Hastings pastor endorses Emmer from pulpit

Here is proof why this is a country of laws not religion. Just love it when these phoney bigoted preachers talk about law,well preach,you have the freedom of speech but you don’t have the power .to ignore the law.Hey preach go into a movie theater and scream fire,see how far your argument for freedom of speech works out for you.. Good to see the preach backed EMMER, reading about the preach he and EMMER think alike and I’m quite sure they have pounded a couple cocktails together since EMMER can’t survive without a couple a dayi

If you don’t think the same thing doesn’t happen in the AME and southern baptist churches and the muslim mosques for democrat candidates, you’re kidding yourselves. But it seems only white christian churches are monitored for such activity.

Who can sit through an hour and a half sermon? You can imagine the kind of parishioners this huckster manages to keep in the pews week after week – true believers who are authoritarian followers and hungry to be told what to think.

Wow, thought you were a constitution guy Dennis? Only when convenient I guess.

These guys want God in the government, what happens if, 40 years down the road, we have a Muslim majority, or Mormon’s in power, or Jews, or whatever. these pastors are into earthly power for themselves, not the eternal survival of the message of Christ. If you don’t want Sharia law in our courts, then keep out all religions.

“Here’s what I need you to do liberal media: File a complaint with the IRS; tell them that Oct. 17 is the day that Pastor Brad Brandon is going to come out and endorse candidate from behind the pulpit,”

OK, I’m not the media, but consider your wish done. I urge others to follow is wishes.

sorry, meant “follow HIS wishes”

Dennis: We monitored the churches where pastors publicly announced their plans. If you have some Minnesota mosques or southern Baptist churches you’d like us to know about, please share the info.

My writing a comment will double the average IQ of those that commented, The constitution says the congress can’t make laws that restrict the free expression of religion. It doesn’t say religious people can’t say what they want. I have watched the Democratic party be at the front of so many churches that most of them could be ordained. To honestly speak what many others are doing by action is the honest way to do things. To all of you that continue to degrade Tom Emmer and dwell on things that happened twenty years ago try keeping your comments to the past ten years. I believe the presidential candidate you voted for two years ago was doing hard drugs about twenty years ago. I believe that is called hypocritical.

Sarge, no one is stopping any religious leader from saying anything. It’s the church’s TAX EXEMPT STATUS that is at issue. That’s why the complaint would go to the IRS, not anyone else. Churches get favorable tax treatment under the law (no property taxes, deductiblilty of donations, etc.) so long as they keep their noses out of partisan politics. If the Berean Bible Baptist Church (or, for that matter, the Sarge57 Church of Bestiality and Gardening) wants to endorse people for public office, they are free to do so. They just can’t do it while sponging off the rest of the country’s taxpayers.

Sarge57, if you hope to double the average IQ of anything beyond a cold storage locker, you’ve got some work ahead of you.
No one is saying that Pastor Brandon is not free to make partisan political pronouncements from his pulpit. That is, as you note, a right guaranteed by the US Constitution. What is not guaranteed is his right to make these statements AND remain a tax-exempt organization. Say what you like, but you’re going to be taxed if you endorse candidates. This is the rule for all otherwise tax-exempt organizatyions, nto just churches. Religious groups are not being singled out.
Democratic officeholders may speak in churches (except that I thought they are anti-Christian, but never mind that for now). Republicans may do likewise. The line is crossed only when there is an electoral endorsement.

Dennis is making stuff up again.

Dennis – in a prior post you accused Al Franken of being a draft dodger – where is your evidence?

“If you don’t think the same thing doesn’t happen in the AME and southern baptist churches and the muslim mosques for democrat candidates, you’re kidding yourselves.”

Again Dennis – where is your evidence?

You are becoming increasingly more irrelevant -

If the electorate in the USA turn this country over to the screwballs and nutcases running for office,it will be an unmitigated disaster.I have no desire to live under a theocratic form of government.Agnostic individual that I am,I believe that ANY RELIGION is nothing but a lot of hocus pocus,mumbo jumbo voodoo bullshit! Go get this phony bastard, IRS.

In regard to taxes, Jesus said to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. If Church’s want to publicly endorse candidates and bash the LGBT community, so be it, but drop the tax exempt status and show some integrity.

This church should immediately lose it’s non-profit status.

