The tax exempt status of church-owned real property (real estate) (as
long as it is used for church purposes) is a matter of state law on a
state by state basis. Also church purchases of church related goods is
also generally exempt from state taxes. And as well churches have the
501(c)(3) status (if they qualify according to the IRS guidelines) in
reference to federal taxes which is why your gifts to the church are
deductible.
I am not aware of any particular effort during the Reagan administration
to expand the tax exempt status.
What I do recall is that the 1980 election was the first in which the
Christian right made its presence known by massive organizing and
distribution of printed materials. That was when the the terms "pro
family" and such first passed into public use. On that printed material
it always came out that Carter was 100% anti family and Reagan was 100%
pro family.
Carter was the target because he was a well known active church going
born again Baptist - but he was a (dare I say) liberal.
The issue of the tax exempt status arose in that election because one of
the conditions is that no politics can be done in or by a tax exempt
institution. I can say, Go Vote but not vote for who. I can say
candidate A says this and candidate B says that, but if I put a spin on
it and imply this is better than that, that is campaigning and thus a
violation. If I invite a candidate to speak to the people (and no
"campaigning" just being neighborly wink wink) that is ok, as long as
theoretically I would invite every candidate. There were a lot of
questions during and following the election about some religious tax
exempt institutions violating the no politics thing. Also questions -
as there are today - about what the payoffs are for delivering votes.
As far as Joni and religion - as a practicing Christian I have no doubt
that Joni is very well versed in the Scriptures and has an abiding
interest in things religious. I am not a lyrics expert like some of you
and I can't cite a string of lyrics but the references are too often and
too informed to be casual. Even a phrase like "you are in my blood
like holy wine" comes from someone very familiar with Eucharistic
language. That would not be a phrase that would occur to most people,
and as well, speaks to a relationship far more total than
boyfriend/girlfriend or even lovers, it is a complete union in. which,
and through something is present which as I type that makes no sense and
I can't explain it.
Whether it is "get back to the Garden" or Sire of Sorrows or whatever,
the religious and Biblical imagery and themes run through Joni's work.
My guess is she went to Sunday Church School a lot, and went to
confirmation, and took it very seriously and was a very good student and
learner, and while she may not be church goer anymore or have
traditional beliefs (maybe she does, maybe she doesn't, she and I have
never spoken) her life as she sees it is in good part a spiritual,
religious journey.
And I have always thought that about Joni, long before Heijera (another
religious phrase) and long before Tax Free. In fact, Joni's anger in
Tax Free could only (in my opinion) come from someone who takes
spiritual things seriously, and Christianity seriously, and was offended
by the political misuse of the Christian faith for partisan purposes.
Now do I have any clue as to is Joni a Christian, no, because we have
never spoke, but I would suspect yes, albeit not a traditional one (she
challenges thought boundaries too much for that) who is more than
capable of seeing spiritual insights and Truth in many nonChristian
sources.
Vince
