Response from Senator Harry Reid's Office About Tax Exemptions for Dangerous Cults

by ABibleStudent 18 Replies latest members politics

• 

  ABibleStudent

  About 5 months ago, I sent emails to US Senators and Representatives as I wrote about in http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/members/politics/215126/1/Ive-Been-Sooo-Bad-Hopefully-Something-Good-will-Happen. I received a response from Senator Harry Reid's office about my email to him today (see email without my identifying information below). The email was not very positive about what I wrote, but it wasn't negative either. I feel that my next email(s) should try to differentiate between dangerous cults and religions and show how dangerous cults do not benefit society. It would help if other JWN members would write about how the WTBTS has helped them to educate senators and representatives about how dangerous cults are and that the US government is involuntarily helping those cults to prey on unsuspecting citizens.

  Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

  Robert

  January 27, 2012 Mr. Robert Dear Robert: Thank you for your thoughtful letter regarding the tax exemption status of certain religious institutions. I appreciate hearing from you. As you know, non-profit organizations such as social welfare organizations, unions, and trade associations are exempt from federal income tax under the Internal Revenue Code pending adherence to specific rules and regulations. These requirements are outlined in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code and enforced by the Internal Revenue Service. As you may know, churches are automatically recognized as tax exempt under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) 501(c)(3). As a 501(c)(3) organization, churches must adhere to IRS guidelines to maintain their non-profit status. Among other guidelines, 501(c)(3) organizations may not intervene in political campaigns, nor may a substantial part of their activity attempt to influence legislation. Like countless other non-profit organizations, churches are granted tax exemption under the philosophy that they serve the public good, and often provide needed assistance in their communities in the form of charitable works and donations. Also, some fear that taxing religious institutions may encroach upon religious freedoms. I understand that this is a complicated issue and again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. I will certainly keep your views in mind as we look toward the 112 th session of Congress. Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. For more information about my work for Nevada, my role in the United States Senate Leadership, or to subscribe to regular e-mail updates on the issues that interest you, please visit my Web site at http://reid.senate.gov. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. My best wishes to you. Sincerely, A HARRY REID United States Senator Nevada HR:BK
• 

  ziddina

  I thoroughly agree with you, ABibleStudent, that this is an area that is LONG overdue for an overhaul.

  You are to be highly commended for taking this first, very important step.

  However, the issue will be, how to distinguish a dangerous cult from a benign religion?

  The United States governments have obviously been afraid to involve themselves in such a potentially heated debate, probably fearing that the power of certain religious extremists [like Westboro Baptist Church] could negatively affect elections and other government systems.

  As a result, the U.S. has done nothing.

  But tragedies like Jonestown, Waco, Heaven's Gate, and others, show the bloody result of such fearful apathy on the part of the U.S. Government.

  Perhaps pressure could be applied. I am sorrowfully convinced, however, that it will take another tragedy of monstrous proportions AND extreme grass-roots pressure to prompt the U.S. Government to follow the examples of France, Canada, the U.K., and other forward-thinking governments.

  I don't know whether getting this started in an election year would be effective, either.

  Best results to your idea, at any rate.
• 

  thinking_1

  Ok, this reminds me of something I thought of late one night.

  I wrote up a "Law" or something I think would be a benificial piece of legislation.

  here's what I wrote: "Idea to have law passed requiring all religious, self improvement etc. orginazations to regularly draw attention to information resources about cult abuse. e.g. short letters or statements read, displaying printed material. Also have regular visits to group meetings/activities to see this being done properly. This could be done by volunteers as well as government or law enforcement officials. Information either orally or in print should include statements about importance of the information being given regularly, not just when being checked on. Also, it should be strongly emphasized that attempts to downplay, discourage, or demonize these statements and information sources would be a "red flag" or indication of potentially dangerous or damaging groups. These warnings should be read to all members of a group regularly and also be monitered by representatives of the a cult awareness organization.

