A friend of mine who survived the holocust warned me that,tyrany not confronted early leaves the door wide open for what happened to him to happen to others.

SIGHTINGS

Religious Persecution In America - Unregistered Churches Attacked By Feds Kentucky, Ohio & Indiana Militia Vows To Defend Church! 2-25-00 THIS IS AN SOS FROM THE INDIANAPOLIS BAPTIST TEMPLE. Our church urgently needs your help at this time. We are under a vicious assault from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Justice Department. Many observers have said that it is the greatest attack against religious liberty in the entire two-hundred and twenty-two year history of our nation. We know that it is impossible to believe, but our government is suing our church for $5.1 million in Federal Court. If our church loses this case, it will mean that our religious liberty as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution will be gone forever. Also, every church in America will lose their religious freedom too. This is a case of first impression. The courts have never dealt with this issue before. There is no doubt that President Bill Clinton and Attorney General Janet Reno are totally dedicated to the silencing of this pulpit from preaching the truth of God's Word. The evidence also shows that their goal is to control every church pulpit in America, including yours. The issues at stake are very clear: CAN THE LORD'S CHURCH BE FORCED TO KEEP RECORDS FOR THE IRS, COLLECT TAXES FOR THE IRS, AND SUBMIT TAXES TO THE IRS from the tithes and offerings of God's people? Tens of thousands of churches in America do none of these things. If our church loses, their church, no doubt, eventually will be targeted too. For more than four years, our church has been under the most intense pressure from this merciless rogue agency. Even though they can cite no law requiring the above mentioned things, they have persisted in their effort to totally crush us. They have made impossible demands, such as providing them a list of all those who have given $100 or more to our church over a three-year period. They have sent agents into our church and confiscated sermon material. They have kept an active file on our church ministry since 1971. The first thing in that file was an article with the headline: BAPTIST HIGH TO STRESS BIBLE. There is also evidence that they have had active surveillance on our church and pastors. If the IRS should prevail in this case, we now have AN OFFICIAL STATE CHURCH IN AMERICA that must totally surrender the sovereignty of the Lord's church to the IRS. The Czar of Religion (cults) in Washington, D.C., will replace the Lord Jesus Christ as the Head of His church. If this case should be lost, the Justice Department may very well file criminal charges against the two of us. This could mean five years in prison, and a $10,000 fine on every count. Our church must have your help immediately. We have asked the various Christian law advocacy groups to help us to no avail. Each that we contacted said that this is not a religious liberty issue; but, the Bible and church history says that it is. The State has always demanded tribute from the Lord's church. The martyrs of the ages cry out that our cause is just. We cannot wage this battle alone. We must have your prayers and financial support. The court costs are crushing. The Biblical Law Center of Redding, California, has agreed to fight for us in Federal Court, but they have no financial base. They and local counsel, which we have been forced to secure, must be paid. Our church has already paid out nearly $70,000. It will take a minimum of $200,000 to go to the Supreme Court. The government has already said that this is where they are going, regardless of how the Federal Judge rules here in Indianapolis. Our congregation has already given sacrificially, but the can only do so much. We must spread the burden and share the load with our brethren across the land. BUT AT ALL COST, WE MUST STOP THE IRS NOW FROM CONTROLLING THE PULPITS OF AMERICA. The New World Order's goal to destroy Biblical religion must be stopped now. Brother Lester Roloff said in 1979, "Roloff Today, Your Church Tomorrow." Well, tomorrow has come. Now it is our church. It will be yours tomorrow. Please help us at this time. Please send as large an offering as possible as soon as possible. For everyone who sends an offering of $10.00, we will send you and audio tape of our attorney, Mr. Al Cunningham, explaining this case in its entirety. For a minimum gift of $25.00, we will send you the four hour video tape which includes Mr. Cunningham, Rev. Greg A. and Dr. Dixon. Also, any church or individual sending a gift of $100 or more, a local business man has donated a page out of an original King James Bible that will be sent to you. We have filed a Motion to Dismiss. We will keep you informed. Please pray intensely for us at this time. We need your help now; no gift is too small. Please pray about this matter and send as large a gift as possible. This letter has not been written by professional fund raisers. If it had been, it would be much more sophisticated. This letter is written with much prayer and trembling and with sincerity from our hearts. We admit that we are not experienced in this area. We promise you that not one dollar you send us for this cause will go to any professional fund raiser. We also commit to you that everything we receive will go to the cost of this battle. Thank you, dear friend, for standing with us as we stand for the rights of all Christians and churches to continue to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in this great land and around the world. And please, may we hear from you soon? Remember the word of Paul, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2) Yours for Christ and liberty, Rev. Greg A. Dixon Dr. Greg Dixon Senior Pastor Pastor Emeritus From http://home.inreach.com/dov/ibtirs.htm Indianapolis Baptist Temple Telephone 317-783-6753 19th Judicial District Fax 317-781-2775 2711 South East Street E-mail gadibt@juno.com Indianapolis, Indiana website http://home.inreach.com/dov/unregchs.htm October 13, 1998 --- PRESS RELEASE Indianapolis Baptist Temple 19th Judicial District 