New Jersey Church Group Loses Tax Exemption: A View of the Future?

Until this September the Ocean Grove Camp Ground in New Jersey, owned by a United Methodist organization, has enjoyed tax exempt status. The tax exemption was an incentive by the state used to encourage private property owners to open "green" spaces to the public. The property, which includes a beach and pavilion, is open to anyone without regards to race, gender, or even sexual preference. However, when two women were denied the right to use the pavilion for a civil union, the camp ground lost the tax exemption for the pavilion. Is this a small peek at the future, where tax exemptions might be used to influence or punish church belief?

No one has said the two women could not go to the pavilion. They are free to visit but not to hold the civil union as it violates the teachings of the United Methodist. The group is not discriminating against people but against a certain event they do not agree with. In response the state is using the tax exemption to punish the United Methodist organization for their teachings.

We all know the one who controls the money is quite often the one who is in control. By threatening the tax exemption of churches, the government can put itself in the position of deciding what churches are allowed to talk about and teach. We already see this in attempts (mostly by liberal groups) to have the IRS investigate non-profits with the intent to revoke tax exempt status.

I fear we will see a day when the church may have to choose between tax-exempt status and the truth. Those groups whose teachings are acceptable to certain special interests groups will be allowed to remain tax-exempt. Those who truly want to follow Christ will find their teachings declared hate speech and their tax-exemption revoked. It will take faith in God to let go of tax-exempt status and the financial impact that would follow. But the true church of Christ will not compromise just to save a buck.

Independent Conservative linked with "New Jersey Revokes Tax Exemption of Church Owned Property to Promote the Homosexual Agenda."