Here’s some information on how to proceed with a complaint regarding an organization’s tax-exempt status – http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=131651,00.html

Dennis,

If you actually knew what you were talking about you’d know that Americans United has looked into liberal churches.

But alas, it’s not the liberal churches who pose the greatest church/state threat. Consider the annual “Reclaiming America for Christ” conference, a place where the American Taliban meets to discuss theocracy:

“Our Mission is to educate our pastors, legislators, educators, students
and all citizens as to the truth about America’s Christian Heritage and
the role of fundamental, Biblical Christianity in the establishment and
function of our legal, legislative and educational systems; and to work
towards the successful reestablishment of these values in our society today.”
http://www.reclaimamericaforchrist.org/

Groups like Americans United for the Separation of Church and State do a fantastic job keeping tabs on these fanatics: http://www.au.org/

Every Christian need to stand up for our nation and the state of MN against the lovers of evil that wish nothing less than to destroy families, schools, the economy and the churches that are ministering to the poor and needed and providing critical social services that benefits everyone.

It’s about time pastors started leading again and stopped being intimidated by threats and smear campaigns by the liberal media. Churches and Christians are realizing that they are under attack and the enemies have no intention of negotiating. The true hatred is against Jesus Christ and anyone that follows His commands, just as Jesus predicted.

Many have been tricked into fighting against Jesus Christ and don’t even realize that it. They don’t realize that their source of hatred is Jesus Christ. The enemies of Jesus Christ have deceived many into thinking that they are fighting a natural cause against bigoted ideas of mere men. But that is not the case. This is must more than meets the eye, but they do not hear or see what God is going nor do they realize they are joining the enemies that stand against the kingdom of Jesus Christ. I pray that this great deception would be exposed.

It’s not about free speech it’s about tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. To which irs.gov provides the following (emphasis mine):

“To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., 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****.”

SMILE:

The Lord God of Israel Bless You TIM:
The Lord God of Israel Bless THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

rufus
pastor@unitedstateschurch.org

It is a tax issue but isn’t anybody going to mention that Jesus wanted to have his followers concerned about spiritual things and not focussed on government matters. This so-called “reverend” is dragging souls away from Jesus and to a weird and corrupt philosophy not found in any Christian Bible. Looks to me that Brad Brandon is preaching the teachings of the Devil not the Saviour.

Tim,
” Churches and Christians are realizing that they are under attack and the enemies have no intention of negotiating. The true hatred is against Jesus Christ and anyone that follows His commands, just as Jesus predicted.”

Sorry to think that you’re deluded but I’m confused. How are churches “under attack”? Does it happen whenever someone stands up to preacher by telling them that evolution is real science or by telling them that gay people should have the same civil rights as any American? Does it happen when we laugh at Michele Bachmann’s loony statements? Or does happen when we make comprehensive sex education available? Or are churches and Christians under attack when the larger denomination decides to close 20 churches because the larger institution has a “sex offender” problem and can’t provide funding to help keep them open?

I’m sorry but the rest of us declining to not accept your illusions about how the world operates and to do it another way, is not warfare but disagreements on the roles of families, churches and governments. How we as a society decide to allow certain organizations do some things and not others is the process politics and government.

Brandon is welcome to either A) operate a tax exempt church or b) a political organization. Imaginary wars against Jesus are not part of the discussion.

@Scott – This blog is a 401(c)(3) – yet it operates as a political organization. When are you going to questions its tax exemption?

This is not about tax exemption. Just like the war against Jesus Christ is not about individual rights. These are just the buss words used to draw people under the tent.

The influential behind the war against Jesus Christ know exactly who Jesus Christ is and acknowledge Him my name. Yet, they work to keep their supporters hidden from knowing their true enemy. Perhaps the greatest deception leading up to the return of Jesus Christ will be keeping people believing they are fighting something other than against the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Here is a new book to check out: The Rage Against God
http://www.amazon.com/Rage-Against-God-Atheism-Faith/dp/0310320313

Tim:

You’re wrong on two counts:

1. We’re not a “401(c)(3).” We’re a non-profit under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

2. That status comes with specific rules, which we strictly adhere to. We do not endorse candidates.

@Tim
Considering this a politics based news/opinion website that is NOT endorsing a candidate, they are welcome to organize under whatever laws work for them. Brandon is also welcome to rail against gays, liberals, evolution and vaccination against the flu all he wants. The IRS statue is on political endorsements, not on political opinions.

