They should not even be allowed to encourage people to vote. Religion and Government need to be kept completely separate.

Sorry, couldn't resist. Yep, the Catholic church (as an example) sure could part with a few bucks - maybe they can put the PopeMobile on ebay for starters!

if church's were not allowed to take political positions, the Gay rights and abortion debates would look very very different

Do you wish to exclude all of them? Do you wish to exclude all non-profit organizations from that tax exempt status and it's rules?

That provide charitable services should be tax exempt.

If they do they should face taxation just like the rest of us. Sorry for such a harsh line in the sand, but they are proving they cannot abide by the rules and are trying to establish a theocracy in this country.

It is one thing to have religious belief yourself, but trying to force feed it to an entire country is a whole other matter, which is what the right wing fundies, etc have been trying to do these past several years.

They were given an inch and now they are trying to take a mile.

I realize not all religions are guilty of this but the ones that are should definitely be taxed, and the rules keeping church and state separate should be strictly enforced.

Are you suggesting that churches should be excluded from that status while other non-profits continue to have it?

or violate any other federal laws such as the ones against discrimination should loose tax exempt status. Not for profits are not allowed to do so. If they can't follow the rules of the federal government then they shouldn't take money from the federal government.

They were given the guidelines when they were granted their tax exempt status. It is a privilege not a right. If they no longer wish to abide by the rules, then they should loose the privilege. Plain and simple,no exceptions.

Religious institutions should be tax exempt only for the actual sanctuary and/teaching space. Anything which is money making (hospitals, schools, real estate, etc.. should pay property taxes at least.

Should the rules be changed for all non-profits or just for churches?

essentially told everyone to take a chill pill. He said for anyone to say a living individual was going to lead the way, we are reminded that that job has been taken.

That was pretty much it and it landed well w/ our very diverse (politically) congregation.