At the White House petition site:

We petition the Obama Administration to:

Tax Churches

Churches are currently exempt from taxes since they’re listed as non-profit organizations, in spite of separation of church and state.

However, most if not all churches influence the way American citizens vote. Also, a megachurch profits(on average) about $6.5 million per year. An estimated $71 billion per year is lost in US tax revenue because of religious tax exemption. If taxed, the national debt would be paid off.

Church institutions are politically affiliated, as well as businesses. They should not be tax exempt.

Created: Jul 23, 2014

Issues: Budget and Taxes

Signatures needed by August 22, 2014 to reach goal of 100,000 94,727

Total signatures on this petition 5,273

[emphasis added]

Among the forest of petitions started on the site this one is actually generating more interest than most.

In the United States Constitution:

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof….

A new petition at the White House site:

We petition the Obama Administration to:

Keep The Words, “IN GOD WE TRUST” On All American Currency

America is a God-fearing Christian nation; it is now and always has been. I encourage all true Americans to stand up and do what is right. These kind of changes must be stopped before Obama does more damage. This is a stepping stone in the wrong direction and will only lead to much worse things. We have already lost Christmas in this country, soon we could lose our churches and Bibles too. It is a slippery slope my friends. This administration must be stopped at all costs. Keep the words ‘In God We Trust’ on all American currency!

Created: May 23, 2014

Issues: Budget and Taxes, Civil Rights and Liberties, Economy

Signatures needed by June 22, 2014 to reach goal of 100,000 99,780

Total signatures on this petition 220

[emphasis added]

“…I encourage all true Americans to stand up and do what is right…”

Apparently no true Scotsman puts sugar on his porridge either.

A persecution complex with sides of paranoia and entitlement. Fancy that.

Previously:

HB 1425: Merry Chrismahanakwanzukah (January 11, 2010)

HJR 62: brace yourself for “Talk Like a Pirate Day” (May 5, 2010)

A skirmish in the war on the holiday season in small town Missouri (December 17, 2010)

HB 198: Merry Chrismahanakwanzukah redux (January 19, 2011)

HB 424: Merry Chrismahanakwanzukah – this time, with more feeling (February 8, 2011)

HB 1109: because the contrived right wingnut “War on [the holiday season]” supersedes any sense (December 27, 2011)

Because we can’t wait for the 4th of July and the Summer Solstice is just too icky (July 15, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): a triumphant victor against the War on Christmas ™ (December 11, 2013)

The FSM will be so pleased.

Yeserday, via Twitter:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler

RT @tperkins: Soldiers speak out on loss of #religiousliberty in military: [….]  #militaryfreedom @RepHartzler 11:19 AM – 14 Nov 13

An obvious anti-pastafarian response:

KCLiveMusicBlog ‏@KCLiveMusicBlog

@RepHartzler @tperkins this is complete nonsense. Folks have been prosthelytizing the military with impunity for decades. Give me a break. 11:20 AM – 14 Nov 13

Spaghetti dinners anyone? We rest our case.

And, more on the subject from Representative Hartzler (r):

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler

Am leading a one-hour Special Order w/ colleagues on House floor on threats to religious freedom in our military. Watch on CSPAN. 3:23 PM – 14 Nov 13

Because most people in America worry about the right kind of proselytizing.

Previously:

Oh, for the love of… (September 24, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r) v. Mikey Weinstein (R) (July 11, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): freedom of religion only means you can impose your views on everyone else (October 7, 2013)

In the past:

Oh, for the love of… (September 24, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r) v. Mikey Weinstein (R) (July 11, 2013)

….On May 13, 2013, Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) signed on to letter addressed to the Secretary of Defense taking issue (“expressing concern”) with a meeting on religious freedom that Mikey Weinstein, president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, had with representatives of the Department of Defense. The exchange of letters was made available on Representative Hartzler’s congressional website yesterday. That meeting would probably fall under that pesky “redress of grievances” clause, plus a few others….

