The Panic Over Churches' Tax-Exempt Status in a Gay-Married World [View all]

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http://religiondispatches.org/the-panic-over-churches-tax-exempt-status-in-a-gay-married-world/

BY SARAH POSNER MAY 10, 2015

A new worry in conservative circles has slowly gathered steam since the Supreme Court heard arguments in Obergefell v. Hodges, on whether the Constitution requires states to issue marriage licenses to and recognize the out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples. During oral arguments, Justice Samuel Alito asked Solicitor General Donald Verrilli whether the tax-exempt status of religious colleges and universities who opposed same-sex marriage would be in jeopardy should the Court hold for the plaintiffs. Verrilli hedged, saying he’d have to know more details to answer the question, but conceded that that it would “be an an issue.” That was enough for conservatives to start raising alarm bells about the Internal Revenue Service (which they already hate) yanking the tax exemption of religious organizations and churches who oppose same-sex marriage.

Travis Weber, director of the Family Research Council’s Center for Religious Liberty, told Fox News’ Shannon Bream that “he believed Verrilli’s logic would eventually extend to churches and just about ‘anyone holding a traditional view of marriage.'”

The American Family Association’s One News Now claimed that “Christian colleges and universities would be forced to decide between compromising their biblical beliefs and surviving financially,” and that churches and other institutions could be forced to shutter as well, because losing the tax exemption would spell financial ruin.

“Religious non-profits, Plan Now for Tax-Exemption Battles,” warned The Federalist.

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