May 01, 2015 07:55 am
By Joe Carter
With seven words—“It is going to be an issue”—the U.S. government signaled to orthodox Christian colleges and universities that if they don’t drop their opposition to same-sex marriage they will lose their tax exempt status.
Those words came yesterday when the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Obergefell v. Hodges, a case concerning whether the Fourteenth Amendment’s must guarantee the right for same-sex couples to marry. While the primary issue is whether gay marriage will be required in every state in the union, one exchange highlighted how the upcoming ruling could affect religious liberty. Justice Samuel Alito asked Solicitor General Donald Verrilli how it would affect educational institution that opposed same-sex marriage: JUSTICE ALITO: Well, in the Bob Jones case, the Court held that a college was not entitled to tax exempt status if it opposed interracial marriage or interracial dating. So would the same apply to a university or a college if it opposed same-sex marriage? GENERAL VERRILLI: You know, I – I don’t think I can answer that question without knowing more specifics, but it’s certainly going to be an issue. I – I don’t deny that. I don’t deny that, Justice Alito. It is – it is going to be an issue. In the case of Bob Jones University (Bob Jones University v. United States (1983)), the Supreme Court ruled that the religion clauses of the First Amendment did not prohibit the IRS from revoking the tax exempt status of a religious university whose practices are contrary to a compelling government public policy. The policy at Bob Jones was indeed loathsome and contrary to Scripture, which the school later admitted when it apologized for it’s racist past. But opposition to same-sex marriage is not the same as racial animus. Yet the government, through it’s representative, has now signaled that Christians schools may soon be treated like racists and pariahs for refusing to give up the view of marriage shared by almost all people throughout history prior to the 1990s. This threat is more radical than many people realize. It’s not merely that Christian schools will have to choose between accepting federal funds and keeping their religious views about sexuality. If the choice were to follow the example of schools like Hillsdale College or New Saint Andrews College and forego taking any federal money, the decisions about what to do would be painful, but obvious. But what it being proposed is to revoke non-profit status, a move that would destroy many schools. According to the IRS, if an organization’s tax-exempt status is revoked it is no longer exempt from federal income tax and is not eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. As Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Seminary, notes, “The loss of tax-exempt status would put countless churches and religious institutions out of business, simply because the burden of property taxes and loss of charitable support would cripple their ability to sustain their mission.” In 2005, Jonathan Turley, a law professor who support gay rights, warned this would happen: The debate over same-sex marriage represents a coalescing of rights of free exercise, free speech, and expressive association. With the exception of abortion, same-sex marriage is almost unique in blurring neat divisions between these rights. Many organizations attract members with their commitment to certain fundamental matters of faith or morals, including a rejection of same-sex marriage or homosexuality. It is rather artificial to tell such groups that they can condemn homosexuality as long as they are willing to hire homosexuals as a part of that mission. It is equally disingenuous to suggest that denial of such things as tax exemption does not constitute a content-based punishment for religious views. . . . The denial of tax-exempt status presents a particularly serious threat to these organizations and puts them at a comparative advantage to groups with contrary views. When Turley originally made this claim ten years ago, many people assumed he was overstating the case and that same-sex marriage would not require people and organizations to give up their deeply held religious beliefs. But now, as we’ve seen time and time again over the past few years, the threat to religious freedom is all too real. Are supporters of same-sex marriage—including the many misguided Christians—willing to let Christian high schools, colleges, and seminaries be put out of business simply for holding a Biblical view of marriage? Sadly, I suspect they will follow what Rod Dreher calls the “law of merited impossibility”: “It’s a complete absurdity to believe that Christians will suffer a single thing from the expansion of gay rights, and boy, do they deserve what they’re going to get.” (“Radical Threat”: Federal Government to Force Christian Schools Across Nation to Close Doors, first appeared HERE, reposted with permission)
“Radical Threat”: Federal Government to Force Christian Schools Across Nation to Close Doors
By Joe Carter
With seven words—“It is going to be an issue”—the U.S. government signaled to orthodox Christian colleges and universities that if they don’t drop their opposition to same-sex marriage they will lose their tax exempt status.
