Citing Falwell's Endorsement of Bush, Group Challenges His Tax-Exempt Stat

[dusty64]

This is the way its going have to go, these "religious" organizations are nothing more than blatant propaganda arms of the rethug party and need to be treated as ANY other political group.




By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK

Published: July 16, 2004


Hoping to send a warning to churches helping the Bush campaign turn out conservative voters, a liberal group has filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service charging that an organization run by the Rev. Jerry Falwell has violated the requirements of its tax-exempt status by endorsing Mr. Bush's re-election.


"For conservative people of faith, voting for principle this year means voting for the re-election of George W. Bush," Mr. Falwell wrote in the July 1 issue of his e-mail newsletter "Falwell Confidential'' and on his Web site, falwell.com. "The alternative, in my mind, is simply unthinkable. To the pro-life, pro-family, pro-traditional marriage, pro-America voters in this nation, we must determine that President Bush is the man with our interests at heart. It is that simple."

He added: "I believe it is the responsibility of every political conservative, every evangelical Christian, every pro-life Catholic, every traditional Jew, every Reagan Democrat, and everyone in between to get serious about re-electing President Bush."

Mr. Falwell, who helped lead conservative evangelical Protestants into politics 20 years ago as the founder of the Moral Majority, also asked for contributions to a political action committee run by the social conservative Gary Bauer. "It is the organization that I believe can have the greatest impact in re-electing Mr. Bush to the Oval Office," he wrote.

Yesterday, the Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, argued in a letter to the I.R.S. that one of Mr. Falwell's religious organizations, Jerry Falwell Ministries, had disseminated the message in violation of tax rules, which restrict tax-exempt religious groups and charitable organizations from engaging in politics.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/16/politics/campaign/16jerry.html

[the Kelly Gang]

1. pressure should be kept up on this..time to get those Moonies as well

[meegbear]

2. Nail his ass!

If there's anyone who uses religion for his own purposes, it's him.

[indepat]

5. Jerry must subscribe to killing and torturing as the teachings of Jesus

[Sporadicus]

3. For What It's Worth

I sent an e-mail to the IRS concerning Falwell's endorsement of * from his church's website. My message undoubtedly fell on deaf ears, but I'm glad to see that Americans United for Separation of Church and State has been able to draw attention to this abuse of the tax code.

I'll also take a cue from Americans United for Separation of Church and State and make my complaints formal the next time. Who's next...hmmm...Pat Robertson?

[madmax]

4. Pat Robertson is another one. n/t

[bobthedrummer]

10. Pat Robertson deals in blood diamonds among other things.

Maybe some of these tv evangelists are into mind control too? Or they could be cults. But Pat Robertson is crooked and profits from Africa's diamond markets. Like Barrington does, except they pay taxes.

[leesa]

16. As are the Graham con men. They probably do the most damage

because so many people have bought their act. Remember that Billy's the one that taught the religion con game to Dubya.

[Bonhomme Richard]

6. This is a win for Falwell.

The guy is nuts but he is not stupid. I'm sure he and his lawyers haggled over taking a position and the bottom line is that at best he will get a slap on the wrist if he loses. The upside for him is press coverage of his statements and rallying his (schrubs ) base.

[catmandu57]

8. Sometimes though, assholes like this

can be pushed into doing something incredibly stupid.

[Vogon_Glory]

7. Falwell, His Videos, and F911

Another thing I find ironic about preacher Falwell is that so many right-wingers are currently screaming about Michael Moore's "hateful" movie about the incumbent administration's war policies, while forgetting the vicious videos his "ministry" distributed that accused former president Clinton of drug-smuggling and murder.

[cybildisobedience]

14. and they continue to treat him...

like he is some sort of wise elderstatesman! They never introduce him as "religiously insane and astounding corrupt"

[Vogon_Glory]

19. As Falwell Ages, He May Become An Elder

As Preacher Falwell ages, he may become an elder, but NEVER an "elder statesman."

[clydefrand]

9. Falwell lives about an hour from me.

He is an evil person with an evil empire. He brainwashes people who don't want to think for themselves all in the name of God and Jesus. He relentlessly bashed the Clintons and everyone connected with them. He should have to pay through the nose because of the manner in which he uses his "church" to oppose those who don't see things as he does.

[Geo55]

11. Every time this cretin crawls from under his rock

to spew his brand of hate it makes me cringe.
It would be nice if someone could throw a monkey wrench in his Jesus Jihad.

[Geo55]

12. Jerry n' Friends

[classof56]

20. Yes, I was just thinking about this

Falwell and Robertson saying 911 was God's "punishment" 'cause of America's "evils"--homosexuality, in particular. Can only imagine how the victims who survived and families of those who didn't felt about this characterization. Remember some negative feedback at the time, but the fact that they said it...well, as a Christian I am ashamed and disgusted by Falwell/Robertson and crowd. Keep wondering if they have ever really read and absorbed the words of Jesus regarding love and compassion and caring. Also like his statement in Matthew 11--"Wisdom is proved right by her actions". Maybe Jerry/Pat have lost their Bibles!

Tired Old Cynic

[Geo55]

21. "Maybe Jerry/Pat have lost their Bibles!"

nah.....they read 'em , an' twist it , an' spew their hate in the name of God......I'm sure the Almighty is profoundly grateful.

[hyphenate]

13. Guess what I just did?

Someone on the thread gave me an idea, so I followed through on it:

I just wrote to Michael Moore and suggested his going after the extreme religious right, specifically Falwell, Robertson, Graham, Rev. Moon and others of their ilk as his next movie project. Wouldn't that be great? Expose these shysters for what they really are?

If anyone else wants to go ahead and suggest it as well, it's [e-mail].

I think that these people are among the most dangerous threats to our country. I think if these people gain even a smidge more influence than they already do, that this country is doomed.

Can you imagine if evolution were outlawed, and creationism were taught in our schools? Can you imagine the horrendous things that would happen if anyone not an extremist were suddenly ostracized in our society? These people already have an abundance of intolerance against anyone who doesn't share their cockeyed beliefs, so imagining it getting worse is not that far from happening.

Speak up and speak out!

[Geo55]

18. Actually

sittin' 'round dreamin' of the coming RAPTURE kinda sounds like FUN !

Seriously.....followed your suggestion...thanks

[Bandit]

15. The "Moral Majority is Neither"

Favorite bumpersticker of mine and soooo true.

[tlcandie]

17. It would be nice if this would be found to actually have any teeth...

Not holding my breath.

Many have talked here about cults...Those who are following *Co can't get past the Jesus, God, Christian thing and it has become a cult-like following. It reminds me of those in a cult who can not see the bad side and have been brain-washed into seeing only the good of their mentor/leader.

Just like with Jim Jones, they will go so far as to drink the kool-aid.

[struggle4progress]

22. kick

:kick: