Churches all across US brazenly backing McCain from pulpit

[goddess40]

Beyond disgusting. They must feel that god will keep the taxes at bay and that the fight they may face will be worth it so they can keep white men in charge and make sure women are put back in their place.


http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=87926§ion=homepage
Members of the congregation at Warroad (Minn.) Community Church listened intently Sunday morning as Rev. Gus Booth told them they not only should vote for John McCain in November, but they also should campaign for him.

Booth is one of several clergy across the country to endorse a candidate from behind the pulpit on what was declared “Pulpit Freedom Sunday” by the Alliance Defense Fund.

“We need to vote for the most righteous of candidates,” Booth said Sunday. “And it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure that out. The most righteous is John McCain.”

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-wi-pulpitfight,0,4694574.story
WEST BEND, Wis. - Pastor Luke Emrich prepared his sermon last week knowing his remarks could invite an IRS investigation. But he forged ahead anyway with his message: Thou shalt vote according to the Scriptures.

Emrich, 38, told about 100 worshippers Sunday they should make their own voting decisions, but urged them to cast their ballots in favor of an anti-abortion platform.

"I'm telling you straight up I would choose life. I would cast a vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin," he said, referring to the Republican ticket. "But friends, it's your choice to make, it's not my choice. I won't be in the voting booth with you."


http://www.lifenews.com/nat4376.html
Rev. Ron Johnson Jr. also joined in the national campaign, known as "Pulpit Freedom Sunday," and he is the senior associate pastor at Living Stones Church in Crown Point, Indina.

The Rev. Jody Hice of Bethlehem First Baptist Church outside of Atlanta also endorsed McCain and said he based his recommendations on McCain’s opposition to abortion compared to Obama’s strongly pro-abortion positi

[1corona4u]

1. Time for them to start paying taxes then.

[Viking12]

2. Revoke their tax exempt status -- NOW

I wish we had officals that would prosecute for election violations too.

[trueblue2007]

11. how do you turn these churches in? Send this info to NEWS - Keith and Rachel

[hootinholler]

35. That's the whole point of this.

I to push for test cases and challenge the law.

-Hoot

[Ian_rd]

40. This will only help the Right at this time

This is exactly what McCain needs to win - a holy war before the election. I hate to say it, but challenging them before the election will result in a day-to-day discussion in the media of how the country is splitting into a Christian vs. Unbeliever fight.

And already - and all too often, even liberal commentators like Maddow fail to make it clear that this is not a religious freedom or freedom of speech issue (i.e. Churches can endorse whomever they want - they just can't be tax-exempt anymore). So, it is already feeding into their hands.

Now, Barack needs to reach out to every religious contact he has en force, and get everyone on the air lamenting this cheapening of churches into political organizations, but challenges need to wait until after the election.

More than anything else right now, this could lose it for us.

[raebrek]

62. Funny, I was thinking the same thing. n/t

[calico1]

3. Tax them.

It would be a good way to raise revenues and they are long overdue.

[1corona4u]

15. Exactly. That would get us out of this hole, that they helped to create

even faster.

[southpaw]

4. This shit needs to be responded to

with swift revocation of their tax-exempt status.

If you want to be a political pundit, get the fuck out from behind that pulpit!

[firedupdem]

5. Why wasn't Roe v Wade overturned under Bush? They had

8 years to get it done. What happened? Why are these people such idiots???

[AngryOldDem]

6. I've been asking myself that for years.

How many justices have Republican presidents appointed since 1973?

[DinahMoeHum]

9. Because Roe v Wade is a goose that keeps shitting out golden eggs for the GOP.

Overturn it, the goose dies, and no more gold.

:evilfrown:

[AspenRose]

10. Exactly

:thumbsup:

They need to be taxed.

[AndyTiedye]

28. Don't Bet On It. They Go After Birth Control Next, And Gays

[Native]

13. They say our next president will appoint 3 supremes. That said,

there is a very real possibility that Roe V Wade will be overturned. And, you can bet that this factoid has not escaped the religious right. I know many people who will vote for McCain on this one issue alone.

[1corona4u]

20. No, it will not be overturned. Not as long as Obama is in the WH.

[liberalmuse]

7. Tax them.

Tax ALL churches.