2711 South East Street Indianapolis, Indiana RE: IRS Attack On Indianapolis Baptist Temple FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- April 18, 1988 On April 14, Federal Marshals delivered a summons and complaint from the Internal Revenue Service to Rev. Greg A. Dixon, senior pastor of Indianapolis Baptist Temple and Dr. Greg J. Dixon, Pastor Emeritus. The complaint petitioned the Federal Court in the Southern District of Indiana to render judgment against Indianapolis Baptist Temple on behalf of the Internal Revenue Service for alleged income and FICA Withholding Taxes totaling $5.1 million dollars the IRS alleges the church owes for the years 1987 through 1993. Indianapolis Baptist Temple denies that the church owes taxes in any amount. Many pastors and legal observers across America agree that this case and the issues it raises will make this challenge the most important state vs. church case in American history. The issues include the following questions: 1.Does the IRS have jurisdiction over the Church of Jesus Christ? 2.Does the IRS have authority to define a church? 3.Does the IRS have the authority to force a church to deny its faith that Jesus Christ is the sole Lord and Head of the church and to acknowledge and submit to the IRS as an equal or superior lord and head of the church? 4.Is the church required Biblically or Constitutionally to keep records or collect taxes for the IRS? 5.Must a church forfeit its property and other assets if it does not submit to involuntary servitude in keeping records and collecting taxes for the IRS? 6.Is the U.S. Government establishing an IRS approved state church in America as in Russia, China, Cuba, etc.? 7.Does the IRS have the authority to prescribe or restrict the content of a pastor's sermons? Should the court rule favorably on behalf of the IRS in this case, the IRS will have accomplished its goal in becoming the new, self-proclaimed head of every church in America. All churches in the United States will be State Churches taking their orders from their lord and head, the Internal Revenue Service. Jesus Christ is the sole Lord and Head of Indianapolis Baptist Temple. Remember. What the IRS and the courts can do to one church in America, they can and eventually will do to every church in America. Wake up, preachers! Wake up, Churches! Wake up, America! Contact: Rev. Greg A. Dixon or Dr. Greg Dixon, Pastor Emeritus Phone: 317-783-6753 FAX: 317-781-2775 e-mail: drdixon1@juno.com Web Site: http://home.inreach.com/dov/unregchs.htm AN ANSWER TO THE LATEST IRS ATTACK April 13, 1998 On Thursday, April 14, 1998, one day before the 1997 tax deadline, two U.S. Marshals delivered to Dr. Gregory J. Dixon and one U.S. Marshal delivered to Rev. Greg A. Dixon a summons from the United States District Court from southern Indiana. The summons is a lawsuit between the United States of America vs. Indianapolis Baptist Temple, Gregory Jerome Dixon and NBD Bank for nonpayment of alleged employee withholding tax. The Summons is asking the court to confiscate and foreclose on all properties owned by the Indianapolis Baptist Temple, including a church parsonage. The following is a scenario of events: 1983 IBT lawfully separated herself from the old Indiana corporation. 1984 IBT officially became and began acting as a New Testament Church which is a body of scripturally baptized believers in Jesus Christ. 1995 The IRS officially revoked tax exempt status of Not-A-Church Inc., which IBT had already given up and had not used since January 1, 1984. 1996 The IRS audited 50+ IBT members. 1998 IRS denies church donations as tax deductible gifts. 1998 IRS sues in District Court the Indianapolis Baptist Temple, Gregory J. Dixon and NBD Bank for nonpayment of alleged taxed owed, by asking the court to foreclose on all church properties. The following facts is an answer to the Biblical foundation on which the Indianapolis Baptist Temple rests: 1.There is absolutely no law requiring a New Testament church to collect, withhold and remit taxes of any kind to the IRS or any government agency. 2.A New Testament church has no employees (only corporations have employees), but ministers of the gospel. 3.Every minister of the Indianapolis Baptist Temple that was audited has already voluntarily paid their individual tax liability that has been assessed to the Indianapolis Baptist Temple. 4.In the case, Robert A. Shelley, RLA.T.C. Memo 194.132, at 94-2300(1994), appeal pending, No. 95-2731 (11th Cir. 1995), the tax Judge ruled that church ministers are self-employed. 5.We as a New Testament church stand on our Biblical and Constitution rights based upon the first amendment that Congress nor any government agency cannot and shall not hinder our right to worship or practice our faith. 6.The Indianapolis Baptist Temple receives no benefits nor desires any benefits from the state, including federal identification numbers, tax-exemption, school vouchers or financial subsidies. In return, the Indianapolis Baptist Temple owes absolutely nothing to the state. 7.The first New Testament church Jesus began gave no allegiance to the state and likewise His New Testament church today will not and cannot either. 8.We the Indianapolis Baptist Temple have the constitutional right to assemble without restriction or persecution as long as the Indianapolis Baptist Temple does not hinder ones life, liberty or property. 9.The Indianapolis Baptist Temple is not an unincorporated association but a New Testament church. As the Pastor of a historic Bible Believing Baptist congregation and as members of the same can do nothing else but stay true. 1.to the Lordship of Christ. 2.to our historic Baptist position. 3.to the four root principles of our Baptist heritage. a. Sacred Scripture is sole authority for faith and practice. b. Autonomy of local New Testament church and priesthood of the believer. c. New Testament church is composed of scripturally immersed believers. d. Principle of religious liberty of conscience and opposition to a state church. 4. to our Biblical convictions so that the church might remain the church and have . a meaningful voice in society. Written by the Pastor of Indianapolis Baptist Temple Rev. Greg A. Dixon

