This was posted on ESMB and then Karen De La Carriere reposted it to Twitter and Facebook.
It is worth taking note. Letters from CONSTITUENTS are treated seriously by elected officials. The more US Congressmen there are who have been made aware of the issue, the greater the chance of something being done. The IRS is answerable to Congress. Sooner or later this is going to become an issue that one or more politicians will feel they can gain popularity with. When that day happens, the more there are to jump on the bandwagon the better.
Writing to your Congressman IS an effective means of doing something about it.
Kudos to David Gibbons.
Click to enlarge if you have trouble reading it. Karen kindly retyped it on Facebook, and I include that below also.
David Gibbons
XXXXXX
XXXXX
Dear David Gibbons:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the Church of Scientology’s tax-exempt status. I appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns with me.
The tax-exempt status of the Church of Scientology has been a controversial issue for nearly 50 years, when the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revoked the entity’s tax exemption in 1967 because its activities were determined to be commercial and operated for the benefit of individuals, not the public. After a number of lawsuits and legal challenges to regain its tax-exempt status, the IRS recognized the church as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization in 1993. To date, questions remain as to how and why the church’s status was reinstated.
Recently, a documentary aired that reignited calls to the IRS to investigate the church and reexamine its nonprofit status. Moreover, a petition onWhitehouse.gov calling for the revocation of the church’s tax-exempt status has been started. While I have not yet seen the documentary, I’m troubled by what I have read.
To obtain and maintain tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), an organization, including churches, must be organized and operated exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and other purposes for public, not private, benefit. I don’t believe that Congress should be defining what is, and what is not, a religion, though I do believe that we should evaluate federal tax laws governing tax-exempt organizations and the enforcement of those laws to ensure that nonprofits are meeting their charitable, religious, and educational purposes. Based on what is being reported about the church and its activities, it appears that an IRS review of the organization would be justifiable.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Please continue to contact me on all issues of importance to you and our district.
Sincerely,
I am an ex-scientologist. I told Marita Ulvskog, a minister in the swedish government to keep the movement of $cientology low because victims of crime handle it.
Note to the COB, take heed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXa2sXznPJI
Only problem is the first sign of a politician giving anything approaching raised eyebrows to the IRS status will result in CoS making a tidy campaign donation. They know anytime a politician might be thinking of a crusade or hell just a minor amendment or vote that a campaign donation will take care of the matter. This is the problem with the USA political system/ campaign finance system and Citizen’s United decision has only made it worse. Congressman may find a good way for a quick ten thousand to their campaign coffers is to make some slightly aggressive comment about CoS tax status.
On the up side the CoS has one shitty, overpriced lobbying firm handling most of its business in D.C. We can only hope they continue to use it and the fanatical SO members for their political endeavors in D.C.
Mike Thompson is my representative! I generally find him to be an approachable and decent guy. Kudos to him listening to his constiuents!
Mike,
And yes of course it is very important to write to your Senators/Congressman.
http://whoismyrepresentative.com/
More and more, I feel like no religion — none whatsoever — should have tax exempt status.
Yes, some religions are benign, and some are fine and inspirational at least in substantial part. But, setting Scientology aside for a moment, you don’t have to look far into too many religions that are supposedly mainstream to see the bubbling irrationality, the thought stifling, the superiority complex that leads to horrendous crimes against non-believers around the world, and so on.
In the US we have separation of church and state. But by not taxing churches and giving churches a break, is that not a connection of church and state from one way of looking at it?
But back to the realistic goal at hand: yes, Scientology’s tax exempt status should be revoked based on multiple violations of 501(c)3 rules. And then for good measure, staff should be required to be paid at least minimum wage, and should be given medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits.
My two cents.
FOTF2012 said, “In the US we have separation of church and state. But by not taxing churches and giving churches a break, is that not a connection of church and state from one way of looking at it? ”
Actually we have ONLY: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”
That’s it. No other part of the Constitution dealing with religion. There is no “separation of church and state” wording other than prohibiting congress from establishing or prohibiting its free exercise. So, granting exemption (to anyone) from paying income tax is constitutional.
Mike,
Great post.
In addition to sending complaints to the IRS, it is imperative also to report any known Church violations to:
The State of California Department of Justice
Office of the Attorney General. CHARITIES
https://oag.ca.gov/charities
Complaint form CT9: https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/charities/charitable/ct9.pdf?
The reason being that some of the key Scientology corporations and they corporate officers are in California, and fall under the jurisdiction of the California Attorney General.
Here is a link: https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/charities/publications/guide_for_charities.pdf?
Some of the worst civil right abuses, incarcerations, beatings, stalking, surveillance, financial crimes, tax evasion and various GO/OSA felonies have occurred and are ongoing right here in California.
They must be reported on Form CT9 to the California Attorney General.
Elected officials DO record concerns of voters in their districts. If enough legislators have backing of their constituents they act. They WANT to know what concerns people in their districts have. They want to be champions for causes. Tommy J is SO right on the money, pun intended. When it comes to tax dollars lost then scrutiny will be applied. Constant pressure does work. If nothing else, the Co $ will have to justify and explain the use of so many buildings, many empty. Their list of tax exempt properties will shrink under scrutiny and that should be the goal: whittle away at the list. Tax status will not be yanked in one fell swing.
OTD-OUTTHEDOOR, DO write your congress critter. DON’T target the empty buildings as much as the total lack of community activities. Owning idle property is NOT a violation. NOT helping the public good via ACTIVITIES is the problem.
It will take a LOT of us writing congress as the IRS, under Obama ignores Congress and commits felonies in the open.
David C. Gibbons, would you mind posting your letter via Mike or ESMB? I want to see what you said to get their attention, and use it as a starting point for mine. Thanks.
Dear Katniss: you asked me for the text of my letter: it went something like this:
——————————
Dear Congressperson X,
Recently attention has been placed on the Scientology organization with the HBO expose. As a victim of this organization, I wonder if the time is now ripe for a hearing or two on how this group warrants a tax exemption, considering the harm that has been done and is being done to many thousands of Americans.
I understand that Scientology is small potatoes compared to the many other problems our nation faces, but I hope that even a little government effort can greatly reduce the harm Scientology does to individuals, families, and to general society by sucking the money and energy from its victims. (I know this from bitter personal experience, having been involved with Scientology for decades.)
The status Scientology has as a so-called church, it’s complicated corporate structure, and it’s willingness to use huge amounts of money on legal attacks to silence its critics notwithstanding, it is far past time that any American should be victimized by this predatory organization.
Many more of us ex-Scientologists are now speaking up, as the internet has made it much harder for Scientology’s money and lawyers to shut us up. Still, some help from our government at least in the form of a review of the IRS decision to grant Scientology tax-exempt status would be a great help in defanging this organization.
Respectfully,
(Insert name of concerned citizen here)
—————–
This is what I felt I could say honestly, with polite concern for the well-being of my fellow Americans as the theme. I hope others are inspired to speak in their own words to their representatives. Something CAN be done about it.
Thanks!
Thanks, David!
David posted on ESMB: http://www.forum.exscn.net/showthread.php?39523-A-response-to-writing-a-letter-to-my-Congressman-in-May-2015&p=1038080&viewfull=1#post1038080
Quote:
Someone in Rinder’s Blog gang asked me for the text of my letter: it went something like this:
——————————
Dear Congressperson X,
Recently attention has been placed on the Scientology organization with the HBO expose. As a victim of this organization, I wonder if the time is now ripe for a hearing or two on how this group warrants a tax exemption, considering the harm that has been done and is being done to many thousands of Americans.
I understand that Scientology is small potatoes compared to the many other problems our nation faces, but I hope that even a little government effort can greatly reduce the harm Scientology does to individuals, families, and to general society by sucking the money and energy from its victims. (I know this from bitter personal experience, having been involved with Scientology for decades.)
The status Scientology has as a so-called church, it’s complicated corporate structure, and it’s willingness to use huge amounts of money on legal attacks to silence its critics notwithstanding, it is far past time that any American should be victimized by this predatory organization.
Many more of us ex-Scientologists are now speaking up, as the internet has made it much harder for Scientology’s money and lawyers to shut us up. Still, some help from our government at least in the form of a review of the IRS decision to grant Scientology tax-exempt status would be a great help in defanging this organization.
Respectfully,
(Insert name of concerned citizen here)
While I hope that the tax-exempt status will be reversed, the IRS tends to do exactly as it pleases…to reverse the status would be an admission that they granted the status in error to begin with, simply because they wanted the many Scientology based lawsuits to disappear…the IRS doesn’t like to ever admit they were wrong.
Hi Kathy H, I had some dealings with 2 IRS Agents in 79 1 yr after I blew the SO. Showed up out of the blue to ask me about a night of check signing I was pulled off post to do for Asho F. My handwriting was good so I spent the night doing checks to everywhere. When they came around I frankly could not even remember the amounts but those 2 treated me as crazy kept their sunglasses on the whole time & threw $200.00 @ me when they left.Wonderful! I am not a cynical person @ all but I agree with you.Take Care Ann B
You can go to house.gov and find your congressman there and you can write a message and send it to him/her. Congress has made it easy for you to communicate to your Congressman. You will get a response. Get friends in your area to write as well. The other thing you can do is call their district office and schedule a visit. You can get thru the above referenced website or do directly to your congressman’s website. State that you are a constituent and would like to speak to the Congressman. They usually block out time to talk. Ask for no more than 15 minutes. Take a couple of friends with you. Come prepared with a letter and docs to leave behind. If your congressman can’t meet with you you can meet with their Legislative or Policy Aides or Chief of Staff. If anyone tries to give you the runaround politely remind them you are a constituent. Be friendly and polite. Hope this helps. There is no mystery or complexity as to accessibility and communication to our representatives at any level.
Barring some evidence for inurement, which most certainly exist, I don’t see Scientology losing its tax except status. I don’t know if it would even be a good idea at this point. If tax except status is withdrawn at this point, the drones will say that government suppression killed Scientology. If it dies on its own, they don’t have that excuse.
Thomas, I agree that it’s a long shot and an unnecessary one to have the church’s tax exempt status revoked. I wrote my congressman because I think it was my duty to do so but I’m not taking it any further. I believe the church and scientology are both as good as dead. Stripping the church of its tax status would be like stripping a soldier of his medals before the firing squad takes aim. A mere formality but expressive of well-deserved contempt. Those die-hards who wish to delude themselves into thinking this is all the doings of evil outside influences, will have time in the form of the rest of their lives to resolve the contradictions between reality and their beliefs. I think most will find resolution eventually. I can understand procrastinating on owning up to the terrible truth. They have betrayed their mothers, their brothers, their daughters, their husbands, their sons and their fathers. Not an easy thing to face. I think most members will come around and there will be lots of stories about reunited families and books written by the former die-hards with titles like, “I Went Clear to Hell.”
Hi Roger, Hit it right where it needs to be.You know I love the title ” I Went Clear To Hell ” Priceless & so True.XO Ann B.
“If tax except status is withdrawn at this point, the drones will say that government suppression killed Scientology.”
Whatever reason COS dies, the drones will always find someone or something outside of COS to blame. SO it might as well die from taking away the tax exempt status.
AFAIAC the sooner it dies, the better.
Well said, but revoking the tax exempt status sends a very large signal. That “light” of that signal could also help more to wake up and escape.
Secondly, it will save the average US person some tax as they will not have to subsidise this chuch. By getting CoS to pay their tax bill less money is available to be squandered on DLHDM & cronies. Even if it is only $10 to the $100 000. Every little helps. Of course there is a certain type of intelligent criminal who will with similar inclined friends that just happen to be accountants and don’t worry they are good at finding ways of avoiding their fair share of taxes (not unique to CoS, sadly).
Still I believe a persistent and sustained attack is what is needed. You bring down a castle by constant onslaught upon the foundations (long, hard, tedious, and very consistent work), but the end result is spectacular when that whole building comes tumbling down upon itself.