[AspenRose]

8. I thought I saw something today about this being a concerted effort by

some churches to try to make this into a supreme court issue, though I don't exactly understand how or why :shrug:

Edited to add info from Americans United

http://www.au.org/site/News2?JServSessionIdr001=b0yucffcs1.app5b&abbr=pr&page=NewsArticle&id=10051&security=1002&news_iv_ctrl=1241

Churches That Violate Law On Pulpit Politicking Will Be Reported To The IRS, Vows Americans United
Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Church-State Watchdog Group Condemns Religious Right Plan To Politicize Pulpits This Sunday

"Houses of worship that flagrantly violate federal tax law by taking part in a Religious Right-led effort to politicize America’s pulpits this Sunday will be promptly reported to the Internal Revenue Service, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), a Religious Right legal group based in Arizona, is urging pastors to endorse or oppose candidates from the pulpit on Sept. 28, even though IRS regulations forbid tax-exempt groups from intervening in political campaigns. Reportedly, about 30 churches will participate.

“Taking part in this reckless stunt is a one-way ticket to loss of tax exemption,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “We’ll be watching, and pastors who violate the law can expect their churches to be reported to the IRS the first thing Monday morning.”

Since 1996, Americans United has sponsored Project Fair Play, an effort designed to educate religious leaders about the requirements of federal tax law. AU has filed complaints to the IRS about 85 houses of worship and religious non-profits. One church lost its tax exemption, some have been audited and others have received IRS warnings."

Project Fairplay:
http://projectfairplay.org/

[LiberadorHugo]

16. Well what do you expect?

The Slavery Baptist Cult and similar sects would never want a Black man to become President.

[AspenRose]

22. Well, they were doing this with Kerry too in 2004

They just don't want anyone PRO CHOICE in the WH.

[goddess40]

33. It's more than the choice issue

that's just what they lead their flock by the nose with. It's about power and keeping it concentrated, it's about destroying public education, it's about white men staying in power.

[liberalpress]

47. It seems to me exceedingly stupid

If you aren't paying taxes, and all you have to do continue to not pay taxes is STFU, why wouldn't you just, well, STFU?

Politics and religion go together like a fish and a bicycle.

[demokatgurrl]

60. Because they want the Bush Supreme Court

to revoke the prohibition on using tax-free status as a religious institution to promote political ends.

I love AU, by the way, and posted that story in another thread. The head of the organization, Barry Lynn, is an ordained minister on a mission to preserve state/church separation.

[codjh9]

12. I heard an f-ing lunatic fundie 'minister' on NPR yesterday on this issue... argggh n/t

[LynneSin]

14. None of these Churches seem to be mainstream Denominations

The Mainstream churches will tell you to go vote and leave it at that. So please, do NOT lump all churches together, these seem to be fundamentalist churches which should all be investigated for tax purposes.

[AspenRose]

25. True

I saw two Obama stickers in the parking lot at church yesterday (United Methodist)

[polmaven]

46. My Obama sticker,

as well as my Patrick, Kerry, Tierney, "Proud Democrat", and - yes - my Democratic Underground.com stickers are in a United Methodist Church parking lot every Sunday, and many times other than Sunday, as well.

[OmahaBlueDog]

17. That law is currently being challenged in the courts

Thus, fundie churches have felt emboldened to endorse candidates.

Should Obama win, the tax man shall cometh, and much rendering shall take place

[goddess40]

36. When Obama wins the Dem's will wimp out and the churches will continue

violating the law.

[slackmaster]

18. Tax the corrupt bastards into submission

This mass violation of our federal tax codes should not be tolerated.

[AllentownJake]

19. Fine you are no longer tax exempt

[TornadoTN]

21. Time to send some feedback to the IRS

There are many reasons to dislike organized religion. This is one of the biggest ones - it's full-on brainwashing of the gullible.

Time to make some examples of these sheep. Hit them where it hurts - since they are raking in cash left and right from people buying their salvation.

[gauguin57]

23. Tax their asses.

It's their choice. They know the rules.

[spanone]

24. they know this justice department will do nothing

pro abortion stance my ass....it's fucking pro choice

[MrScorpio]

26. They want freedom to politic from the pulpit? Fine!

Revoke their tax exempt status and they'll be free to politic to their heart's desire

[SIMPLYB1980]

27. They should lose their tax exempt status effective yesterday. n/t

[goddess40]

29. I e-mailed the ACLU

to see if they are going to do anything and to see what I can do.

Complain to the IRS, state Attorney General - I don't know what to do but I'm disgusted.

[AndyTiedye]

30. They Want the Fundies to Steal The Election For Them, Again

Not only will they vote for McCain, they'll stuff ballot boxes for McCain, because "gawd wants them to".

We have to stop them this time!

[crossroads]

31. Church dogma spreads fear!

Imo the church has preached a doctrine of fear for the last 2,000 years in order to control the masses! It has worked so far, but sheeple are waking up to their own power due to the net and are beginning to see how these tactics have stifled their growth! Christians must have information intrepretated for them because they do not or will not think for themselves! Sad!

