The Mormon Church and Proposition 8

[_3sheets2thewind]

figured this would make a nice copy and paste from places elsewhere.


Agenda: To have dialogue and discussion as to whether the Church advocated for the adoption of legislation or was the Church only providing educational information

Purpose: To help LDS members in particular, and the general public, understand the involvement of the LDS Church with the passage of Prop 8.

From the IRS:

Lobby for legislation:
Legislation includes action ... by the public in referendum, ballot initiative, constitutional amendment, or similar procedure. It does not include actions by executive, judicial, or administrative bodies.

An organization will be regarded as attempting to influence legislation ... if the organization advocates the adoption or rejection of legislation.

Educating on Legislation:

[O]rganizations may conduct educational meetings, prepare and distribute educational materials, or otherwise consider public policy issues in an educational manner without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status.


LDS Church Newsroom

We [presumably the 1st] ask that you do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time to assure that marriage in California is legally defined as being between a man and a woman.


It appear just from the letter that the LDS Church officially advocated for the passage of prop. 8, said advocating seems to fit the definition of lobby provided by the IRS. However, it does not seem reasonable to suggest that the tax code was violated, thus, not a violation of tax exempt status.

[_Dr. Shades]

It appear just from the letter that the LDS Church officially advocated for the passage of prop. 8, said advocating seems to fit the definition of lobby provided by the IRS. However, it does not seem reasonable to suggest that the tax code was violated, thus, not a violation of tax exempt status.

The first sentence contradicts the second one. Which one encapsulates your real opinion?