My most sincere heartfelt thanks goes to all those exes who have spoken out. You have no idea what it has meant to me. I appreciate and love all you do.
That tax exemption is the most attractive thing to the Cetus americani who are keeping the whole criminal enterprise afloat. You think Bob Duggan would be forking over millions if he couldn’t write it off on his tax returns? NANCY CARTWRIGHT BART SIMPSON would have to find an overseas hole for her voice-over money instead of being the butt of jokes out here in the wog world for plowing her cash into the black hole that is Valley Idle Morgue. And Grant and Elena Cardone, the King and Queen of the Douchebags, would have to find a convenient island in the Caribbean to live on, hopefully never to be heard from again.
Kill the head, and the body dies. The head is the tax exemption. Do what you can, please.
+100 mil
Espi, I hope you won’t mind my screen-grabbing your post for a tweet about this. I want to encourage as many people as possible to contact their Reps about this. If you’d rather I didn’t I am cool with that too.
No problem at all with that. You’ve got some good Twitter connections, and you can get the word out. Go for it.
I believe the jig is up for Church of Scientology…
Writing your Congressman about Scientology’s tax exempt status is the right thing to do. Reading this made me realize that my Congressman has retired and a new person has assumed his post on January 1st. I had written to the previous one almost two years ago, so now it’s time to write again. This time with new knowledge and ammunition.
It’s also good to write to media outlets and journalists who take on Scientology publicly. Let them know that their work is important and valuable for the public good. Speak from your own experience. Networks may look at ratings but public opinion can be even more powerful.
Happy Memorial Day to all. This is the week end that my family brings flowers to the graves of my father and brother. It’s a special day for us and for many others.
I sent a letter to Georgia US Senator, Johnny Isakson stating among other things, it is a very popular issue with citizens in general to have the church’s tax exempt status revoked and that there are many people who want to see that criminal organization face justice. It’s a popular issue and it’s bipartisan! ( A rare treat for a politician.)
Mike this is an excellent letter and answer from his congressman. Although the congressman didn’t promise to do anything, at least he acked that there was a problem with the church doing those things. Earlier on your site or somewhere, I think I saw a list of names and addresses of CA congressmen. Or did I just imagine that? Is there some place we can go to get the names and addresses of our particular congressman and thus route our letter to the right person?
http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
Thank you, NOLAGirl!
http://ziplook.house.gov/htbin/findrep?ZIP5
Thanks Chee Chalker
Cindy, if you are in the Foothills it would be Congressman Adam Schiff.
Thank you Pepper!
Scientology Money Project http://scientologymoneyproject.com/2015/04/14/how-to-simply-and-effectively-report-the-church-of-scientology-to-the-irs/ has the 13909 complaint form and the email address for IRS complaints. Also the snail mail for the person in charge of tax exempt. I sent complaints to them and copied my congressperson, senators, and also Dr Raul Ruiz (represents Hemet) and David Jolly (represents Clearwater). Jolly has been safe pointed but I don’t know about Ruiz – I think he is new. Their contact info is available on Google.
I listed all the cc:s in my cover letter so everyone got the same thing and knows who else got it. Pretty easy, just some extra printing.
I also attached a printed copy of Alex Gibney’s op ed in the LA Times, which is at http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-0412-gibney-scientology-20150412-story.html#page=1
Thanks, Free Mind!
Go to house.gov.
Here’s a thought I believe people on both sides of the political fence can agree on….TAX the Church of Scientology. It masquerades as a church only to evade taxes. Period.
To every congressman/woman or senator….how would you like a big fat raise for your state or your region without raising taxes, or without cutting programs? Revoke Scientology’s tax exempt status.
What could you do with a few million dollars for your state or region? It would be like finding a whole bunch of 20s in a pair of pants pockets.
Be the first one to make a stand for this. You will be a hero from EVERY voter in your region. Go ahead, be the first one. Break the story. Create the story. Be the tip of the arrow that pierces the smoke and mirrors veil that calls itself a church.
