welfare service to the community.
It's already happening in Canada
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/jun/05061301.html
It's already happening in Canada
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/jun/05061301.html