By now, you've probably heard of
the recording of "moral authority"
"Father" Michael Pfleger calling for
John "R-i-g-g-i-o", the owner of a Chuck's Gun Shop (along with "legislators" who don't support citizen disarmament) to be "snuffed out."
Well like the good father says, "it's all about the Benjamins," which I guess is proof he understands street slang, and he understands what "snuff out" means among his (can you call a gaggle or a pack a "flock"?)
So what about the Benjamins, Mike? And why shouldn't your ability to apparently exploit tax laws the rest of us are forced to obey be snuffed out?
What am I talking about? Well, Mike's "church," St. Sabina, is a 501(c)(3) corporation.
That means, as a church, it's exempt from filing taxes, and contributions are tax deductible. But that also means, in order to qualify for this exemption, certain conditions must be adhered to. Per
IRS Publication 557,
Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization, Chapter 3. Section 501(c)(3), "Application for Recognition of Exemption":
The organization will not, as a substantial part of its activities, attempt to influence legislation (unless it elects to come under the provisions allowing certain lobbying expenditures)...
When we look at the section on "Lobbying Expenditures," it says:
In general, if a substantial part of the activities of your organization consists of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, your organization’s exemption from federal income tax will be denied.
Father Mike's monomaniacal "crusade" against people being able to protect themselves was evidenced not only by his appearance at the rally, not only in his pledge to continue harassing lawful businesses and the citizens who operate and patronize them, and not only by a history of disarmament advocacy (Google search terms "
Michael Pfleger" gun).
All one really needs to do is look at the
St. Sabina webpage:
He certainly doesn't make much effort to separate "Gun Legislation to Support in Illinois" from the rest of the church's mission, does he?
And what legislation would that be?
Why don't we take a look:
What are those 501(c)(3) restrictions again?
But wait--there's more. We also see a link for "The Beloved Community, Inc." which a little searching also reveals to be a 501 (c)(3) for which contributions are tax deductible:
It might not be out of line to ask why they're listed as the "bullet" (hah!) for:
Save Our Children - STOP Gangs - Killing - Guns - Drugs - What Can I Do? Download the flier and Stop sign
especially since they answered "NO" on their 2005 Form 990, Part III, "Statement About Activities," question 1:
During the year, has the organization attempted to influence national, state or local legislation, including any attempt to influence public opinion on a legislative matter or referendum?
(I could present a picture of the form in question here, but that would violate the terms of use for the information source--but the IRS will know where to find it.)
But it probably doesn't matter anyway--because the links to the information and fliers are dead (but curiously, went to St. Sabina webpages anyway,
not to the "Beloved Community" site.)
Fortunately, we have one of my favorite resources, The Wayback Machine, that archived
the page in question. From it, you can
download their flier:
You can
print out their sign:
You can "Call legislators and tell them to pass common sense gun laws..." (How very compliant with 501(c)(3) restrictions!)
You can call the anonymous hotline (paid for with tax deductible contributions?)!
And you can even get "REWARDS!"
We will offer rewards to people who call in to our anonymous hotline 773-483-HELP (4357) and give us information that leads to finding and getting guns out of our community.
Hmm. I wonder if the funds for those were taken from tax deductible donations to the church, and how much was paid out?
These are just rhetorical questions I'm asking, mind you. I personally could never sic the IRS on anyone, as I view the entire agency to be a usurpation and a betrayal of the intent of the Founders. My purpose in posting this was merely to point out some questions that deserve to be answered.
Of course, were someone from the government to use this information and "snuff out" Mike Pfleger's ability to
apparently circumvent rules the rest of us must follow, well...