I could list 100 things you could do with that new money that will be created by removing the tax exempt status, but I’ll leave that up to your imagination. The possibilities are endless.
Who knows, perhaps this could be the beginning of changing Left vs Right, and a return to “people.” Lower taxes with the new money generated, and enhance programs at the same time. All without upsetting one single voter (except maybe the 15 who work at the nearest Ideal Org).
Your worries of tackling Scientology are over. Go ahead and do the right thing, and record your place in history as THE individual who made it happen.
Happy Memorial Day
Great comment John! I was thinking how the U.S government could actually attack Scientology’s maze of organizations and umbrella corporations–which on the surface seems like a legal nightmare, even for the government. What about using the “conspiracy” tactic our government used during the Nuremberg trials against the Nazi’s? Instead of trying convict the multitude of Scientology organizations, why not unite the indictment and label the whole Scientology organization as fraudulent and make them accountable? This would not infringe on peoples right to practice and believe in the Scientology’s religion however it would give our officials the best position to stop the financial corruption Scientology’s tax exempt status allows them to practice.
What a pleasant surprise……..dead agenting of Congressman Mike Thompson begins in 3…….2…..1
I’m writing my congressman today and I’m writing to my high school friend who is now in Congress (different district)
This will go down as Tommy Davis’ billion dollar mistake.
If Tommy had been kinder to Paul Haggis (re: Prop 8 issue) instead of his usually arrogant nasty self then maybe Paul woul have never left and
Never spoken to Larry Wright would who have then
Never written an article about Paul which would have
Never lead to the Co$’ response to the article which would have
Never lead to Larry’s book which would have.
Never lead to Alex Gibney’s movie which would have
Never lead to the reexamination of this issue
Now more than ever we need people involved to come forward with what they know…..
Great post Chee Chalker – the butterfly effect. Let’s all be butterflies and write to our Congressmen. I’m going to call and write to mine. The last time I called, he actually answered the phone. Aww but you know lightening never strikes in the same place.
The “butterfly effect.”. I am a butterfly who knew? I really like the sound of that!
So true and well said. The mean spirited ness of Scientologists is the reason behind each and every complaint against the Church of Scientology.
Too bad on the grade chart there are not abilities gained such as, The ability to care about the person in front of you. The ability to be merciful. The ability to have compassion. The ability to be nice. The ability to be forgiving. The ability to be understanding. The ability to respect others. The ability to treat others as you would want to be treated yourself. Etc etc….
You mean the ability to cease “being” a sociopath?
Or a sadist, bully, witch hunter, oppressor, tormentor, persecutor, coercer, despot, taskmaster, slave driver, dictator, despot, tyrant, bounty hunter, prosecutor, dick police, thought police, Nazi, bigot, racist, hater, misanthrope, blood hound, adversary, inquisitor, attacker
backbiter, archenemy, assailant, criminal, defamer, betrayer, contender, defiler, detractor, falsifier, foe, guerrilla, rival, saboteur, slanderer, terrorist, opponent, or vilifier.
In other words, Scientology never claimed it could create a decent human being from a mean one. This, not even Hubbard claimed he could deliver with Scientology.
This follows the church’s operating basis:
1) Lie
2) Have the opportunity to do the right thing, but refuse to do so
3) Flap
Go here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/Citizens_Briefing_Book_Final2.pdf
Page #26
Looking good … looking good.
In the aftermath of Fred Goldburg having granted the criminal enterprise tax exemption as a fake “charity,” there was an internal investigation in to the possibility of asking for possible criminal charges to be sought through the IRS’s DAs and CID against individuals responsible for the fraudulent exemption within the IRS, due to the possibility of racketeering, blackmail, and extortion Scientology was proven (to the satisfaction of some Treasury and IRS employees) to have committed against Goldburg and others to “leverage” that fraudulent exemption.
The ROI — Report Of Investigation — which resulted is supposed to be public record. Such documents are almost always public record and can be retrieved through a Freedom Of Information Act request which has almost always been honored right up until this particular ROI..
