> They formed a charity to get the tax relief from that same government. Not at all. They formed a charity because they wanted to make a positive difference in

> They formed a charity to get the tax relief from that same government. Not at all. They formed a charity because they wanted to make a positive difference in the world. That US law originally recognizes charities, churches, and other non-profits as tax-exempt is a a recognition of the solid, positive contribution to society that such organizations make. Their tax-exempt status was originally granted as such, and not with any idea of using it to stipulate how they should do things. So I strongly disagree that tax-exempt status somehow grants the government authority over an organization's affairs. It would be better to revoke all organizational tax exemptions than to begin to use it as such leverage.