Possibility of theocracy developing in the USA: is that worry grounded in the tax code?

[Boojatta]

Suppose somebody starts a brand new political party. If the party had long meetings every Sunday and had furnishings like a church, then would governments insist on refunding all property taxes that the party paid? Would the government take the party to court to try to get it officially reclassified as a religious institution and not a political party, thus preventing it from "nominating" (not to be confused with "endorsing") political candidates?

The idea is that if it "quacks like a religious institution" then maybe it is a religious institution. It could be alleged that it is a religious institution even if it doesn't claim to be and even if it doesn't try to get treated as a religious institution for tax purposes.

[angstlessk]

1. but does it teach chess to women..then it is truly a religion/political party

[edhopper]

2. Did you write this

or is it a quote from Sarah Palin?

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. Too many people are ignorant of what the US Tax Code really says

Corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition (but only if no part of its activities involve the provision of athletic facilities or equipment), or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided in subsection (h)), and which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.

Title 26 (U.S. Tax Code), Section 501(c)(3)

501(h) lists the conditions under which a 501(c)(3) corporation may carry on propaganda or otherwise attempt to influence legislation. It is long and very complex, but is worth reading.

[Boojatta]

4. Your link took me to export regulations...

including Administration of Export Controls on Encryption Products. However, I didn't see anything there about the tax code and efforts to influence legislation.

[TechBear_Seattle]

5. Try this link

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscode26/usc_sec_26_00000501----000-.html

DU's auto-formatting seems to have broken because of the ? and & in the link. Sorry about that.