GUIDELINES FOR UNREGISTERED CHURCHES (Principle Texts: Matthew 28:18-20; Eph. 5:23-33; I Peter 2:9) 1. Do not incorporate. Do not operate an unincorporated assoc. Church members of a corporation. 2. Do not file any federal, state, county, or city forms. 3. Do not have corporate instruments such as a constitution or bylaws. A statement of faith, covenant, or in-house agreement only are biblical. 4. No corporate officers such as trustees, treasure, clerk, business managers or official board. Only a pastor, superintendent (I Tim. 3:1) and deacons-attendants (I Tim. 3:10). 5. No annual business meetings. No congregational voting. Counsel and consent only asked by the pastor is biblical. 6. Do not apply for a federal employment EIN number or TIN. 7. Do not apply for tax exemption of any kind. The church is not tax exempt but non taxable. 8. Do not use federal regional zip code for address. 9. Do not participate in corporate debt. 10. Deal in cash only unless a bank account can be secured without an I.D. number. 11. Make no agreements concerning discrimination. 12. Accept no inspections of any kind C fire, health, welfare, zoning, building permits, etc. 13. Do not have any employees, only servant/ministers. 14. Pay pastors or others with cash love gifts only. 15. Give no W-2, or W-4 forms to anyone. 16. File no 941 or 1099 forms. Pay no workers compensation or unemployment compensation. 17. Keep no records for the IRS or any other government agency. 18. In most states, own no property. If so, deed must be written right. Call for advice. 19. Have no vehicles registered in the name of the church. 20. Do not recognize or obey any court order addressed to the church or its ministry. 21. Do not take a license to preach the gospel from any level of government. 22. Do not marry anyone with a state marriage license. 23. The church cannot officially be associated with any incorporated denomination, fellowship, or mission board. 24. Do not support missionaries from an Incorporated mission board. 25. Do not put educational ministry under any incorporated agency, secular or religious. No accreditation. 26. Receive no government subsidy, earned income credit, school vouchers, etc. 27. It's best to have no utilities listed in the name of the church. 28. Fly Christian flag only inside and out, flag of Kingdom of Heaven. These are guidelines that we have learned over 15 years. If you have questions please call. Let the church be the church. ___end guidelines Source: Alex Jones radio show http://www.infowars.com/ Published: 2/22/00 Author: self Posted on 02/22/2000 10:40:31 PST by blackcat A Confrontation is shaping up in Indianapolis as Temple Baptist Church of Indianapolis prepares to defy a court order to vacate. The 7th Circuit Court has order the church to vacate and allow the government to confiscate the church on April 10, as a result of failure to pay/withhold taxes. The church is not a 501c3 and has not registered as a church or school, but has continued to operate as a free and independent church and school. Upon receiving the court order, the Indiana militia began to look into the matter. Last night, it was announced that the Kentucky and Ohio militia will join with Indiana to defend the church. Today, on the Alex Jones radio show, there were suggestions that the Tennessee and Michigan militias would also join the effort. The Baptist Temple Church, 19 Judicial District 2711 SE, Indianapolis, has a Sunday attendance of about 1000. The former pastor of 50 years, Pastor Greg Dixon, was on the Alex Jones show today to discuss the matter. His son is currently the pastor of the church. Pastor Dixon said that this is a free country, with free speech and freedom of religion. He said the people of the congregation do not plan to leave their church. He also said that Janet Reno is actually Johnny Reno, that anyone can see that she is a man. Most likely, it's such remarks that have failed to endear the Pastor to the feds who have obviously targeted this church for an April, 2000 confrontation - yes, it's April once again. I don't have any additional information on this matter. If you want more information, you can call the church at 317-783-6753.

