UU's Not a Religion???
May. 19th, 2004 12:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
patgundWhich is news to me, but it seems that in Texas, the Unitarian-Universalist Church is not a religion, and shouldn't get tax-exempt status. (Or at least, their Denison Branch shouldn't) The reason being is that, according to the state Comptroller's office, the Unitarian Church "isn't really a religious organization" because it "does not have one system of belief."
Unitarian group denied tax status
This quote in particular caught my eye:
"Strayhorn vows to continue the legal fight to the U.S. Supreme Court, if necessary. "Otherwise, any wannabe cult who dresses up and parades down Sixth Street on Halloween will be applying for an exemption," she said in a April 23 news release."
Unitarian group denied tax status
This quote in particular caught my eye:
"Strayhorn vows to continue the legal fight to the U.S. Supreme Court, if necessary. "Otherwise, any wannabe cult who dresses up and parades down Sixth Street on Halloween will be applying for an exemption," she said in a April 23 news release."
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no subject
Date: 2004-05-19 12:40 pm (UTC)The interesting thing to me is that polytheism is explicitly listed as acceptable. So if all else fails the CUUPS group can get separate tax-exempt status and shelter the church under our umbrella. Heh.
I just got elected treasurer for the CUUPS chapter. Might be a more interesting job than I expected.
no subject
Date: 2004-05-19 12:57 pm (UTC)Suggest that if you want to express your concerns to the state Comptroller, then the way to do so is:
http://www.window.state.tx.us/
Carole Keeton Strayhorn
Texas Comptroller
Post Office Box 13528, Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711-3528
(512) 463-4444
Interesting side note: she's happens the mother of both Bush's Press Secretary, Scott McClellan, and the current FDA comissioner, Dr. Mark McClellan.
no subject
Date: 2004-05-19 01:01 pm (UTC)I suspect this will eventually get overturned on appeal
no subject
Date: 2004-05-19 01:08 pm (UTC)I'd expect the UUs to have a better chance of prevailing on appeal, largely on grandfathering.
The nerve of some people!
Date: 2004-05-19 01:37 pm (UTC)*sigh* Where do they *find* these maroons? (No, I don't mean "where" literally! The one you're writing about is here in Texas, the last one you wrote about was there in California, and we have them scattered *all over* the good old USA. *sighs some more*)
Ah, well, Ms. Shitewit carries on in the proud tradition of Dubyah himself, who (while governor of Texas) said of Wicca, "I don't believe that's a real religion." Someday the idiots are going to deny the validity of a religion with really pissy deities and worshippers with ad hoc M&E's and get themselves turned into greasy spots. (Hmm. It might already have started happening, now that I think about their personalities and, in some instances, their personal hygiene. Ah, well! They're a deserving lot, aren't they? ;->)
*hugs and kisses*
Vi
P.S. Good luck dodging the on-going academic prostitution. What's a nice boy like you doing in a fuster cluck like that? (Yeah, yeah. I know. Just trying to make a living. But there *has* to be a better way, sweetie!) - V.
A quick PS
Date: 2004-05-19 01:43 pm (UTC)I just remembered: The Unitarian-Universalists *have* a formal statement of beliefs or principles or whatever. I've seen it posted in the church or fellowship hall of every congregation of theirs that I've ever attended. *gigantic sigh that shakes my whole body* I get S-O-O-O tired of these effing idiots! I really, really do, Padraig...
*a quick peck on the cheek as I leave*
Vi
no subject
Date: 2004-05-19 03:43 pm (UTC)