Those words came yesterday when the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Obergefell v. Hodges, a case concerning whether the Fourteenth Amendment’s must guarantee the right for same-sex couples to marry. While the primary issue is whether gay marriage will be required in every state in the union, one exchange highlighted how the upcoming ruling could affect religious liberty. Justice Samuel Alito asked Solicitor General Donald Verrilli how it would affect educational institution that opposed same-sex marriage: JUSTICE ALITO: Well, in the Bob Jones case, the Court held that a college was not entitled to tax exempt status if it opposed interracial marriage or interracial dating. So would the same apply to a university or a college if it opposed same-sex marriage? GENERAL VERRILLI: You know, I – I don’t think I can answer that question without knowing more specifics, but it’s certainly going to be an issue. I – I don’t deny that. I don’t deny that, Justice Alito. It is – it is going to be an issue. In the case of Bob Jones University (Bob Jones University v. United States (1983)), the Supreme Court ruled that the religion clauses of the First Amendment did not prohibit the IRS from revoking the tax exempt status of a religious university whose practices are contrary to a compelling government public policy. The policy at Bob Jones was indeed loathsome and contrary to Scripture, which the school later admitted when it apologized for it’s racist past. But opposition to same-sex marriage is not the same as racial animus. Yet the government, through it’s representative, has now signaled that Christians schools may soon be treated like racists and pariahs for refusing to give up the view of marriage shared by almost all people throughout history prior to the 1990s. This threat is more radical than many people realize. It’s not merely that Christian schools will have to choose between accepting federal funds and keeping their religious views about sexuality. If the choice were to follow the example of schools like Hillsdale College or New Saint Andrews College and forego taking any federal money, the decisions about what to do would be painful, but obvious. But what it being proposed is to revoke non-profit status, a move that would destroy many schools. According to the IRS, if an organization’s tax-exempt status is revoked it is no longer exempt from federal income tax and is not eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. As Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Seminary, notes, “The loss of tax-exempt status would put countless churches and religious institutions out of business, simply because the burden of property taxes and loss of charitable support would cripple their ability to sustain their mission.” In 2005, Jonathan Turley, a law professor who support gay rights, warned this would happen: The debate over same-sex marriage represents a coalescing of rights of free exercise, free speech, and expressive association. With the exception of abortion, same-sex marriage is almost unique in blurring neat divisions between these rights. Many organizations attract members with their commitment to certain fundamental matters of faith or morals, including a rejection of same-sex marriage or homosexuality. It is rather artificial to tell such groups that they can condemn homosexuality as long as they are willing to hire homosexuals as a part of that mission. It is equally disingenuous to suggest that denial of such things as tax exemption does not constitute a content-based punishment for religious views. . . . The denial of tax-exempt status presents a particularly serious threat to these organizations and puts them at a comparative advantage to groups with contrary views. When Turley originally made this claim ten years ago, many people assumed he was overstating the case and that same-sex marriage would not require people and organizations to give up their deeply held religious beliefs. But now, as we’ve seen time and time again over the past few years, the threat to religious freedom is all too real. Are supporters of same-sex marriage—including the many misguided Christians—willing to let Christian high schools, colleges, and seminaries be put out of business simply for holding a Biblical view of marriage? Sadly, I suspect they will follow what Rod Dreher calls the “law of merited impossibility”: “It’s a complete absurdity to believe that Christians will suffer a single thing from the expansion of gay rights, and boy, do they deserve what they’re going to get.” (“Radical Threat”: Federal Government to Force Christian Schools Across Nation to Close Doors, first appeared HERE, reposted with permission)
“Radical Threat”: Federal Government to Force Christian Schools Across Nation to Close Doors
May 01, 2015 07:53 am
By Nicole Haas
Republican presidential contender Ted Cruz ripped President Obama on Wednesday with scathing remarks about Obama’s role in the epidemic of racial episodes that has gripped the country.
Scathing Cruz Urges Hispanics: Don’t Let Democrats Do to Latinos What They’ve Done to Blacks [+video]
By Nicole Haas
Republican presidential contender Ted Cruz ripped President Obama on Wednesday with scathing remarks about Obama’s role in the epidemic of racial episodes that has gripped the country.
Scathing Cruz Urges Hispanics: Don’t Let Democrats Do to Latinos What They’ve Done to Blacks [+video]
May 01, 2015 07:53 am
By Isaiah Narciso
Controversial Christian blogger Matt Walsh: "If Christians in this country experienced in a full year the sort of violence that Christians elsewhere in the world encounter in a day, I’m betting many of us would be screaming for a new Crusade."
Matt Walsh: U.S. Christians Should Stop Being ‘Lazy Cowards’ in Midst of Persecution
By Isaiah Narciso
Controversial Christian blogger Matt Walsh: "If Christians in this country experienced in a full year the sort of violence that Christians elsewhere in the world encounter in a day, I’m betting many of us would be screaming for a new Crusade."
Matt Walsh: U.S. Christians Should Stop Being ‘Lazy Cowards’ in Midst of Persecution
May 01, 2015 07:52 am
By CBS Baltimore
A Maryland sheriff who traveled to Baltimore to help law enforcement stop this weeks riots told 105.7 The Fan that he was stunned when officers alerted him of the orders to stand down.
Maryland Sheriff: ‘I Was Sick to My Stomach’ After Being Told to Stand Down in Helping With the Baltimore Riots
By CBS Baltimore
A Maryland sheriff who traveled to Baltimore to help law enforcement stop this weeks riots told 105.7 The Fan that he was stunned when officers alerted him of the orders to stand down.
Maryland Sheriff: ‘I Was Sick to My Stomach’ After Being Told to Stand Down in Helping With the Baltimore Riots
May 01, 2015 07:52 am
By Pam Key
The new head of the Black Panthers said on the radio this week that black Americans must be willing to kill and that they "should be applauded like the Founding Fathers of the country."
New Head of Black Panthers: Like Founding Fathers, We Will Kill for a Black Nation [+video]
By Pam Key
The new head of the Black Panthers said on the radio this week that black Americans must be willing to kill and that they "should be applauded like the Founding Fathers of the country."
