should church voter guides be banned?

[freepcrusher]

I think that while they try to sound nonpartisan, that they are inherently partisan because it is implied who or who not one should vote for. FTR, I don't care if churches do this, but they should at least agree to pay taxes like everyone else.

[Insula Dei]

This is a thing? You learn something new/awful every day.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Everyone at those churches knows who you're supposed to vote for anyways.  Those who attend but like to think for themselves when it comes to politics know those things are worthless.

[© tweed]

no but they should be required to use union labor to print them.

[Vote UKIP!]

No.

In fact, I believe it's inherently wrong to remove a church's tax-free status for endorsing a candidate.

[Spanish Moss]

No.

In fact, I believe it's inherently wrong to remove a church's tax-free status for endorsing a candidate.

I'm the opposite.  I believe it's inherently wrong for a church to have a tax-free status.  And I'm no atheist.

[TJ in Oregon]

No.

In fact, I believe it's inherently wrong to remove a church's tax-free status for endorsing a candidate.

I'm the opposite.  I believe it's inherently wrong for a church to have a tax-free status.  And I'm no atheist.

Does that view extend to all non-profits or just churches?

[Spanish Moss]

No.

In fact, I believe it's inherently wrong to remove a church's tax-free status for endorsing a candidate.

I'm the opposite.  I believe it's inherently wrong for a church to have a tax-free status.  And I'm no atheist.

Does that view extend to all non-profits or just churches?

Depends on the non-profit.

[TJ in Oregon]

No.

In fact, I believe it's inherently wrong to remove a church's tax-free status for endorsing a candidate.

I'm the opposite.  I believe it's inherently wrong for a church to have a tax-free status.  And I'm no atheist.

Does that view extend to all non-profits or just churches?

Depends on the non-profit.

What should the criteria be? Does it have to be a charitable organization to be tax-exempt? Or just anything that serves the "public good" as you see it? What about private schools or universities? Should they have to pay taxes?

[minionofmidas]

Churches that publish them should probably lose their tax-free status.

[J. J.]

No.  I think it is fine to say:  "Here is our institutions view on these issues.  Here are the candidates views on these issues."

[John Dibble]

No, but if said guides obviously endorse candidates they should lose their tax-exempt status. If it's informational only then they aren't a problem.

[Zioneer]

No.

In fact, I believe it's inherently wrong to remove a church's tax-free status for endorsing a candidate.

Seriously? Why should a church get to meddle in politics that much?

[DC Al Fine]

No, but they're awful things. I have no problem with a church publishing a guide of candidates positions on issues relevant to the particular church, but endorsing is out of line. This goes other groups like the NRA or Greenpeace as well.

[Spanish Moss]

No.

In fact, I believe it's inherently wrong to remove a church's tax-free status for endorsing a candidate.

I'm the opposite.  I believe it's inherently wrong for a church to have a tax-free status.  And I'm no atheist.

Does that view extend to all non-profits or just churches?

Depends on the non-profit.

What should the criteria be? Does it have to be a charitable organization to be tax-exempt? Or just anything that serves the "public good" as you see it? What about private schools or universities? Should they have to pay taxes?

I believe it should be a charitable organization, with only the intention of raising money to use that entirety of money (outside of operating/renting physical locations needed for that form of charity) goes directly toward providing charity.  Private schools and universities, as well as private hospitals (like the ones where I live that charge absurd prices for overhead costs and is essentially a private business that doesn't pay taxes, which I believe should be regulated) should not be tax exempt.

Were this the case, there'd be a whole lot more money being brought in.  And none of these should be able to get engaged in politics while retaining tax exempt status.