-- y2k aware mike (y2k aware mike @ conservation . com), February 26, 2000

Answers

Whoa....pay the church employees only in cash, and fill out no W-2's or pay any income taxes at all on your cash salaries?

Seems to me Jesus was real clear on this one when they asked if we should pay taxes or not. Render unto Caesar what is his, and give God what belongs to God. You are accepting federal reserve notes that belong to the government, so cough up the taxes to the IRS. If you get paid sacks of potatoes and apples and chickens, fine, but if you get a cash income you can pay your taxes just like the rest of us.

For $200,000 you could pay to get 10 babies in China or Romania, etc adopted, and grow up in a Christian home, and not spend their life in a miserable orphanage and end up a street theif or prostitute. So in my opinion, cool it with this issue, and pay your income taxes like the rest of the nation, and send extra bucks to the poor and needy.

-- lyn (lynhettler@hotmail.com), February 26, 2000.

After reading through all this, I think I'll go get a beer. Someone is trying to spoof someone here, and it ain't gonna be me.

-- Richard (Astral-Acres@webtv.net), February 26, 2000.

Pray for your leaders, OBEY YOUR LAWS, and PAY YOUR TAXES.

That is all Jesus requires of us - - we who call ourselves Christians, in the political realm, that is.

What does 'Render to Ceasar that which is Ceasar's, and to God that which is God's' mean to you? I believe it means that we owe worship and obedience to God and taxes to our governments.

This was after Jesus asked whose image was on the coin.

-- Connie (hive@gte.neT), February 26, 2000.

Oh, yes. And please use paragraphs; it's too difficult to read an unbroken account such as you posted.

-- Connie (hive@gte.net), February 26, 2000.

Constitution of the United States, Bill of Rights, Amendment 1: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion....

-- Y2kObserver (Y2kObserver@nowhere.com), February 26, 2000.

'Nor prevent the free exercize thereof...'

-- Connie (hive@gte.net), February 27, 2000.

mike, it won't be mine next....I don't attend those God-forsaken social cliques.

-- canthappen (n@ysayer.com), February 27, 2000.

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr (pic), near Monterey, California

One can view a nicely formated version of the original post on this thread by looking at the source code for the page.

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage), February 27, 2000.

Dancr, thank you. Boy, do I feel stupid. Which of course I am. Hehe. I knew how to look at source html. But until your post it didn't occur to me to use it to view posts like the above. How braindead is that, huh?

