The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Tax Exemption and Churches

Not applying for a tax exempt status should NOT be equated with the radical views of the Anabaptists. The FACT is, that if a Church accepts a tax exempt status the State DOES have the right to regulate what the Church can say and/or do. One Sportsmans Club we belonged to was a 501 C3 non-profit organization and the State made it very clear what things were allowed and not allowed. One of the restrictions was that the Club was prohibited from endorsing and/or promoting any political candidate. As you are very aware, Canada puts very strict prohibitions on what is allowed speech and what is alleged hate speech. Pastors have been persecuted and even arrested for speaking out on social issues, regardless of their tax exemption status.

Again, this entire issue boils down to a matter of finances. The two salient questions are undeniably:
1. Is the Church resting solely upon God's sovereign providence for its wellbeing? Are the real 'means' the tithes, offerings and gifts given vs. depending on a hostile government to render aid with strings attached?
2. Are the members and friends of the Church financially supporting the Church out of love for Christ and the work the Church is doing in His name? Or, do they have ulterior motives, e.g., getting a tax break for themselves which if not available they would no longer give financial support?

Can you imagine any of the Apostles submitting an application to Rome for tax exempt status? Can you image any of the myriad new churches formed during the first century petitioning their respective governments for a tax exempt status? Why not?

The government's main responsibility is to provide protection of its citizens regardless of their state in life and to render just punishment to evildoers. The Church should not be just another member of the political social network, especially in regard to how the Church wills to use it's pulpit and resources for the good of the local community or even abroad.