Then, today, via Twitter:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler

Obamacare forces nuns to violate their own consciences because they’re not religious enough. #ObamacareFails [….] 11:47 AM – 7 Oct 13

There’s a link in Representative Hartzler’s (r) Twitter post to a video about the Little Sisters of the Poor, produced by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

From Right Wing Watch [People for the American Way], on the Becket Fund:

‘Religious Liberty’ Panelist: Compromise is of the Devil

Submitted by Peter Montgomery on Wednesday, 2/20/2013 6:27 pm

….[Adele] Keim [lawyer for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty] talked about Becket’s client Hobby Lobby, which is suing the Obama administration over the contraception mandate.  Or as Keim insisted on calling it, the contraception/abortifacient mandate. Keim argued that business owners are no less deserving of religious accommodation than churches or religiously affiliated nonprofits, saying “Americans do not lose their First Amendment rights when they go to work.” Of course by the standard she was invoking, many Americans could find their own rights and access to health care dictated by the religious beliefs of their employer….

Ah, that Hobby Lobby:

Christian-Owned Hobby Lobby Is Accused Of Anti-Semitism

When questioned, an employee at a New Jersey store allegedly told a customer, “We don’t cater to you people.”

[….]

Hobby Lobby Totally Wants To Spin The Dreidel With You Now

By Laura Northrup October 7, 2013

[….]

“This company didn’t do good market research before opening a store in an area with a large Jewish population” is a much more likely explanation than “they won’t order a few dreidels because of bigotry.”

Apparently, they’re now going to test market in New York and New Jersey. Think about that for a minute.

If they have a Las Vegas store do you think it’ll start stocking condoms? Just asking.

Back to the Little Sisters of the Poor video. There’s a comment from someone who viewed it:

[….]

I commend the Sisters for caring for the elderly and never letting someone die alone regardless of their religious affiliation. I think it’s great that they look at the person and not their religion when in their final stages of life. But there is the problem. Since they are not solely a religious organization they basically shoot themselves in the foot.

And, a response to Representative Hartzler’s (r) Twitter post:

Jalen Michael Weir ‏@ravngsofamadman

@RepHartzler Very touching video, so how does #ACA prevent them from living their faith or stop them from serving poor and elderly? 11:55 AM – 7 Oct 13

It’s definitely not a fair fight.

United States Constitution, Article VI

….but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

United States Constitution, Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

On May 13, 2013, Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) signed on to letter addressed to the Secretary of Defense taking issue (“expressing concern”) with a meeting on religious freedom that Mikey Weinstein, president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, had with representatives of the Department of Defense. The exchange of letters was made available on Representative Hartzler’s congressional website yesterday. That meeting would probably fall under that pesky “redress of grievances” clause, plus a few others.

The letter [pdf], signed by Representative Hartzler (r):

Congress of the United States

House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515

May 13, 2013

The Honorable Chuck Hagel

Secretary of Defense

1000 Defense Pentagon

Washington, DC 20301

Dear Secretary Hagel,

It has come to our attention that as recently as April 23, 2013, Pentagon officials met with Mr. Michael “Mikey” Weinstein, Founder and President of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), to discuss religious freedom in the military. As we have great concern regarding numerous inflammatory statements from Mr. Weinstein in recent weeks, we are seeking further clarification on the meeting that took place last month.

In a recent posting in his own words, Mr. Weinstein characterized men and women of the christian faith as, “monsters who terrorize their fellow Americans” and offered consent to labeling individual faith based family groups as “hate groups.” Mr. Weinstein also urged exposure of these “patholgically anti-gay, Islamaphobic, and rabidly intolerant agitators,” equating them as “die hard- enemies of the United States Constitution.” There are additional previous examples where Mr. Weinstein compares men and women of faith serving in the Pentagon to the Taliban and Al Qaeda, and followers of the Christian faith to that of Hitler and Stalin. Also of Concern are statements equating spiritual expression to “spiritual rape” and sedition and treason in the military. Such sentiments are consistent throughout Mr. Weinstein’s printed and other media materials.

