DiaSciRev

This was a result of our campaign to write to Congressmen who knows when, regarding the revokal of Scientology's tax exemption statue.

Anyone have recommendations for a rebuttal? Or should I just give this up and focus my attentions elsewhere in the campaign?

"Man is probably richest in the numbers of ways he can make suckers out of his fellow man with lies." - L. Ron Hubbard

"Anonymity is the truest expression of altruism." - Anonymous

Anonymous

Read his report first. Did you send something for him/his staff to read too?

Scythe

They always seems to dodge the question in a way or another. Was your question about the unfair advantage Scientology enjoys compared to legitimate religions or just about the reason why they are tax exempt?

Ravenmore

Form Letter. He never read it at all... it's not even dealing specifically with it. Maybe try sending him a few more letters and hope he actually READS one?

by the way, what's the enclosed thing about exactly? Is it helpful or something to fight?

Ask your local Scientologist about Xenu and how he created Body Theatens Today!

Scientology: The REAL Bridge to Nowhere.

3rdMan

Could you give us more details on what you sent him? Or link us to the thread where this was planned? Not sure how to help if we don't know what you sent him.

and Bob was there too, and bacon!

Where I used to lulz: http://chicagosaysno.forumup.com/ind...=chicagosaysno
Where I mine for lulz now: http://www.anonymousdc.com/forums/

http://www.vimeo.com/user939620/videos <<<my vids for Chicago and DC

qwertyuiop1

Bring up the tax status they have violates the establishment clause of the constitution.

Tax the Cult of Scientology Bring this up - There is tons of info here

Can you post the attachement he sent you? it might be interesting.

'...The average age of the world's greatest civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through this sequence: "from bondage to spiritual faith; From spiritual faith to great courage; From courage to liberty; From liberty to abundance; From abundance to selfishness; From selfishness to apathy; From apathy to dependence; From dependence back into bondage.'

Alexander Frazier Tytler, published in 1776

mrfyde

The problem (in my understanding is) that we don't exactly have dox on that at least not anymore.

When the CoS went to the S.C. they lost their case. So they had to restructure in 1991 and attempt to make that famous settlement of what we call the "secret deal". My understanding that most settlements of that nature are not open for the public to view. However 90% of the settlement was leaked in the Wall Street Journal. What ever is in the remaining 10% will likely show who leaked it.

CoS pretty much got raeped in that deal, and they where the IRS's bitch for the next few years (like 6 or 7) where they had to submit to all sorts of things or pay $50M fines etc.

People who believe David Miscavige believe that the cult came out a billion dollars ahead in that deal. I don't. The Cult also was required to hire a CPA firm to basically give themselevs a tax audit and it had to be one that had no cult ties and from a list of 10 that tha IRS provided to them.

The IRS did make a special arrangement with the cult about certain deductions for auditing and said that those arrangements that would not apply to any religion because no other religion operates the way that particular cult is set up. Those "special" arrangements could be overturned if laws where passed against them.

And the main point people miss about the settlement / "secret deal" is that it expired in 1999.

I am not an expert on the subject of the tax exempt status of the CoS but there are a few (maybe many) on here (wwp) that understand it much better than me. Tikk for one. But if we are going to take the time to ask government for something, the least we can do when we get their attention is know what it is we are asking for.

Anonymous excels at one thing, that is spreading information around the globe at nearly 80% of the speed of light and that is kryptonite to organizations that rely on secrecy.

DiaSciRev

OK, updates;

This was part of the You Got Mail campaign in January. I used one of the templates in this post, updated of course for America.

As for the file, I've attached it here.

"Man is probably richest in the numbers of ways he can make suckers out of his fellow man with lies." - L. Ron Hubbard

"Anonymity is the truest expression of altruism." - Anonymous

Anonymous

So why the Church of Scientology and all of its related religious corporations does have a special agreement with the IRS (a government entity,) resulting in benefits not available to other religions?

mrfyde

Or at least it seems they did at one time. They may still be. You might want to define what we believe members of the CoS are getting that others are not.

