LINK: "Church members say they were kicked out for being Democrats"

[Bluebear]

For those that thought the story too fantastic and waiting for 'proof', voila. The Holy War is in full swing.

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050506/NEWS/50506020/1001

WAYNESVILLE – Nine members of a local church had their membership revoked and 40 others left in protest after tension over political views recently came to a head, church members say.

Some members of East Waynesville Baptist Church voted the nine members out at a recent scheduled deacon meeting, which turned into an impromptu business meeting, according to congregants.

Chan Chandler, pastor of East Waynesville, had been exhorting his congregation since October to support his political views or leave the church, said Selma Morris, a 30-year member of the church.

“He preached a sermon on abortion and homosexuality, then said if anyone there was planning on voting for John Kerry, they should leave,” she said. “That’s the first time I’ve ever heard something like that. Ministers are supposed to bring people in.”

[Justyce]

1. Since they are

no longer a church and are now politically affiliated, I hope they are no longer tax exempt.....

[Bluebear]

5. Not in this new Bush World

WE are now the outsiders. Constitution be damned.

[emanymton]

2. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

I say unto yee, brothers and sisters, THIS is God's will.

Give me an amend.

jalapeno, brother, jalapeno

[Cha]

3. Just a thought! Start their own

church.

[snowbear]

4. Thanks for providing the link!

I sent a thank you e-mail to that newspaper for reporting on it. :-)

[libnnc]

6. if we hadn't been on this like a bulldog on a canned ham...

they would never have looked into this. There's like this huge disconnect between local media outlets in WNC. If it's on WLOS, it doesn't exist in the AC-T and vise-versa. Don't even get me started on Waynesville's newspaper

[snowbear]

9. A bulldog on a canned ham... LOL !!!

lbnnc, you are too funny! :7

And thank YOU for breaking the story on here! :hug:

[ComerPerro]

17. Or perhaps, a "bulldog" on Bush

[blondeatlast]

7. They can't spin the following--don't let 'em, either...

“He preached a sermon on abortion and homosexuality, then said if anyone there was planning on voting for John Kerry, they should leave,” she said. “That’s the first time I’ve ever heard something like that. Ministers are supposed to bring people in.”

(snip)

Valerie Thornton, a spokeswoman for the Internal Revenue Service, said she could not comment on the East Waynesville situation specifically, but noted that "in general if a church engages in partisan politics it could put their tax-exempt status in jeopardy.”

Edit: Note the weasel wording: "In general..." Be afraid, be very afraid.

Excuse me, but fast or slow, ain't the law the law?

Time to set an example, America. Save your freedom now, before it's too late!

[Bluebear]

8. Well said , blonde. This is the LAST CALL for FREEDOM

The train is leaving the station, folks.

[blondeatlast]

10. Off-topic, but...

You post the SCARIEST damn pictures!

[snowbear]

11. speaking of pictures..

that woman looks like she has handcuffs hanging off the front of her red blouse..

[Bluebear]

12. She is bound spiritually to her Monkey Leader. nt

[yorkiemommie1]

14. a picture is worth a thousand words

although i could make do w/ far fewer.

i've seen that look on AHnuld worshipers too.

gawd but that makes me want to heave.

:puke:

[Bluebear]

19. Agreed!

[charlyvi]

13. In defense of the "weasel" wording

Ms Thornton cannot, by law, comment on an investigation. All she can do is state the law, which she did. As a federal employee myself, we are limited in what we can divulge about ANY sepcific investigation. Judging by her remarks, I'd bet a month's salary the IRS has been notified and is on it. Sorry if I sound snippy, but we federal employees catch hell from all directions, when we try to do our work in as just a manner as we can.

[blondeatlast]

15. No need to apologize, and I should have realized that myself.

AFSCME member myself--city level.

[charlyvi]

16. Ah...

A fellow trooper in the trenches! :toast:

[Catherine Vincent]

18. That pic is a fine example of a wild eyed bush bot!

She looks like one of those teens at a rock concert.