Tim says-”This is not about tax exemption. Just like the war against Jesus Christ is not about individual rights. These are just the buss words used to draw people under the tent.

The influential behind the war against Jesus Christ know exactly who Jesus Christ is and acknowledge Him my name. Yet, they work to keep their supporters hidden from knowing their true enemy. Perhaps the greatest deception leading up to the return of Jesus Christ will be keeping people believing they are fighting something other than against the kingdom of Jesus Christ.”

This is crazy stuff of which makes no sense to me.

So in this so-called war, are there teams, do they wear jerseys. how do we tell one team from another, will this war be played in stadiums or someplace else? So many questions. . .

Oh and on the last thing, I’m on the other brothers side.

@Scott – you said,

“This is crazy stuff of which makes no sense to me”

Exactly my point. What is it that you think you are fighting for?

@Paul – You said, “We do not endorse candidates.”

I’m not so sure about that. I think a legal case could easily be made that you do.

Conservative Christians should be eliminated. They have fought against any minority to get equal rights as them, when they have the majority, this since the beginning of America. These people want to be perceived as “victims” when they aren’t, but their bible tells them to be martyrs and that the more they suffer for their faith, the more their god would be pleased. So I say, given them what they want, bring back the lions, and lets watch them all get shredded and eaten to death.

@Corey Mondello – you said,

“bring back the lions, and lets watch them all get shredded and eaten to death”

Thank you for being honest and saying what you’re real intentions are. Like a said,
Churches and Christians are realizing that they are under attack and the enemies have no intention of negotiating. The true hatred is against Jesus Christ and anyone that follows His commands, just as Jesus predicted.

There is great danger behind the agenda of the far-left. They don’t really want rights, they don’t really want respect, and they don’t even want freedom. They want a tyranny that can shut up anyone that does not agree with them, a powerful theocracy like Iran. This is perhaps the most dangerous threat to the U.S. and I hope those that are giving comfort to this group realize what they are supporting and that the wolves among them are not really their friends.

This is exactly the reason why alot of people have stopped going to church.

Tim,

There’s a confusion at the heart of your language and it’s unclear–me not knowing you–whether you’re being dishonest or merely a little naive.

There is no one kind of Christian or one kind of church.

Some Christians are pro-choice, other anti-abortion.

Some churches oppose gay marriage, others allow it, and a tiny number believe that Jesus himself may have been gay.

Some Christians take the Bible–insanely, in my view–as a text that trumps scientific knowledge. Others view the Bible as a collection of inspiring stories and moral lessons, and not much else.

Some Christians are hyper-capitalists, others socialists.

Some Christians believe in a raft of superstitions like demons, angels and literal places like hell and heaven, while others view these as pre-modern fictions, only believed in by the under-educated.

@Alec
“Wow, thought you were a constitution guy Dennis? Only when convenient I guess. ”

Why should a member of the clergy lose his constitutional right to free speech?

The same 1st amendment says that congress shall make no law “respecting an establishment of religion” also says “or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech” would be an interesting case for the SCOTUS.

It seems to me that a tax law that trades tax liability for political speech might have a problem with some people on the court.

Tim,

Tim says- “There is great danger behind the agenda of the far-left. They don’t really want rights, they don’t really want respect, and they don’t even want freedom. They want a tyranny that can shut up anyone that does not agree with them, a powerful theocracy like Iran. This is perhaps the most dangerous threat to the U.S. and I hope those that are giving comfort to this group realize what they are supporting and that the wolves among them are not really their friends.”

The danger is stereotyping and misrepresenting the other side, which is what you are doing, is that you find danger and enemies where they don’t exist. Tim, I’m quite fine with freedom of religion, with a wide range of churches with a wide variety of beliefs. The problem is that there is a minority that cannot accept science, primarily evolution being taught in school correctly; allowing sex education that actually informs people about how their bodies operate in order have safe, happy sex lives and they are wanting to control the roles of women in society. As well as a number of other things.

So sorry, I’m quite fine with freedom of religion, belief and liberty. I’m afraid that it is you projecting your sides interest in theocracy. I want a society with a wide variety of views and philosophies. Our country has strength in diversity and it is NOT the religious side supportive of that. I can easily find a large number of groups that seem match your philosophy that are quite fine with repressing a number of parts of things that I feel are important to a healthy society, Brad Brandon being one of them.