Anonymous excels at one thing, that is spreading information around the globe at nearly 80% of the speed of light and that is kryptonite to organizations that rely on secrecy.

Anonymous

Sklar - Scientology Case Enters Critical Stage Before Ninth Circuit JONATHAN TURLEY:

mrfyde

Yep and that is an good argument. But the defense also had other reasons why the Sklars didn't meet the requirements that seem to be tailored to the CoS only.(going on my memory only) Because there is no religion like the CoS and they got to tailor their "religion" to meet the existing laws unlike most.

The big problem the Sklars faced seems to me to be that they are not allowed to view the entire document that was leaked. And the DoJ does not seem to be able to show it to the court with out violating other laws. (or maybe they just dont want to) Again I will stand down to anyone who fully understands the agreement. Or even if they can tell me if the IRS deal for exemptions did not expire with the rest of the agreement in 1999.

(Do we have ANY tax paying ex's who have left since April 2000 ???)

Edit: it said the judge "NOTED" when the statement should be "ASKED" unless the punctuation of the statement was a typo. They put a "?" instead of a period.

Anonymous excels at one thing, that is spreading information around the globe at nearly 80% of the speed of light and that is kryptonite to organizations that rely on secrecy.

anon555

you probably wont get anywhere, but you could try another letter along the lines of

"I absolutely agree with you that the 1st amendment must be upheld, this is why I am deeply concerned about the 'special arrangement' scientology has with the IRS. Why are they allowed deductions that I myself as a _______(insert personal religious belief) am not entitled to." throw in some quotes from judges in the Sklar case.

Also, include a copy of the first reply, that way, low level staff person knows you've already received 'Form letter A' and will hopefully move you up to lesser low level staff person.

A.Non Hubbard

Also, keep this senator's name down somewhere. This senator deserves to be embarassed when the child labour/human trafficking becomes well known. "This is how Senator X aided"

Who Is David Miscavige?

mrfyde

That might at least get a statement about the situation from the government. It would help if it was from a "key state". Or from someone who sponsors TIP laws/ or labor laws.

Anonymous excels at one thing, that is spreading information around the globe at nearly 80% of the speed of light and that is kryptonite to organizations that rely on secrecy.

mrfyde

Ironically the same day I post in this forum, I check my e-mail and it seems Friday MY SENATOR decides to also send me a form letter on the same topic. I don't even remember writting this senator since November. Pretty sure he/she didn't read my letter but here is the response. (above)

Anonymous excels at one thing, that is spreading information around the globe at nearly 80% of the speed of light and that is kryptonite to organizations that rely on secrecy.

TinyDancer

Here is the quotation from the Court of Appeals in the Sklar case:

Michael Sklar, et ux., Petitioners v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, December 12 2008 decision of the UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT

http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastor...12/0672961.pdf

Also, SCOTUS docket link: http://origin.www.supremecourtus.gov/docket/08-9180.htm

"Ultimately, this is not about religious freedom. In Australia there are no limits on what you can believe. But there are limits on how you can behave. It is called the law, and no-one is above it."
Senator Nicholas Xenophon addressing the Australian Senate, November 17, 2009
"Dude, that's fucking egregious."

SaulTigh

CICO --> Copypasta in, copypasta out.

I've sent men on suicide missions in two different wars now and let me tell you something. It don't make a gods damn bit of difference whether they're riding in a Viper or walking out onto a parade ground. In the end, they're just as dead. So take your piety and your moralizing and your high minded principles and stick 'em someplace safe until you're off this rock and sitting in your nice comfy chair on Colonial One again.

Col. Saul Tigh
SN #219804

Modern Marvels

From last year.

Sen. Feinstein Reply to investigation of COS Exempt Status

They really don't have a clue, do they?

A.Non Hubbard

Has anyone harpooned Jackie Speier? Has she replied?

Who Is David Miscavige?