We question the Pentagon’s judgment and reasoning in accepting a meeting from someone with a history of such statements and sentiments like Mr. Weinstein. We would respectfully request clarification on the nature of the meeting and detailed information regarding the following items:

1. Confirmation of a meeting between Pentagon officials and representatives from MRFF, as well as a list of attendees, both military and civilian;

2. The purpose of the meeting, specifically whether the meeting was organized to inform deliberative policy for the Armed Forces, as well as a summary of the meeting’s discussion;

3. Prior to arranging this meeting, were Pentagon officials aware of Mr. Weinstein’s previous statements, including those referenced above?

4. In addition to any meeting already held, are there additional meetings scheduled?

Noting that this is a particularly critical time for the Department of Defense as they finalize regulations protecting the moral and religious convictions of service members and military chaplains, we would appreciate your attention to this matter.

Thank you and we look forward to the favor of a reply.

Sincerely,

[signed – 68 members, including:]

VICKY HARTZLER

Member of Congress

[emphasis added]

“….Noting that this is a particularly critical time for the Department of Defense as they finalize regulations protecting the moral and religious convictions of service members and military chaplains, we would appreciate your attention to this matter….”

Is this about possible restrictions on proselytizing others in the Armed Forces who don’t want it? Just asking.

Mikey Weinstein is a graduate of the Air Force Academy, served with distinction, is a Republican, is an attorney, and served in the Reagan Administration.

A 2008 interview with Mikey Weinstein:

….I was at the Academy for a conference, when my younger son (who had just finished the arduous one-month combat survival training) asked me if it would be possible to sit down and talk. It was June 29, 2004, and he was very troubled. He told me he had been called a “fucking Jew,” and that he and the Jewish people had total complicity in the execution of Jesus Christ by numerous people up and down the chain of command at numerous places around the Academy….

That’s a very special kind of proselytizing, isn’t it? And:

….Later, I found out this kind of harassment was not limited to the Air Force Academy – that this contagion of unbridled right-wing, Christian fundamentalism had spread not just to the Air Force Academy but throughout the entirety of the United States Air Force, United States Marine Corp, United States Navy and the United States Army.

The proselytizing mission has gone so far that there are formal organizations among officers and enlisted men. For the officers, it’s called the Officers’ Christian Fellowship; for the enlisted folks, it’s called the Christian Military Fellowship. And they have a three-level, or a tripartite goal, which goals they view as far more critically important than the oath, the blood oath, they all swore out to protect and preserve, support and defend the Constitution of the United States. There are now 737 U.S. military official installations — it’s actually closer to 1,000 — in 132 countries and we have variances of this Christian Taliban and the Christian al-Qaeda on every one of them….

And:

….Now, I remind you, Hitler never had more than eight percent of the German citizenry in the Nazi party; I don’t think Stalin ever had more than 2.9 percent of his closest association. So, this is plenty, particularly when you are talking about a command and control structure like the U.S. military. The frightening prospect that our conventional and nuclear forces–technologically the most lethal organization ever created by humankind-was falling into the hands of a Christian Taliban. There was nobody focusing directly there….

Go. Read the entire interview.

I see how that could upset Representative Vicky Hartzler (r).

The response [pdf], dated as received on June 27, 2013, from the Acting Secretary of the Air Force (listed on Representative Hartzler’s website as “Response from Secretary Hagel on Religious Liberties.pdf”) was relatively bland. It was signed by Eric Fanning who became Acting Secretary of the Air Force on June 21, 2013.

You think the previous Secretary might have had other more pressing concerns? Just asking.

Or maybe not. How did we miss this one?:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 799

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES CONWAY (104) (Sponsor), REIBOLDT AND FITZWATER (Co-sponsors).

