Donald Trump Wants To Lift Ban on Political Endorsements by Religious Groups

[rug]

By Ron Kampeas
June 22, 2016

WASHINGTON ( JTA ) — Donald Trump told conservative Christians he would work to remove restrictions on churches endorsing political candidates.

“I think maybe that will be my greatest contribution to Christianity — and other religions — is to allow you, when you talk religious liberty, to go and speak openly, and if you like somebody or want somebody to represent you, you should have the right to do it,” Trump told the group of conservative Christian leaders on Tuesday.

Speaking at his corporate headquarters in New York, the real estate magnate and presumptive Republican presidential nominee told the group that restrictions placed in the 1960s on explicit political endorsement by tax exempt groups inhibited free speech.

“It’s taken a lot of power away from Christianity and other religions,” he said, in an audio recording obtained by the Washington Post.

http://forward.com/news/breaking-news/343260/donald-trump-wants-to-lift-ban-on-political-endorsements-by-religious-group/

[MattP]

1. Yes make religious groups even more sleazy and finally come out

As real lobbyists

[C_U_L8R]

2. He smells money

And suckers

[rug]

4. And he's wrapping it with a halo.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

3. Just pay your taxes like any other political group and say what you like.

The basis of making the churches and other groups tax free is that "the power to tax is the power to destroy." If they (churches) can speak politically it will allow big donors to funnel huge amounts of money tax free to support their causes and candidates. In fact, they'll be able to write the donations off as "charitable contributions."

[rug]

6. No tax deductible group can endorse candidates, which is what trump wants.

All, religious or secular, can engage politically on issues.

[Angry Dragon]

5. no more tax breaks for them ......... period