Page updated 24 September 2018

Page Suggestions: Occult Influences, Tithing, the prosperity gospel, the preacher's role, Wolves in Sheep's Clothing

Where Are the Christians?

The Silent Church

Page 2

Where is the spirit of those men today? We have grown so complacent that we can't even speak up - much less put our lives on the line for the truth! Evil ultimately is the work of the devil. He is described in the Bible as the "wicked one," poneros (Matthew 13:19When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it] not, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.Matthew 13 verse 19). He is the one that tempted the first couple and continues to do so today. Satan's goal is to bring hardship, pain, and sorrow on God's creation, namely man.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we must understand that we cannot negotiate, moderate nor tolerate evil. It must be eliminated. But, Christians are asleep or apathetic. We are children of the Most High God! We are separate, special and chosen. We must walk with an eternal mindset - keeping our eyes upon God at all times. Keeping our minds upon His will, walking in and aligning ourselves with His will for our lives. These are not the days to compromise, to follow those who teach anything different than what God's Word tells us.

Today's "church" is an extension of the federal government. Why? Because they look to the government for favor instead of God. That is a provocative observation, some might think. It is true. Oh, but there is a price to pay for this favor. These churches are "tax-exempt" because they want to be able to get "tax breaks" as non-profit organizations and also give their members/donors a tax credit. Is this Biblical? Since the Internal Revenue Service will become an integral part of our lives, (thanks to Obamacare), let us look at how the government controls churches today, shall we?

Most churches in America have organized as "501(c)(3) 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 501(c)(3) 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." And, this effort has been gloriously successful.

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 501(c)(3)acceptance has had to the church, and the consequent restrictions placed upon any 501(c)(3) church. 501(c)(3) 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. LBJ was a shrewd and cunning politician who seemed to well-appreciate how easily many of the clergy would sell out.

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, a church 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 occurs out of:

• Ignorance ("We didn't know any better")
• Bandwagon logic ("Everyone else is doing it")
• Professional advice (many attorneys and CPAs recommend it)

Does the law require, or even encourage, a church to organize as a 501(c)(3)? To answer that question let's turn to what the IRS itself has to say.

Churches Need Not Apply

In order to be considered for tax-exempt status by the IRS, an organization must fill out and submit IRS Form 1023 and 1024. However, note what the IRS says regarding churches and church ministries, in Publication 557:

Some organizations are not required to file Form 1023. These include:

Churches, interchurch organizations of local units of a church, conventions or associations of churches, or integrated auxiliaries of a church, such as a men's or women's organization, religious school, mission society, or youth group. These organizations are exempt automatically if they meet the requirements of Section 501(c)(3).

Churches Are "Automatically Tax-Exempt"

According to IRS Code § 508(c)(1)(A):

Special rules with respect to section 501(c)(3) organizations.

This is referred to as the "mandatory exception" rule. Thus, we see from the IRS' own publications, and the tax code, that it is completely unnecessary for any church to apply for tax-exempt status. In the IRS' own words a church "is automatically tax-exempt."

Churches Are "Automatically Tax-Deductible"

And what about tax-deductibility? Doesn't a church still need to become a 501(c)(3 )so that contributions to it can be taken as a tax deduction? The answer is no! According to IRS Publication 526:

Organizations That Qualify To Receive Deductible Contributions

You can deduct your contributions only if you make them to a qualified organization. To become a qualified organization, most organizations other than churches and governments, as described below, must apply to the IRS.

In the IRS' own words a church "is automatically tax-deductible."