COLUMN: More on Constitution

In her My Turn column June 13, Ms. Rose does a good job of presenting the pros and cons of 501(c)(3) as it pertains to churches. However, the tax-exempt status given to churches is redundant to the basic Constitutional exemption inherent in Amendment I 1:1a. The limitations set forth in 501(c)(3) are unconstitutional, but churches subject themselves to those limitations by accepting the 501(c)(3) provisions. The wise church will have nothing to do with 501(c)(3).

Her final comments in regards to Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptist Association in regards to the influence of the Congregationalist — Federalist church of Connecticut follow the liberal out of context use of his remarks. The First Amendment, as originally understood, had little substantive content apart from its affirmation that the national government was denied all power over religious matters. Jurisdiction in such concerns was reserved to individual citizens, religious societies, and state governments.

The only limitation of the churches’ influence on the government is Article VI 1:3a “… but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”

GEDDIE H. FREDY

Coeur d’Alene