New Head of Black Panthers: Like Founding Fathers, We Will Kill for a Black Nation [+video]
May 01, 2015 07:51 am
By Alex Griswold
Fox News reporter Leland Vittert got into a heated, and eventually physical, confrontation with activist and MSNBC host Al Sharpton, when the latter tried to keep him from questioning Democratic Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Watch what happened.
Watch: Al Sharpton Gets In Physical Confrontation With Fox News Reporter
By Alex Griswold
Fox News reporter Leland Vittert got into a heated, and eventually physical, confrontation with activist and MSNBC host Al Sharpton, when the latter tried to keep him from questioning Democratic Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Watch what happened.
Watch: Al Sharpton Gets In Physical Confrontation With Fox News Reporter
Maryland Lawmaker Suggests Suspending Food Stamps for Parents of Rioting Youth in Baltimore [+video]
May 01, 2015 07:51 am
By MIchael Allen
Republican state delegate Patrick McDonough of Maryland suggested the unthinkable: take away government benefits from misbehaving families.
Maryland Lawmaker Suggests Suspending Food Stamps for Parents of Rioting Youth in Baltimore [+video]
By MIchael Allen
Republican state delegate Patrick McDonough of Maryland suggested the unthinkable: take away government benefits from misbehaving families.
Maryland Lawmaker Suggests Suspending Food Stamps for Parents of Rioting Youth in Baltimore [+video]
May 01, 2015 07:51 am
By Alice Park
The long elusive "Fountain of Youth" may have been discovered with scientists reporting that they have found the key to keeping cells young.
Breakthrough: Scientists Discover the Secret to Keeping Cells Young [+video]
By Alice Park
The long elusive "Fountain of Youth" may have been discovered with scientists reporting that they have found the key to keeping cells young.
Breakthrough: Scientists Discover the Secret to Keeping Cells Young [+video]
May 01, 2015 07:51 am
By Will Stewart
A large percentage of people living in Kazakhstan's 'Village of the Damned' have a mysterious sleeping sickness with horrifying side effects. And doctors can't figure it out.
What Force Is Torturing Residents of Kazakh ‘Village of the Damned’ Hit by Mysterious ‘Sleeping Sickness’? [+video]
By Will Stewart
A large percentage of people living in Kazakhstan's 'Village of the Damned' have a mysterious sleeping sickness with horrifying side effects. And doctors can't figure it out.
What Force Is Torturing Residents of Kazakh ‘Village of the Damned’ Hit by Mysterious ‘Sleeping Sickness’? [+video]
May 01, 2015 07:50 am
By Reuters
Vietnam is expanding its naval fleet with highly advanced subs with land attack missiles that could be capable of reaching Chinese coastal cities.
“Major Provocation”: Vietnam Buys Submarine-Launched Land Attack Missiles to Deter China
By Reuters
Vietnam is expanding its naval fleet with highly advanced subs with land attack missiles that could be capable of reaching Chinese coastal cities.
“Major Provocation”: Vietnam Buys Submarine-Launched Land Attack Missiles to Deter China
May 01, 2015 07:50 am
By Corinne Gasto
In the continuing dialogue surrounding the placement of “In God We Trust” on governmental buildings, the City of Venice, Florida considered a proposal regarding the national motto.
‘In God We Trust’ Sign Shot Down by Florida City Council
By Corinne Gasto
In the continuing dialogue surrounding the placement of “In God We Trust” on governmental buildings, the City of Venice, Florida considered a proposal regarding the national motto.
‘In God We Trust’ Sign Shot Down by Florida City Council
May 01, 2015 07:50 am
By Rupam Jain Nair and Gopal Sharma
The death toll from Nepal's devastating earthquake rose steadily past 6,200 t as fresh aftershocks and the stench of rotting bodies made it hard for nervous survivors to return to their homes.
Nepal Quake Toll Passes 6,200, $2 Billion Needed for Reconstruction
By Rupam Jain Nair and Gopal Sharma
The death toll from Nepal's devastating earthquake rose steadily past 6,200 t as fresh aftershocks and the stench of rotting bodies made it hard for nervous survivors to return to their homes.
Nepal Quake Toll Passes 6,200, $2 Billion Needed for Reconstruction
May 01, 2015 07:50 am
By Bill Gertz
The Air Force is watching an out-of-control Russian satellite tumbling toward earth that could reenter the atmosphere with unpredictable results.
U.S. Air Force Watching Falling Russian Cargo Ship
By Bill Gertz
The Air Force is watching an out-of-control Russian satellite tumbling toward earth that could reenter the atmosphere with unpredictable results.
U.S. Air Force Watching Falling Russian Cargo Ship
May 01, 2015 07:49 am
By P.J. Huffstutter
More bird flu cases are showing up in the U.S., making the possible outbreak our nation's biggest. Tens of millions of poultry may be affected.
Iowa Reports More ‘Probable’ Bird Flu Cases
By P.J. Huffstutter
More bird flu cases are showing up in the U.S., making the possible outbreak our nation's biggest. Tens of millions of poultry may be affected.
Iowa Reports More ‘Probable’ Bird Flu Cases
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