While diversity makes finding a governing, it creates the best society for all. And that, Tim, is what I’m interested in fighting for.

Tim, I welcome your participation in the discussion. However please try to provide more than “cheap insults and a your side is always right and must win approach.”

SMILE:

We heard someone say that the government had as much to do with the Sept, 2008 depression which allmost toppled capitalism on the entire earth because the Feds could have worn of prevented the Risk takers from over-leveraging and fat fingering us to dooms day , While they yell “DE-REGULATION”.

So can you see the comparison. The Church is yelling , “Stop hell fire” and standing in front of Tanks and Fire hoses, tryuing to keep us all alive for a time to repent for more of YOU, while some of you are yelling, CRUCIFY THEM.

But where are we, Please Hear this:
We were right to vote for the man who is now commander and chieft. But his time has passed. HIS OUT SPOKENESS FOR GAY AND ISLAM puts this country if harms way, BIG TIME.. Only NO WOMAN PRESIDENT OR VICE PRESIDENT.”PLEASE”
The Media has no voice of correction for this problem.
In fact they are looking at Large Money Incomes Whth Articals such as gay and islam.

Only you Middle class and poor have no place to run to. This land is all we get..
So yes we Fight . Prase The Lord and Pass this Note to the NRA.

ONLY GAY AND PRO GAY HAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS CURRENT ISSUE.
When you send a gay Army to fighe the Taliban, Just Bring the troops home.
because The Lord Will then be on the side of truth and rightouness.(TALIBAN).

The Lord God of Israel Bless You TIM:
The Lord God of Israel Bless THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

rufus
pastor@unitedstateschurch.org

Dennis,
Brandon has NOT lost his free speech rights. He was able to make his speech, endorse his candidates and the government did not stop him. The problem is that he has now endangered his churches tax exempt status. I have no problem with him wanting to express his political opinions. However, he needs to give up the tax exempt status and form a political organization.

Brandon and the rest of us have freedom of religion as well as speech. The problem is that churches have tax exempt status as an incentive to provide services for society. If they want to give up being tax exempt and start being political, they are welcome to do it and they have all the free speech they want.

SCOT:

Did you say give up.

You your self play HARD BALL. What can you give up? We must force Justice from you.

Dont ask a man to lay down his arms when all you have is a writting pad.

rufus
pastor@unitedstateschurch

Rufus,

Could you possibly provide some facts or citations for your crazy accusations? I’ve just finished reading over 7 different books on the financial crisis of 2007-2008 and the conclusions that can be drawn is that the financial sector had too little oversight and regulation and was more interested in making money than in being the much smaller part of the economy that the financial sector should be. The financial crisis was brought about by over two decades of the destruction of regulation by people far more interested in money than in a fully functional economy.

So find some facts, coherent arguments and lose the caps and insults, as I’m quite ready to relegate you to total troll status and thus the trash heap.

Rufus,

Enjoy trolling. I’m through with your stupidity and insults. It’s people like you that ruin the internet.

SMILE

SCOTT

you just repeated my every word and though, also you said with dignity and wisdom.
However are you hoping that most of your readers will think that you just spank me?

JUDGE NOT THAT YOU BE NOT JUDGE
It is written to say , When you Speak , seek not TO BE POLITICAL CORRECT.

rufus

You get his views, straight from the horse’s — figure out which end is the appropriate one for yourselves.

Tim wrote:
@Paul – You said, “We do not endorse candidates.”

I’m not so sure about that. I think a legal case could easily be made that you do.”

Since you think a “legal case could be EASILY made”. Of course, any legal case can be “easily made”.

So why don’t you do it? Why don’t you file?

Because “easily made” doesn’t mean “easily won”.

God doesn’t like people who make false accusations, Tim. I suggest you post some evidence backing up your charges, or you apologize to God and to MN Indy for making false accusations. God says you are not to bear false witness against your neighbor.

Smile:

What is the rationale associated with a non-profit under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
It it for the puspose of supporting the Citizens of this country in places where the United States Government and The State Governments Failed.

We failed Through the cracks of this country When we were in our 40′s. Young and strong, but NOT BECAUSE OR DRUGS .

The Church Picked Us up and .

In OUR JUDGMENT, tax exemp is only a token of the VALUE OF THE CHURCH
to The People of this land and Also The United States Government.

rufus
pastor@unitedstateschurch.org

Rufus,
Why does your “church” have a 501 (c) (3)?