0088L.01I          D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 566, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to sexual exploitation by a clergyperson, with a penalty provision.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

           Section A. Chapter 566, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 566.088, to read as follows:

          566.088. 1. A person commits the crime of sexual exploitation by a clergyperson if such person is or holds oneself out to be a clergyperson as defined in subsection 3 of this section, and engages in sexual conduct, as defined in section 566.010, with another person who is not the clergyperson’s spouse, and the sexual conduct occurred:

           (1) During the course of a meeting in which the victim sought or received religious, spiritual, marital or relationship advice, counseling, therapy, aid, or comfort from the clergyperson or within one hundred twenty days after such meeting; or

           (2) During a period of time in which the victim was meeting on an ongoing basis with the clergyperson to seek or receive religious, spiritual, marital or relationship advice, counseling, therapy, aid, or comfort from the clergyperson; or

           (3) While the clergyperson was in a position of trust or authority over the victim and used that position of trust or authority to engage in the sexual conduct.

           2. Consent by the victim is not a defense under this section.

           3. As used in this section “clergyperson” means any person practicing as a minister of the gospel, clergy, pastor, priest, bishop, cardinal, rabbi, Christian Science practitioner, or other person serving in a similar capacity for any religious organization, as defined in section 352.400.

           4. Sexual exploitation by a clergyperson is a class C felony.

This bill, sponsored by Representative Kathie Conway (r), had a committee hearing today:

Missouri House of Representatives

97th General Assembly , 1st Regular Session

Activity History for HB 799

Date Jrn Pg Activity Description

3/07/2013 H 546 Introduced and Read First Time (H)

3/08/2013 H 558 Read Second Time (H)

4/18/2013 H 1365 Referred: Crime Prevention and Public Safety(H)

4/30/2013 Public Hearing Completed (H)

“…or within one hundred twenty days after such meeting…”

Fancy that, there’s a waiting period. Is there a background check? Just asking.

…the establishment clause.

Because if you’re in a sort of religious majority, not being able to use the institutions of government to proselytize people who don’t want what you’re selling makes you a victim.

The right wingnut cult of the victim, via Representative Todd Akin (r):

66 Members of Congress Call Attention to Alarming Pattern of Attacks on Faith in the Air Force

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO) along with Congressman Diane Black and Congressman Randy Forbes, sent a letter signed by 66 Members of Congress urging Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to investigate a pattern of hostility towards faith in the United States Air Force. The letter calls on Secretary Panetta to issue clear Department of Defense policy guidance, consistent with our Constitution, to preserve the place of religious expression in the military at large….

And, guess who else signed the letter? Yep, Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) [pdf].

Representative Hartzler has a broad view that religious freedom means imposing one religious belief system on everyone else:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler

Many have written me opposing the #HHS mandate. I stand w religious liberty & will fight for conscience rights for all. #Fortnight4Freedom 2:34 PM – 22 Jun 12

From the Military Religious Freedom Foundation:

Religious Freedom & the Military: An Ongoing History

….All Americans have the right to worship as they see fit within the bounds of the law, but no one has the right to use the government , military, or power of the state to endorse or promote his or her religious beliefs or demand help in spreading sectarian messages. Given that, it is imperative that when military professionals take the oath to support and defend the Constitution, these democratic principles are what they are promising to protect.  On September 1, 2011 the Chief of Staff, General Norton A. Schwartz sent a memorandum for all commanders, the subject was “Maintaining Government Neutrality Regarding Religion.”  In this memo he states, “Leaders at all levels must balance Constitutional protections for an individuals free exercise of religion or other personal beliefs and its prohibition against governmental establishment of religion”. Further “They must avoid the actual or apparent use of their position to promote their personal religious beliefs to their subordinates or to extend preferential treatment for any religion.” To do so, he states, “Commanders or supervisors who engage in such behavior may cause members to doubt their impartially and objectivity. The potential result is a degradation of the unit’s morale, good order, and discipline. Thus the flagrant proselytizing of subordinates by superiors, non voluntary evangelizing of members by chaplains and public prayer in official, mandatory settings, outside of voluntary worship, are at the root of what the Military Religious Freedom Foundation is fighting against….

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation was founded by Mikey Weinstein, a former Air Force officer, as a reaction to the religious harassment and proselytizing he and his sons received while attending the U.S. Air Force Academy.