this post was submitted on 04 Nov 2024
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Summary

Republican congressional candidate Mayra Flores, backed by Trump, has faced criticism for campaigning at church-hosted events, where banners and messaging appear partisan. Events at multiple churches featured Flores alongside religious figures supporting her, raising questions about potential violations of federal tax regulations that prohibit political campaigning in tax-exempt religious spaces.

Community members, including congregants, expressed concern over the blending of politics and religion, viewing it as a misuse of faith to sway voters.

Democratic representative Vicente Gonzalez, Flores’ opponent, has received complaints from constituents about the events and has emphasized the importance of maintaining a non-partisan atmosphere in churches.

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[–] [email protected] 82 points 1 week ago

Potential?

That is just blatantly illegal.

But it won't matter.

[–] [email protected] 36 points 1 week ago (2 children)

I'd love for some enterprising IRS auditor to find out what churches she appeared in, then send each of them an audit notice letter. They've lost their IRS tax exemption.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 1 week ago (1 children)

This could be any person. Show up to your local church and report them to the IRS if they endorse any candidate.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Can I report the entire state of Utah? The Mormons shill for conservatives all the time

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago

Added question can we remove Utah, I dont mean revoke statehood I mean make the entire fucken state into past tense.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago

i'd love for agents to go undercover to regular services before major elections and initiatives.

[–] [email protected] 34 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Are those churches tax-exempt? Well, if they do this, they shouldn't. Time for the IRS to earn some tax dollars!

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The Churches are hoping they can challenge this in court eventually and the IRS is fully aware of this fact. They only go after the most extreme violations.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago

If they can set precedences with some churches, it will be easier to go after the rest.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 week ago

I'm Christian and believe strongly in the separation of church and state because it makes better governments and better churches. I also believe that any entity paying taxes should have some level of input on the political process. Between that and the legitimate non-profit status of most churches, I strongly support legitimate religious institutions being exempt from taxes in the same way I support the food bank and non-profit cultural centers being tax exempt.

But churches that choose to participate directly in the political process are not holding up their end of the bargain. They're making church and politics both worse, and their tax-exempt status should absolutely be revoked.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I'm sure the government will get right on it. 🙄

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 week ago (1 children)

There isn’t much of one in Texas.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I think this particular issue is a fed one. At least as far as tax exempt status goes. Not sure there's any other issue they're running afowl of.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 1 week ago

One more rich person in the US doing illegal things without consequences.

The quiet part is now the loud part, and it doesn't matter at all.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 week ago

appear partisan.

No, it's as partisan as water is wet. Banners aside, it's hosting a candidate seeking office in a partisan race

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 week ago

is it a legal violation if no jury is around to hear it?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week ago

Whose Law is it Anyway?

Where the rules are made up and crimes don't matter.