Do you have a real “church” or are you one of those “para-church” things?

What is your interest in Minnesota?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[...] endorsements are a big no-no for non-profit organizations, and Brandon was hoping to provoke a confrontation with the IRS, a seemingly common event for conservative activist pastors leading up to elections.  Americans [...]

[...] The story and audio recording of Pastor Brandon’s endorsements from the pulpit can be found at http://minnesotaindependent.com/72509/hastings-pastor-endorses-emmer-from-pulpit [...]

Wow

I know I am a little late to comment on this story, but did any one notice the severe psychological issues with pastor Brandon?? He makes the statement “I know you just can’t wait to tattle on poor little Pastor Brandon”. This is a glimpse into the mind of a person that is barely holding onto sanity. He actualy thinks that people are out to get him. Now he blatantly acts in a way that will harm his church and parishoners and will hope to be a martyr. He may be the next person to attack a planned parenthood office.

Hate, bullying, and no tolerance. Why is there such hate torwards christians?
If we speak. We get attacked.
Do you think acorn should get there tax exempt. And tax money they get from the goverment pulled? They broke the rules many times. Or is there a diffrent standard?

ACORN no longer exists, Aaron.

Sweet :)

I think this entire discussion is stupid. So a pastor stated who he thought would be the right choices to vote for. Like one person said you can bet it is going on in the mosques. Another person says where is the proof that its going on in a mosque. How can we get proof, we are not even allowed in one if your not Muslim or practicing Islam. So take that as your first example of how unfair Christian churches are treated compared to other religeons.

I don’t see any hate towards christians here, This pastor is just a nutcase who is scamming the ignorant saps that attend his church. that is what i see going on here.

Haha no hate? Nut case is how you complement Someone? Ignorant Saps? Its just hearts full of hatred. No one can veiw anything different From you with out getting attacked. Where is your tolerance. Isn’t that what you preach tolerance.

One of the people that the Founders listened to was John Locke, who wrote “A Letter Concerning Toleration”.
http://www.constitution.org/jl/tolerati.htm

Among his many arguments was this:
“I esteem it above all things necessary to distinguish exactly the business of civil government from that of religion and to settle the just bounds that lie between the one and the other. If this be not done, there can be no end put to the controversies that will be always arising between those that have, or at least pretend to have, on the one side, a concernment for the interest of men’s souls, and, on the other side, a care of the commonwealth.”

Separation of Church and State is necessary for the continuation of our democracy.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. – That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed”

Deriving Their Just Powers From The Consent Of The Governed. NOT The Will Of God. NOT the Lords of Aristocracy. This country was founded on the belief that citizens, We The People, working together, could organize their own lives and affairs without Kings, or Lords, or Bishops. This was the change that made this country so different. So desirable. So successful. They called it “The Great Experiment.”

This country was founded on there being a seperation of church and state, God and Government don’t mix. Churches should just have to pay taxes just like any other law abiding citizen or business,

Unfrickin” believable! Some of you clowns cry out when a conservative pastor supports candidates with a conservative agenda and scream “Separation of church and state”, yet proudly tout your liberal atheistic candidates and agenda which is also a “religion” in America and yet want the conservatives to roll over and play dead. How about let’s take away all the union leaders power in MN who support DFL candidates. And Teacher’s Unions leaders. Hmmm? Let’s kick them out of power. Round about is fair play.

Preach whatever you want, worship the Frisbee on the Roof, bow before the Frito of the Divine Countenance of Elvis, take communion with the Teletubbies, who cares! Just PAY YOUR TAXES!

@ Julie – did the Minnesota atheists publicly endorse a candidate? No. So should they keep their 501 (c)3 status? Yes.

Did the AFL-CIO endorse a candidate? Yes. Does the AFL-CIO have tax exempt status? No.

I have no problem with Berean Bible Baptist Church endorsing candidates. But claiming tax exempt status AND endorsing – that’s the problem.

The local cable access channel showed our local sheriff raising money from a pulpit of a church. He was a democrat and the church invited him.

A local stae house member stood in the house floor and said he was having trouble raising money. He said even his church this Sunday told him they were short.

This has been happening for years in prodominately black-liberal churches and when it is brought to officials attention, they have ignored it.

When a Christian-conv pastor endorces someone, the masses yell foul. We need to be consistent.

Violating the Federal Tax Codes!