The first time I requested the ROI I was informed that the document I was requested did not exist. I appealed noting (for the same time) that I knew the document existed and I once again gave its number. The second time (my first appeal) I was informed that the document did exist (I knew that) however it could not be released doe to the document containing “sensitive information related to national security.”
I appealed a second time, informing the IRS FOIA office that I knew damn well that the document had nothing to do with “national security” and I detailed my understanding of what was in the document. The IRS eventually replied that they could not provide the document because it “contains return information.”
My second appeal informed the IRS once again that I was aware that the document did *not* contain someone’s tax return information, that I knew the document covered an investigation in to possible racketeering committed by Scientology against Goldburg and possibly other IRS officials and that the document reported the results of the investigation, including a summary of Goldburg’s refusal to submit to serious interrogation with police detective and IRS CID personnel present.
My second appeal was ignored. So I went from
1: That document doesn’t exist
2: That document is National Security, denied
3: That document is a tax return, denied
4: We can’t hear you any more
This is the first response that I got from the IRS, typed in to a.r.s back in 2003, I believe it was. In my paper archives stored off site in Nevada I have the other denial letters which I need to retrieve and scan in to the computer and share — along with a Department of State letter indicating that Federal authorities are still searching for Heber Jentzsch to physically extradite him back to Spain to stand trial.
-=-
This is in response to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request dated September 7, 2001, seeking access to records maintained by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA.)
We received your request on September 18, 2001. Specifically, you asked for a copy of TIGTA report “9-9801-0002” and “additional investigative documentation both public and private which covers allegations both confirmed and suspected of blackmail, extortion, and other traditional racketeering activities instigated by the Church of Scientology which may have motivated the Closing Agreement.”
A review of the TIGTA indices revealed that one (1) file is responsive to your request for a copy of TIGTA report “8-9801-0002.” TIGTA Report Of Investigation (ROI) # 8-9801-0002 consists of one hundred and twenty-three (123) pages. Sixty-two (62) of these pages constitute information which originated with the IRS; we are therefore referring those pages to the IRS for a release determination and a direct reply to you.
If you have any questions concerning these records, you may contact that agency at the following address:
Internal Revenue Service
HQ Disclosure Office
CL:GLD:A2:HQD
Room 1571
1111 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20224
-=-
I should note that it took two and a half years to get the IRS and U. S. Treasury to deny releasing the document and then stop responding to my demands. The ROI is public record but obviously the IRS does not want the document to be released in to the public domain.
This is the kind of stuff that can be confirmed or denied by people involved in the tax exemption process. Surely by now the FBI has this information…….. What is the hold up?
Here’s your original post on alt.religion.scientology, Fred.
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!search/This$20is$20in$20response$20to$20your$20Freedom$20of$20Information$20Act$20(FOIA)$20request$20dated$20September$207$2C$202001/alt.religion.scientology/NUDPzRMJMkM/Ge-jmb6Bt34J
Anyone can go to groups dot google dot com and pull up all of those posts from the early Internet war against Scientology.
Lots of work by lots of good people can be found there attempting to do something about Scientology, while under almost constant surveillance and fair game.
Thanks for everything you’ve done, Fred.
If enough of us act, perhaps the time is right for the government to finally do something about it.
Alanzo
Always to save face! We all know the church black maled our reps of our government,our IRS that is vital for the country to exist !!!! Period,no matter what,the government looks like absolute fools either way,might as well just revoke there entire case it should be thrown in the shredder,this cherch tax exemption taken absolutely and all money gained from tax free hoarding seized!! a billion dollars could help our defeciet right now! if the cherch has a friggen problem with it they can expect,espionage,treason,extortion,blackmale,racketeering and the entire book thrown at it! Done,keeping it as it is just makes the IRS look like eggheads and gives everyone in any faith based cult the great idea to start lawsuits everywhere in every state,just like scientology did.
Fred. May I suggest if you have not done so already to send your story with documents to your Congressman and politely ask for his help to obtain these records. I would figure that a Congressman’s request will be dealt with differently by the IRS than yours. AnEx