prop8: LDS funding + protest tonight
http://lds501c3.wordpress.com/
In pushing its members in California to vote yes on Proposition 8, and in pushing its members everywhere to contribute time and money to the campaign against relationship equality in our state, the Mormon church (LDS) has violated the terms of its federal tax-exempt status. Section 501(c)(3) of US Code Title 26 provides such status to entities “…organized and operated exclusively for religious… no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation…” That it was in violation of this requirement could not be clearer, and it was exactly the sort of violation this section of the law was intended to protect against. Churches cannot become PACs, in whole or in part, and expect to still be treated as nothing more than churches in the eyes of the law.
A blog has been set up at lds501c3.wordpress.com with further details and instructions on how you can register a formal complaint with the IRS, including a partially pre-filled form to take some of the pain out of the process. I encourage all of my readers to do so. This isn’t simply about revenge (if you want to be unkind) or justice (as is my view of it), but about upholding the principle of separation between church and state and preventing the unfettered setting of a very dangerous precedent.
more info on the legalese here.
you can also CLICK HERE AND SIGN THIS PETITION
there is a protest march in downtown SF tonight @ 5:30. these days, i’m generally not one to take to the streets to protest, but i think in this case, i might have to shuck the distaste for crowds and join the masses.
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