Church, meet State.
The Arizona Republic offers this editorial on a duo of bills in the House that would alter the ability of churches to participate politically without losing their tax-exempt status. The first (and perennial) bill, H.R. 235, would allow churches to make both endorsements of and donations to political candidates without endangering their tax-exempt status. The bill would not extend the same courtesy to non-religious non-profits. The bill made its bi-annual debut in January 2003, and hasn't moved since.
However, a provision within H.R. 4520, the corporate tax bill, would provide for limits and penalties for churches who lobby the federal government or participate in political campaigns. While that sounds like a good thing, the provision actually provides churches with a strike system -- the legislation would reportedly allow them a certain number of violations before their tax exemption would be revoked. Under the existing law, churches are prohibited from engaging in political activities, but no "warning" system exists for violations, only the automatic loss of their tax-exempt status.
The renewed attention to this issue is partly the result of the Vatican's call to deny communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion rights - a foray into politics that drew the attention of Catholic Democrats last month. Without a doubt, either bill would invigorate the President's re-election campaign and his conservative base.
The separation of church and state can only truly exist in a vacuum. There will always be an influence, even if it isn't overt. However, codifying a two, three, or four-strikes-you're-out system has the effect of handing churches a pack of free passes to violate the terms of their exemption.
Now, I'm sure any good separation-minded church would never think of using those passes. Unless, of course, some religiously-charged issue were to find its way into the Presidential campaign. It's a good thing we don't. have. any. of. those.
However, a provision within H.R. 4520, the corporate tax bill, would provide for limits and penalties for churches who lobby the federal government or participate in political campaigns. While that sounds like a good thing, the provision actually provides churches with a strike system -- the legislation would reportedly allow them a certain number of violations before their tax exemption would be revoked. Under the existing law, churches are prohibited from engaging in political activities, but no "warning" system exists for violations, only the automatic loss of their tax-exempt status.
The renewed attention to this issue is partly the result of the Vatican's call to deny communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion rights - a foray into politics that drew the attention of Catholic Democrats last month. Without a doubt, either bill would invigorate the President's re-election campaign and his conservative base.
The separation of church and state can only truly exist in a vacuum. There will always be an influence, even if it isn't overt. However, codifying a two, three, or four-strikes-you're-out system has the effect of handing churches a pack of free passes to violate the terms of their exemption.
Now, I'm sure any good separation-minded church would never think of using those passes. Unless, of course, some religiously-charged issue were to find its way into the Presidential campaign. It's a good thing we don't. have. any. of. those.
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