Pat Robertson -- Private Citizen ???

[ljm2002]

The official response to Pat Robertson's remarks is that, while we "officially" disagree with his position, he is a private citizen and can say whatever he wants to, under the rubric of Free Speech rights.

However, Mr. Robertson made his remarks while broadcasting on The 700 Club. So my question is, is The 700 Club a tax-exempt organization? If so, seems like his remarks should cause them to lose their tax-exempt status. After all, religious tax exemption comes with some strings, including the fact that they are not supposed to use their organization for political campaigning, fundraising and the like. I'd say Mr. Robertson clearly crossed that line.

Also, this would be more effective than trying to apply the new anti terrorism laws (however appropriate that might be). That's because it would send a clear signal to all of the other political churches out there, who played a huge role in the last presidential election by going on about Bush as a God-fearin' Christian man -- to knock it off or risk losing one of their most important financial assets, their tax-exempt status.

Just sayin' ...

[texastoast]

1. Now if bin Laden had said that

we would have heard the words "evil terst" OVER and OVER and OVER.

Likely half the Baptists churches in Texas preached for Bush from the pulpit. I heard specific stories about the ones in my neighborhood.

If all is just, churches who talk politics should lose that tax-exempt status.

:eyes:

[cliss]

2. Really?

Now there's an interesting quote: "he is a private citizen and can say whatever he wants to".

Can I say whatever I want to? If I were to stand on the street corner and advocate assassinating George Bush, what would be the response?

As they drag me off, can I wave a printed copy of the Free Speech Rights in their face? Maybe they'll let me go.
--------------------------

Pat Robberson may be a "private" citizen, but he's no ordinary citizen. He's worth $1 BILLION DOLLARS. He has complete access to the president, he has millions of followers. He has his own TV show, for God's sake.

[ljm2002]

4. re: being a private citizen

While I agree that being a private citizen does not confer 100% immunity for any of us w.r.t. our rights of free speech, my point was that he did not speak as a private citizen, he used the bully pulpit of The 700 Club to make his remarks. Therefore, any statement by government officials that he is "a private citizen" are totally irrelevant. He did not speak as a private citizen, he spoke as a representative of a religious organization. Therefore, the organization should be held accountable for his remarks.

I believe there are already laws on the book covering this, not the anti terrorism laws, but the laws regarding politics and tax exempt status for religious organizations.

And I think we ought to take full advantage of such laws.

[tanyev]

3. He founded the Christian Coalition in 1989.

It is still one of the most influential political lobbying groups in the country.