  Maybe tax-exempt or religious status could be made contingent on complying fully with these requirements, and stiff penalties for failing to comply once granted this priveledge
• 

  Band on the Run

  You are to be commended for taking the action. I am surprised by Reid's letter. In all my years of writing to Congress, only one did I receive a substantive reply. Regardless, your letters were counted as favoring removal of tax exemption. When I write to my reps, I often get back letters that have nothing to do with what I wrote. I might write about foreign policy and the return letter will go into detail about the banking system. Reid has great staff members and a good system in place.

  Personally, I don't think this avenue will be productive b/c of the sacredness for religion in our national myth. There are more pro-religious voters. The WT has deep pockets (mucho money) to pay for lobbyists. I wonder how many people write in concerning tax exemption. If you think of all the agnostics and atheists in this country, it could be a formidable number.

  I want JWs so discredited that it withers away.

  Do European countries exempt religions?

  The idea that religons are inherently good is such a foolish one. Much depends on the particular religion. One area of concern is federal funding of religious social welfare organizations, which is now rampant and a significant departure from Sup. Ct. jurisprudence. Separation of church and state was trampled upon. The argument was that the faith component in these programs produced better results than secular orgs. Not one shred of objective evidence was produced to prove this argument. Merely stating it was adequate to have legislation passed and the Sup Ct to alter its separation of church and state doctrine. What proof is their that tax exempt status for religion truly benefits the public good. There can be none.
• 

  Sulla

  I suppose the irony of sending your letter to Harry Reid is lost on you?
• 

  Band on the Run

  IS Reid a Mormon? I thought they were not allowed to be Dems.
• 

  Sulla

  I know, right? But he is most def LDS:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmioEbjIOic
• 

  ABibleStudent

  Thank you Band on the Run and Sulla for your comments. My reply to Harry Reid's letter is below and I tried to seperate dangerous cults from religion and specifically did not mention Mormons.

  It would be very helpful if other JWN members would write their representatives about changing tax exempt codes. I know that this is an election year and it may appear to be a waste of time, but I feel that it will take more than one year to get lawmakers to realize that the bar must be raised for an organization to obtain tax exempt status.

  Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

  Robert

  Honorable Harry Reid:

  Thank you for your thoughtful and relevant reply that was dated January 27, 2012 to my request for you to support closing loopholes in the tax codes that allow dangerous cults to benefit from not paying taxes while harming Americans.

  I feel that the issue(s) is not complex and the solution of updating the tax code is far easier than creating new laws that might infringe on 1st Amendment rights. Would it take another Jonestown massacre or Waco, Texas assault for the United States legislature to enact legislation to prevent dangerous cults from harming Americans?

  The IRS is not currently following the law, or does not have sufficient tools to monitor tax exempt organizations to filter out dangerous cults from bona fide charitable organizations. According to the IRS, the term charitable includes “lessening the burdens of government; lessening neighborhood tensions; eliminating prejudice and discrimination; defending human and civil rights secured by law”.

  I can prove beyond a shadow of doubt that dangerous cults such as the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society WB&TS do promote discrimination and prejudice and do cause harm to Americans. The greatest proof is to read the WB&TS’s literature where it describes former Jehovah Witnesses as mentally diseased in its July 15, 2011 Watchtower (Study Edition) and reading other issues.

  Please contact me if you would like to discuss simply changes to the tax codes to provide more powerful tools to the IRS to filter out dangerous cults from bona fide religions. The changes would either force dangerous cults to stop forcing members to shun family and friends, or increase tax revenues for the United States Treasury. I feel very strongly about this issue and plan on writing other lawmakers to educate them about dangerous cults.
  
  Thanks you in advance for reading my requests.

  Sincerely,
  Robert
• 

  Band on the Run

  Excellent letter. Are you a lawyer? You focus on Reid's concerns rather than a rant. Impressive.
• 

  ABibleStudent

  Band on the Run - Excellent letter. Are you a lawyer? You focus on Reid's concerns rather than a rant. Impressive.

  Hi Band on the Run, Nope, I'm worse: an engineer with an attitude!! LOL Thanks for your comments.

  Have a Great Day,

  Robert