501(c)3 and the Prostitution of American Churches

Boy, this is a difficult article to write. It's difficult because literally every Christian I know attends a 501C3 church, so I realize that writing this article will offend many. However, we are not (as Christians) to be concerned with offending the many at the price of offending God. Nevertheless, I know that I am walking into volatile territory.

What is a 501C(3) church?

The term 501C3 means that as a church you sign up for a tax exemption status. That tax exemption status, however, comes with strings or should I say muzzles. In order to maintain a tax exemption status the church must not violate terms of their non-profit contract with the government by involving itself in politics. It may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates. In other words, in exchange for keeping your mouth shut regarding anything political, the church gets a tax exemption or hush-money! Nice huh! Sounds like compromise to me, sounds like Spiritual Prostitution if you ask me! And that's exactly what it is!

Have you ever wondered why pastors don't preach against the atrocities of the government? Have you ever wondered why your pastor avoids talking about political issues or even the wholesale slaughter of millions of unborn babies? Maybe you haven't noticed? I have. They are afraid of getting their meal ticket taken away, they are more afraid of that then they are of God!

Is God Political?

Now, you might say well God isn't really political is he? Many Christians think politics is a dirty business (and it is) but because of this they think that it is more Christian to be apolitical, to be above all that. Well, there are many examples in the bible of prophets and saints standing up for righteousness against unrighteous leaders and practices, standing up for righteousness and against unrighteous is a political act, some were even killed for their trouble. Let's take a look at some examples:

John the Baptist stood up to Herod for sleeping with his brothers wife..and what did he get for his efforts? Was he successful? No, he got his head chopped off. I can't tell you how many times Christians have said to me what good is resisting the New World Order, it's better to do good works and read your Bible and in other words hide your head in the sand and keep your mouth shut. Well John the Baptist didn't shut up, he didn't hide his head in the sand and he wasn't even successful but he did it because he was a follower of God and God loves courage and truth. God is against the cowardly and he is against injustice and lies, when you look the other way in the face of injustice, in the face of lies and evil do you think you are following God!

Elijah was another man who bucked the system. He fought spiritually as well as practically against Ahab and Jezebel, the King and Queen.

Moreover, even Jesus' actions were considered radical and dangerous to the political elite. Both the Jews and the Gentiles were threatened politically by him. It's one of the main reasons that they crucified him.

Joh 11:47-51

Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;

Joh 19:12-13

And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

Make no mistake..EVERYTHING IS POLITICAL!

Now I realize that there are a lot of fine churches and organizations that have 501C3 exemptions and many of them have never thought twice about it. However, now is the time to start thinking about withdrawing from this exemption. Our country and our world are becoming increasingly evil; at some point (and I would argue that we have now arrived at that point) the churches and Christian organizations will have to stand up against this onslaught of evil or we will be participating in it by acquiescing and appeasing evil, for to stand silent in the face of injustice is to commit injustice.

During World War II Hitler sought out the religious leaders, and many were more than willing to go along with him. At first there were just minor infractions but as the atrocities grew the church (for the most part) stood silent. We now condemn those actions but will we make the same mistakes? I call on all you pastors to trust God and separate from the state by refusing the 501C3 exemption. I call on you Christians to educate your pastors and support churches who are not 501C3 exempt!