http://californiansagainsthate.blogspot.com/2008/11/sworn-complaint-filed-against-mormon.html

While I agree the effort to revoke their tax status is probably futile politically, I'd still like to see the church's activities publicly documented so that this myth they've circulated about how it was all individual contributions can be stamped out once and for all. Even those who merely tithed contributed (indirectly) to the Yes on 8 campaign.

While this is not a benign difference in opinion between you and Mormons, Scouting, Catholics, etc and really is addressing oppression, two wrongs don't make a right (pun unintentional but interesting).

There are those within these entities that dissent from orthodoxy. Scouting for All is a good one worth knowing about. There are lots of Catholics who deplore the Church's stance on gay people (and take shit for it). Change often comes from within, and those inside who side with you are people worth engaging.

There is no chance in hell that the IRS will even seriously consider stripping the Mormon church of its tax-exempt status. In order to strip the church's 501(c)(3) status, it would have to be shown that a "substantial part" of the Mormon church, as a whole, is devoted to influencing legislation. By any measure, the church's involvement here is not a "substantial part" of the church's overall operations. For example, courts have held that when less than 5 percent of an organization's activities are devoted to lobbying, it is presumptively not a "substantial part." Seasongood v. Commissioner, 227 F.2d 907. Does anyone really think that the Mormon church devoted more than 5 percent of its global activities to influencing Prop 8?

Legal arguments aside, any progressive should be repulsed by the ultimate goal of the campaign to strip the Mormon church of its tax-exempt status. After all, its not the tax-exempt status that we're after. The goal here is to stifle the right of religious groups to speak (and act) as they choose. I am as disgusted as anyone about what the church said about my community and my marriage to Brian. But are we really willing to go so far as to say that they shouldn't be allowed to speak because we disagree or detest what they have to say? It is sophomorically cliché, but I will quote Voltaire anyway: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

Honestly we are not going to strip Rev Wright's church for helping Obama . . . are we?

The Church did, if fact, contribute at least $2000 directly the Yes campaign, and participated in a lot more campaigning activities that you seem to be aware of here.

If you're curious about the Church's other Prop 8 campaigning activities, I've made a blog post that details much of it: http://www.civlib.com/2008/11/how-to-file-complaint-asking-irs-to.html

Even without this damning fact, its accepted truth (as far as I know) that the LDS church presidency sent a letter to LDS bishops that which was read aloud in all California State LDS Churches that instructs members to "do all you can to support [Proposition 8] by donating of your means and time." ( http://wikileaks.org/leak/first-presidency-letter-california.pdf/ ). That strikes me as a not-insubstantial lobbying effort.

Even if the effort fails, I'd certainly prefer the IRS to scrutinize their practices.

First, the Mormon Church did direct funds in support of Prop 8.

Secondly, they provided resources — including space and call centers — for lobbying on a specific piece of legislation.

Third, they DID lobby for a specific piece of legislation in their daily operations.

Fourth, I won't shed even a small tear if the Mormons are tied up in IRS investigations for the next two years. Couldn't happen to a nicer group.

Mean? Perhaps even unlibertarian? I guess. But hey, if the Libertarian Party can nominate Bob F'ing Barr, then I can be uncharitable towards a powerful, well-funded bigot organization.