Readers beware. This is a policial opinion blog entry.

I’ve been asked several times if I’m going to apply for non-profit status for my company, believe, inc. My answer? No. Way.

Non-profit status allows the government to put a “gag order” on anyone taking this tax benefit. I’ll pay my taxes and say whatever it is I need to say. Going non-profit is like giving away part of my freedom of speech. The government has enough of it’s fingers in enough pies…it doesn’t need to be governing my beliefs or what I want to say about those beliefs.

If I choose to back a certain candidate, I want the freedom to “stand up” here on my blog or anywhere else and say who that is. If I disagree with a candidate and decide not to support him or her I have the freedom to say so and I want to protect that freedom.

I’ve also had people say, “But you’re a religious business.” My response to that? Sort of. I’m a believer who believes that all of us can be ourselves, we are loved (by God), and we can believe what Gods says is true. That’s why my brand statement is: be you…be loved…believe. I want people who read or hear my words to know they can choose to believe in God, in His love for them, and in their abilities/talents. So for that I shouldn’t pay certain taxes and should have my verbage governed by say…President Obama or Nancy Pelosi? I don’t think so. Not voluntarily. I didn’t want G. W. Bush controlling my words wither so don’t draw any big conclusions from my Obama/Pelosi comment. I’m not willing to give any government official the right to censor me.

Besides, I charge (most of the time) for what I do. I’m a for profit business woman who loves the Lord Jesus.

So, do I believe churches should give up their non-profit status? Yes. I am convinced we should pay the taxes and say whatever we’re given to say without government restrictions and suppression. Non-profit status allows the government and any policitical action group who disagrees with biblical standards to shut down a church if a pastor or leader publically endorses a candidate and as the guidelines tighten, even speaking about the rights and wrongs of an issue will be enough to close the doors.

Don’t you find it curious that the government who demands seperation of Church and State willingly offers non-profit status as a “benefit” to churches? I’m not believing it. This so called benefit is the bait that holds the Church in bondage to the State.