Reforming the State-Church: Solutions For the Church Inc. 501c3 ProblemWritten by Peter Kershaw © 2000
More and more people are becoming acquainted with at least some of perils associated with organizing a church or ministry as a "tax-exempt religious organization." Not least of these perils is obvious answer to question asked by Attorney Charles Crismier, "Have we become so dependent on government and its perks that we have been seduced from God and His power?" (Lifegate 4/2000, p. 5). Most typically, this is done by incorporating and receiving an IRS 501c3 tax-exempt recognition letter. In Virginia, incorporation for churches has never been permitted, as state constitution expressly prohibits it. Nevertheless, most churches in Virginia are still subordinated to State, rather than Jesus Christ, because of manner in which they have elected to be "legally" organized and established.Other writers have also exposed certain problems, both legally and theologically, associated with organizing a church as a corporation and/or a 501c3. Understanding that these are indeed perilous decisions for churches is important. But is it always helpful? Not unless one is able to act on information provided. As old adage goes, "Knowing problem is half solution." But as this author is only too keenly aware (having heard it from so many pastors and ministers), "It does no good to talk about problems, if you don't have a remedy for them." Agreed. Is it viable and is it doable to organize a church as nothing more, and nothing less than, a church ? The answer is: Yes! Absolutely! History shows us. Most of America's churches were once called "free-churches," and they were established by common right of those Christian men who organized them, under exclusive headship and sovereignty of Jesus Christ, autonomous from State. The fact is that prior to turn of twentieth century, vast majority of churches were not able to organize as corporations. Unlike today, where we can easily apply for "articles of incorporation" with our secretary of state's office, a hundred years ago, one had to petition their state legislature for a corporate charter. Although most states never went as far as Virginia in amending their state constitutions to prohibit incorporation of churches, nevertheless, all state legislatures recognized that incorporation of any church was a violation of First Amendment's prohibition of State establishment of religion. Therefore, grant of corporate charters to churches was once quite rare. That all began to change in 1898 with "liberalization of incorporation law" in New Jersey. Other northeastern states soon thereafter also "liberalized." It's important to recognize that incorporation for churches in America is of relatively recent origin (although corporation itself is quite ancient, originating in Rome by at least 250 B.C.). It's also important to recognize that an incorporated church is a State-Church. Our forefathers recognized it. The Virginia legislature recognized it in 1802 when they amended their Constitution. President James Madison recognized it in 1811 when he vetoed a bill to incorporate Protestant Episcopal Church. Tragically, many Christians today are gravely ignorant of not only God's Word, they know little of law or history. As philosopher, George Santayana put it, "He who learns nothing from past is condemned to repeat it." While many who will read this know that America's settlers came to her shores to establish religious liberty, what many today fail to recognize is that religious liberty necessitates establishing churches separate and apart from license and sanction of civil government. More than any other element of society, it was America's colonial clergy who were responsible for leading cause of independency, and this because of king's attempted imposition of licenses to preach and publish tenants of Christian faith. Yet today, State routinely licenses churches. It would be fallacious to blame State, asserting fraud or State coercion. Rather, it is clergy which has voluntarily sought State permission to be that which is already lawful. They unwittingly organize that which our forefathers abominated, government licensed State-Churches. Of even more recent origin is 501c3 status for churches. Churches did not all of a sudden become tax-exempt and tax deductible in 1954 when they were at that time granted that "privilege" by Congress, and added to IRC section 501c3. The fact is that churches have always been treated as non-taxable (a vastly superior status to tax-exempt) and tax-deductible, by virtue of a centuries-old portion of English Common Law known as "the Law of Charities." The 501c3 is merely a reflection (or an admission) of Law of Charities. The obvious question then is: Why do churches seek permission from IRS for a status that even IRS acknowledges they already have? It's certainly not due to malicious intent on part of clergy. Clearly, it is rooted in ignorance. Ignorance (particularly of law) makes them easy prey for Caesar's emissaries --the so-called "licensed professionals," who have created a multi-billion dollar government compliance industry, with church as a lucrative clientele.
| | The Angel MetatronWritten by Judi Singleton
Metatron (Other variations on his name are; Metatetron, Merraton, and Metaraon.) In researching angel Metatron I found tales were very different. I found at least two separate versions exist. The first version states he came into being when God created world.The second claims that he was first a human named Enoch and eventually was transformed into a fiery angel. Metatron was considered by Kabbalists to be at crown of Kabbalah, or Tree of Existence as Angel of Lord. In this role he was siad to have given Kabbalah to humankind. He was considered to be closest to throne of God. Metatron is also known as first and last of Archangels and is variously called that Chancellor of Heaven, Angel of Covenant and King of Angels. He was considered most powerful of angels. In second version of story he was Enoch who had been taken up by God and given a coronet, 72 wings and innumberable eyes. His flesh was transformed into flame, his sinews into fire, his bones into embers. He was surrounded by storm, whirlwinds, thunder and lightning. His size is extraordinary, as wide and long as Earth itself. Metatron has also been identified as Liberating Angel and one who wrestled with Jacob; one who stayed Abraham's hand from sacrificing his son Isaac; and one who led Hebrews through forty years in wilderness. He has also been credited with authorship of Psalms 37:25. Enoch had been a scribe, and as Metatron he continued his functions, becoming heavenly scribe who resides in 7th Heaven and transcibes all heavenly and earthly events. He may be shown with a pen in his hand, recording deeds of our life in a book, rather as many people describe Akashic Records. He was to be seated at entrance of seventh (highest) heaven upon a magnificent throne and all who approached throne of God should first approach him, for he was henceforth prince of wisdom and prince of understanding. The Lord turned him into a burning, living flame, his sinews like hottest of fire, his eyes like torches, and his flesh very essence of heat. Sitting next to God, Enoch was instructed in wisdom, and using his skills as a scribe, prepared three hundred and sixty-six books. When he learned everything, a most significant thing happened. God revealed to him great secrets -- some of which are even kept secret from angels! These included secrets of Creation, duration of time world will survive, and what will happen after its demise. At end of these discussions, Enoch returned to earth for a limited time, to instruct everyone, including his sons, in all he learned. After thirty days, angels returned him to Heaven. Metatron's primary area of control is chanelling. This may not seem obvious, but what is his primary role? Channeling orders of God to those who cannot face God's presence. Thus, Metatron is good to call on for advice on and can help unblock energy that is stuck. Also, when one is having difficulty believing that they can reach and feel energy of God, Metatron is an excellent angel to call upon for assistance in bringing energy of God into your life. Metatron helps us communicate wirh God and brings God's presence to us and to open up our hearts in order to better recieve this guidence.
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