“Republicans have quietly imposed a new tax on churches, synagogues and other nonprofits, a little-noticed and surprising change that could cost some groups tens of thousands of dollars. Their recent tax-code rewrite requires churches, hospitals, colleges, orchestras and other historically tax-exempt organizations to begin paying a 21 percent tax on some types of fringe benefits they provide their employees. That could force thousands of groups that have long had little contact with the IRS to suddenly begin filing returns and paying taxes for the first time.” More …
Religion
U.S. interfaith leaders urge government to #KeepFamiliesTogether
“Recently, the Administration announced that it will begin separating families and criminally prosecuting all people who enter the U.S. without previous authorization. As religious leaders representing diverse faith perspectives, united in our concern for the wellbeing of vulnerable migrants who cross our borders fleeing from danger and threats to their lives, we are deeply disappointed and pained to hear this news.”
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US bishops condemn immigration policies that separate families at border
“The U.S. bishops began their annual spring assembly by condemning recent immigration policies from the Trump administration that have separated families at the U.S.-Mexico border and threatened to deny asylum for people fleeing violence.” More …
The Biggest Loser in the Alabama Election: Evangelical Christians
“The Christian leaders who have excused, ignored, or justified Trump’s unscrupulous behavior and his indecent rhetoric have only given credence to their critics who accuse them of hypocrisy.” More …
“We’ve got the White House on speed dial.” How Evangelicals Are Influencing Trump
“The evangelical community overwhelmingly backed the Republican in November’s election, and Trump has been quick to repay it. The president has signed an executive order on religious liberty and cut funding to overseas abortion providers. Now, it appears that the president is rewarding one of his most important support bases with a hotline to the White House and some of the most senior officials in the administration.” More …
Is the Catholic Church Turning On Trump? U.S. Bishops Slam Immigration RAISE Act Proposals as ‘Discriminatory’
“The head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, Bishop Joe Vasquez of Austin, Texas, criticized the RAISE Act introduced by two Republican senators on Thursday, the Catholic Herald reported. The proposed legislation—the full name of which is the Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment (RAISE) Act—would cut immigration by 41 percent in its first year and by 50 percent over a 10-year-period, The Guardian reported.” More …