-- canthappen (n@ysayer.com), February 27, 2000.

They can pay their stupid taxes like the rest of us. If I'm going to spend my money and energy helping a church that's having trouble with the government, it'll be that one in Portland where the zoning board is telling them they have to limit attendance to 70 people (seats 400), or the other one where the zoning board says they can only have Sunday services, no weddings and funerals. Sorry I don't have links.

-- Markus Archus (apxov@mail.com), February 27, 2000.

Churches DO do a lot of service work in communities which saves the taxpayers money, and should be exempt for that reason, but paying the employees cash and not withholding the proper taxes for them hurts their employees and breaks the law.

-- Connie (hive@gte.net), February 27, 2000.

"12. Accept no inspections of any kind C fire, health, welfare, zoning, building permits, etc."

Sorry, but that won't fly around here. When used honestly, zoning and building permits serve useful functions: they help to keep people safe from shoddy work, which could result in the loss of lives. Too many idiots cut too many corners, so we have to maintain regular inspections.

From just reading this portion of the letter, I can see where the church leaders might be bringing unnecessary trouble upon themselves, especially since they have chosen to operate in the city, rather than a rural setting, where they would be less likely to be bothered.

-- (bigmouth@home.now), February 27, 2000.

Since we have two threads discussing the same topic, I'm going to place these comments on both threads.

Although I am not ready to take up arms I realize that we have some serious problems. The problem is Not with the Government. Our government is NOW doing what governments all through history have done. The problem is the Church. God is just now begining to force "His people" to make some choices. These choices, in my opinion, do not involve taking up guns and going down in a blaze of righteous gun fire. I think that the Church (the body of Christ) if you will, needs to realize that it cannot serve two masters. By some of the comments, I suspect that there is not a real grasp of the issues involved. Does the real church, become the official church, that which is sanctioned by the State, like those "official", government sanctioned churches in China. You see, every time we have an election these days, and every time a legislature is in session (be it city, county, state or Federal) the Church becomes tied, bound, and restricted by more laws. ie:"...has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance." from The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America" (Better known as the Declaration of Independence). Latest down the pike are "hate speech" laws. If the pastor preaches about the sanctity of marriage, as God intended marriage, he now is guilty of hate speech Yes, pay your taxes. Although according to Article I of the Bill of Rights, I thought churches, as an establishment of religion were beyond the pale as far as government was concerned as far as regulating and tax assessment. ie: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof: or abridging the freedom of speech..." Seems to me that government is doing a dandy job of making laws and abridging freedom of speech as far as churches are concerned but but but but but....they are only LAWFULLY doing it to those churches who incorporate. Those churches who apply for non-profit exemptions through 501(c)(3). In others words, the church goes to the State, gets down on its knees, says: "you will be my Master, I will be your servant-child. I voluntarily give up my rights and you can tell me what verses of the bible are OK to preach and how many bathrooms I need to install and how many homosexuals I must employ. I understand that with each passing day that you will be placing more and more restrictions but that is OK with US because we want to be acccepted by the community and loved by everybody in the world, I'm sure Jesus will understand. After all, didn't Paul tell us to live peaceably and not make waves or something like that?"

The attitude displayed by some of the comments distress me. Those who in essence say: "let them pay their taxes like you, me and everybody else". It distresses me because something is wrong with this picture. No concern for the dilema that the church is now going to have to face. God is going to force the issue.

I have concluded that all blessings, including freedom to worship comes from God. Forget about the Constitution. The Constitution has been trashed. It is no longer relevant. Our leaders are no longer bound by those chains. Those who flippantly say "let them pay like the rest of us" are guilty of complacency and perhaps guilty of something that Jesus warned us about: lukewarmness. He would rather we be hot or cold. Lukewarm is disgusting and he will spue it out of his mouth.

In other words, God has taken away our freedom and is allowing government to eat out our substance. Soon we will no longer have the freedom to worship how we choose or where we choose. We, on our watch, have abused our freedom, and now God is removing it. Soon, even those who now say, "let them pay like the rest of us" will be forced to worship underground or will form the Compromising Church. Soon, there will be a price on the head of Christians in America as well as world-wide. Those Christians, who will refuse to compromise that is.

