Minnesota's marriage amendment fight funded by Catholics across U.S.

[adinasauce]

Catholic parishes and affiliated groups around the country are pouring money into Minnesota's fight to pass a Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

From the $3,000 sent by Catholics in Baton Rouge, La., to the $500 from the Diocese of Austin, Texas, more than two dozen dioceses and archdioceses have dug deep for the local effort. The

Comments

[pitbullgirl65]

"Perhaps most disturbing is the number of local parishes redirecting the hard-earned dollars of its members in the name of discrimination."Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign,
I'm not certain what he was trying to say here: is he worried about church members being ripped off? Or the way their money is being used to fund hate?
And: why doesn't the IRS go after these groups? Is it because they are considered politically a third rail?

[redstar826]

I think his point is that many Catholics give to their church because they want to support activities at their local parish, not because they support these sorts of activities.

Is it actually illegal for churches to back ballot initiatives? I was under the impression that endorsing candidates was forbidden but getting involved in ballot questions was not

[redstar826]

eta-I found this: Are religious organizations permitted to participate in referenda, constitutional
amendments and similar ballot initiatives?
Yes. Referenda, constitutional amendments and similar ballot initiatives are classified as lobbying
activities for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code.18 As such, they are subject to the insubstantial
lobbying limitation, not the political campaign intervention prohibition.

What are the consequences if a religious organization engages in excessive
lobbying?
If a religious organization’s lobbying activities constitute more than an insubstantial part of its total
activities, the organization’s section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status may be revoked, which means that
its income for the year would become subject to income tax

source (found on page 6)

[maladaptive]

Yeah, this. My grandmother gives to the local church for things like the local festival for the poor, and to a women's shelter group. Catholic churches are still huge in "getting shit down for the needy" sector. Which makes it even more cruel when they divert funds to this stuff.

[stormqueen280]

Yeah, a number of people who donate to their churches to fund things like repairs in the church building, parties for children, flowers, charity work, shelters... sad to see money used to screw up with people instead of help them.

[maladaptive]

That too. Tithes (though not enforced by the church) are mostly for the church's upkeep, not political activism.