This issue came up on the site below:

http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2012/03/financial-transparency-lds-church.html

The article makes the following statement:

"I take President Hinckley at his word when he said the information belongs to those who made the contribution … .” Is increased financial transparency and greater clarity around church distribution policies asking too much?"

Unfortunately this article limits itself to the LDS member's point of view; The real concern should be for American citizens everywhere. If any church wants to be (in effect) Tax Subsidized, that religion owes it to ALL taxpayers to make a full financial accounting to the public.

If a religion wants to assert the doctrine of "separation of church and state" and keep its financial matters secret, it should have that privilege, but NOT while receiving this government tax benefit. A church may keep its secrets, but not at the expense of all taxpayers -- taxpayers who may have other religious beliefs, or no religious beliefs.

There are too many religions that are abusing their privileged status -- Mormonism is among the worst. These religions shouldn't be allowed to have their cake and eat it too: A great tax advantage should require great financial disclosure.

Few things would be a worse threat to Mormonism.

I totally agree!!

Disclosure Now!!

real good way to build faith, imo

and not the blind kind

Gordo also said "We have nothing to hide, our history is an open book".

First Presidency vault, anyone?

Liar liar, pants on FIRE.

around temple square a la "Stripling Warriors" demanding that Monson open up the financial books would certainly get the attention of the GA's and the world at large.

In this day of greed and scams maybe even a few TBM's might be up to challenge the good ol' boys club at 47 East South Temple?

set it up. I'll be there.

...Who would have their recommends taken away the day after they were indentified by the secret Strengthening Members Committee! (Shhh... it doesn't really exist, remember?)

The idea behind churches being tax exempt it that they do so much charitable work. Okay, but charities have to open their book to show where the money goes. Churches should too.

Allow any and all charitable expenditures be 100% tax free. Open the books and audit.

They need to operate on a net zero. Anything that is "extra", tax it at capital gains.

That would change the mormon church, boy howdie.

Yes, there is no excuse for the church being allowed to claim tax exempt status because of it's charitable work then provide no public record of what that charitable work is and how the money is being spent. The real problems is that Mormons brag shamelessly about their smallest accomplishment. If all the tithing money were going to good causes, Mormon leadership would be the first to show off that fact.

Their silence is deafening.

From the comments following this article it sounds like there's some rumbling in the pews. The members themselves may bring some pressure to disclose. I am aware of a number of non-LDS churches that publish their finances every year to the penny. It is immoral that the Mormons don't. Of course they want to keep the finances secret because they have billions of dollars and if they let people know exactly how they spend the money they will be opening up huge cans of worms. Also, disclosing the finances will aid in tracking the true membership numbers, another item that the Mormons want to keep secret. I find it astounding that churches are tax-exempt, yet are not required to disclose their finances. This is just inviting corruption.

It would be a perfect way to launder money and no one would ever be able to find out. Because they never audit. I'm surprised if it hasn't been done already, and on going. Would serve us right for not requiring transparency, no matter what church it is.

relax, it ain't gonna happen as long as the Zealots have the reins.

congress members Don't Dare pass a law that could be considered as 'anti-religion'.

a) They're afraid of voters

b) they're afraid of the law being o.turned by the conservs on the Rightest SCOTUS we now (undeniably) have.

case Closed.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/27/2012 06:30PM by guynoirprivateeye.

guynoir,
why do you have to spoil our fun? Besides, do you think the voters would care? It's the leaders of these churches that would object. The general public would welcome full disclosure, wouldn't they?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/27/2012 09:03PM by canadianfriend.

If the membership of the LDS church knew the actual numbers, there would be an unprecendented exit of members from the church.

It would also be a cruel reminder of the sacrifices people have been commanded to make financially to a corrupt organization that does not need the money.

Personally I think LDS Inc is good enough at hiding money that even if a law like this were to take effect, it would not be a true reflection of the assets, as I imagine there are a lot if hidden international bank accounts etc.

However, certain things they cannot hide such as their declared real estate holdings (I imagine there are a lot of widows estates hidden in puppet corporations)

This is a real threat to LDS Inc, and as Mitt makes his run, law or no law, the media will be scritinizing this hoarded wealth, particularly since Mitt has called his church a charity.

deco Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Personally I think LDS Inc is good enough at
> hiding money that even if a law like this were to
> take effect, it would not be a true reflection of
> the assets, as I imagine there are a lot if hidden
> international bank accounts etc.

There is also the matter of the church's for-profit investments. I'm not accountant, but it seems if those investments are big enough they should keep the ball rolling for whatever it is the church actually spends its money on (its leadership, I would assume).

It would, however, be interesting to see where tithing does get directed, once disclosure is required. Maybe we'll see more real Mormon charity, and the church will claim that it's only able to accomplish so much because projects started long ago are finally coming to fruition (that is, the correlation with open finances is just a coincidence of course; tithes have always been at war with Eurasia).

If churches had to file 990s, the tax form for non-profits, the Morg would also have to reveal how much compensation each of the GAs are receiving. Now THAT would be interesting.

This tax is needed and it will help in destroying the church, I can't wait; this is exciting.

This is from wiki.answers

"Churches and religious organizations, like many other charitable organizations, qualify for exemption from federal income tax under IRC section 501(c)(3) and are generally eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. To qualify for tax-exempt status, such an organization must meet the following requirements (covered in greater detail throughout this publication):
■ the organization must be organized and operated exclusively for religious, educational, scientific, or other charitable purposes,
■ net earnings may not inure to the benefit of any private individual or shareholder,
■ no substantial part of its activity may be attempting to influence legislation,
■ the organization may not intervene in political campaigns, and
■ the organization's purposes and activities may not be illegal or violate fundamental public policy."

Churches are not required to file Form 990 which would publicy disclose their finances. But how would we know if they are meeting the above obligations if they don't? Tax exempt status is a privilege that is shouldered by the tax paying public. Don't they deserve to have access to form 990, to make sure churches are compliant? The Mormons could voluntarily file. Why don't they? Why the secrecy?

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Are_churches_required_to_file_tax_returns

canadianfriend Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is from wiki.answers
>
> "Churches and religious organizations, like many
> other charitable organizations, qualify for
> exemption from federal income tax under IRC
> section 501(c)(3) and are generally eligible to
> receive tax-deductible contributions. To qualify
> for tax-exempt status, such an organization must
> meet the following requirements (covered in
> greater detail throughout this publication):
> ■ the organization must be organized and
> operated exclusively for religious, educational,
> scientific, or other charitable purposes,
> ■ net earnings may not inure to the benefit of
> any private individual or shareholder,
> ■ no substantial part of its activity may be
> attempting to influence legislation,
> ■ the organization may not intervene in
> political campaigns, and
> ■ the organization's purposes and activities may
> not be illegal or violate fundamental public
> policy."
>
> Churches are not required to file Form 990 which
> would publicy disclose their finances. But how
> would we know if they are meeting the above
> obligations if they don't? Tax exempt status is a
> privilege that is shouldered by the tax paying
> public. Don't they deserve to have access to form
> 990, to make sure churches are compliant? The
> Mormons could voluntarily file. Why don't they?
> Why the secrecy?
>
> http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Are_churches_required_to
> _file_tax_returns

One could make a strong argument that LDS Inc violates ALL of those conditions.

OK, so make the strong argument, deco.

Brilliantly said! Anything that encourages transparency and verifiable truthfulness is a threat to TSCC's veil of secrecy. We deserve far more than the non-report we get at General Conference.