As for me, I do not advocate the taking up of guns. That is not the hill I want to die on. That may give me glory in this world but it doesn't give glory to Jesus. Jesus appeared to me in a dream and placed a call on my life. With His sword upraised, (as He did appear to Joshua just before Joshua was to lead the nation Israel into the Promised Land), Jesus said to me: "Give Me the glory". I want to be one of those saints written about in Revelation 6:9-11. That is my prayer. I want to lay down my life, not loving my life even unto death as a witness to and to the glory of my Lord and Master Jesus Christ. Taking up guns to fight off SWATT Teams or the Marines won't do it.

God has shown me that America has become that whore spoken of in Revelation 17 and 18 and by the prophets of the Old Testament. She has become MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. "And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration". Rev. 17:6. America will burn utterly and will be destroyed. But before that, she will lead the charge to eradicate Christians. Not only in America but throughout the world. We have not even begun to see the evil that the whore is capable of. I would rather go down giving glory to Jesus, not bowing to the whore. Not by guns but BY REFUSING the whore who will tell me NOT to worship my Lord and to NOT speak those things that my Lord wants me to tell others about Him.

Rev. 6:9-11 "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How ong, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And which robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, whould be fulfilled."

...sdb

-- S. David Bays (SDBAYS@prodigy.net), February 27, 2000.

SDB, I appreciate your sentiments, but you are WAY too premature. Nothing going on now in AmeriBabylon even comes close to the Trib described in Revelation.

-- canthappen (n@ysayer.com), February 27, 2000.

Canthappen, how well I know that. That is why is said this: "We have not even begun to see the evil that the whore is capable of." But you must have missed.

Premature? No. Prophet of the Lord. I have seen the burning. ...sdb

-- S. David Bays (SDBAYS@prodigy.net), February 27, 2000.

Now let me say it with correct spelling this time.

Canthappen, how well I know that. That is why I said this: "We have not even begun to see the evil that the whore is capable of." But you must have missed that part. Premature? No. Prophet of the Lord. I have seen her burning like Sodom and Gomorrah and I can read scripture and put 2 + 2 together. ...sdb

-- S. David Bays (SDBAYS@prodigy.net), February 27, 2000.

-- S. David Bays (SDBAYS@prodigy.net), February 27, 2000.

In the old days, obviously before some of you remember, wlefare didn't exist as you've known it. The churches took care of the poor, the hungry and the elderly were not abandoned by their children. This church does not want to pay Caeser because they don't accept anything from Caeser. They are self-supporting and take care of their own. The church members pay real esate (property) taxes for schools their children don't attend. The ministers, the buildings, etc. are solely supported by the congregation who do not deduct their contributions on their 1040's. In other words, they are totally self- supporting, but indeed render to Caeser what is due. If you are so ignorant to your own conctitutional rights, I pity you.

-- turkeylurkey (lurker@lurker.com), February 27, 2000.

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr (pic), near Monterey, California

I think the first ammendment would have been much clearer if it had been worded that "Congress shall make no law with respect to the establishING of any religion." My impression is that what was meant was merely that government should not make laws about what people should believe about matters of faith. I don't think that it was meant to allow people to avoid obeying laws, by claiming religious exemptions.

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage), February 28, 2000.

Dancr said: I don't think that it was meant to allow people to avoid obeying laws, by claiming religious exemptions.

The first ammendment is very clear. The Founding Fathers had just hammered out the Constitution, forging the chains with which to bind the Federal government from ever taxing the individual directly. They knew the evil that would/can/will/does flourish whenever an all powerful central government can steal from the individual directly.

Even the courts have held that the 16th ammendment created "no new taxing power" and therefore was an indirect tax. The courts had to rule that way otherwise it would be unconstitutional.

The first ammendment is quite clear. It is evil men who choose to change that which they don't like. ...sdb

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr (pic), near Monterey, California I think the first ammendment would have been much clearer if it had been worded that "Congress shall make no law with respect to the establishING of any religion." My impression is that what was meant was merely that government should not make laws about what people should believe about matters of faith. -- (addy.available@my.webpage), February 28, 2000.

-- S. David Bays (SDBAYS@prodigy.net), February 29, 2000.