I hope the IRS takes away their tax free status! This is just wrong! Our forefathers in their wisdom knew that there must be separation of church and state!

CR

[intheflow]

32. these are the same people who were targeting liberal churches

during the last election. I think what goes around, comes around, and they should lose their tax status.

[BR_Parkway]

34. Vote according to scriptures says "stone McCain the Adulterer" - surely

the Secret Service will be investigating this....

[Ian_rd]

37. This is a HUGE obstacle for Obama, and it could cost him the election

It's the natural result of the beast Karl Rove stirred in 2000: The cheapening of American Evangelical Christianity into a political organization, and the conversion of the Republican Party into a party of religious extremism.

One of McCain's handicaps was his weakness within the base of his own party. The Palin selection had some success to bring more of them into line, but this has somewhat dissipated for the embarrassment she has proved to be. But now a great blow. Churches - where millions upon millions of Americans go to receive the word of God - are going to PREACH to their congregation to vote for John McCain.

Despite how this will invite a backlash from many church-goers, and despite how this will result in yet more real conservatives jumping ship from the Republican Party, this is the greatest challenge at this point in time for Obama. His nearly 10-point lead will evaporate in the face of a re-excited base going to the polls to fulfill their orders from God. Barack needs to do everything he can to safeguard his support in the religious community. He needs to reach out to every religious contact he has. And he needs to run ads celebrating his religion and lamenting the cheapening of religion into politics.

[Marsala]

38. Nah, this isn't something new

The churches have been preaching this stuff all along. The Christian base no longer has the strength to win the election alone. They need the middle of the country, and they don't have fear of "terrah" this time.

[Democat]

39. I don't think it's as dire as you say, but...

I agree that Obama has to be careful how he responds to this. He can't just start bashing the corrupt churches as it may be seen as religion bashing, or spun that way. He needs to say that these churches are actually insulting religion by mixing politics and religion and that's not what Americans want.

He should also say that the people attending these churches are being exploited by John McCain and he should do everything he can to link McCain to this plan - and try to paint it as desperate and exploitative and cheap.

Kerry was not able to hurt Bush with the Swiftboat attacks. Obama needs to take every attack that the right win makes and turn it back on McCain directly. McCain should be linked to any dirty tricks that any right wing group pulls.

[Ian_rd]

41. I like that - Barack needs to make an ad saying he doesn't want church endorsements ...

... because he considers his faith too sacred to mix with politics. I think that would be a dynamite response. In one blow, Barack gets to talk about his faith, while turning the McCain endorsements against McCain by correctly characterizing it as yet another insulting and cheap political stunt.

But I remain distressed with this news. I can't imagine a more effective voter turn-out initiative than churches preaching that God wants His flock to vote McCain.

[polichick]

42. Perfect - I've always thought churches should pay taxes. Now's our chance.

Truth is, most parishioners know which candidate their minister is pulling for ~ it's just usually done with a wink and a nod.

[Ganja Ninja]

43. Good for them!

Keep on backing the Republicans from the pulpit until the collection plates are empty. I hope they all go down together.

[stuntcat]

57. right?

And if my fellow Amuricans have any sense at all this will end in masses of people realizing the religious people are really the most evil.

[OneGrassRoot]

44. Maybe this should be brought up by moderate in VP debate....

I'd love to hear Palin try to pander to wingnuts and Constitutionalists alike.

[CANDO]

45. Stand up and WALK OUT!

If I'm in a church service and anyone does presidential poltics from the pulpit, I get up at once and walk out.

[tsuki]

51. That happened at the Catholic church here. Six member families

walked out when the priest said he would refuse communion to anyone working for Kerry.

[AllieB]

48. I just heard that Americans United for the Separation of Church and State filed a complaint

with the IRS. It was on Amy Goodman this morning.

[Bubbha Jo]

49. Good, Now we can tax these churches to help pay for the bailout ; )

[PVnRT]

50. Report 'em to the IRS

You do NOT fuck with the IRS.

[vanderBeth]

59. Damn straight.

Remember which people caught Al Capone.

[Crowman1979]

52. I think it's BS that these churches think McCain is the only option.

When they have these other third-party pro-lifers running for office. And a few of them are even against the Iraq war.

[Ioo]

53. Who Cares? These guys were going to vote McCain anyway... and IRS will do nothing.

[spanone]

54. they probably have 'faith-based funding' for their lawyers

[mbee]

55. Let them go ahead because my church is complaining like

crazy how their contributions have gone down. If they keep going down until they have no money they can hold church in a tent!

[iceman66]

56. Even though this is blatently illegal,

they are doing it anyway, because they are counting on McCain being able to stack the Supreme Court enough to change the law in their favor.

One more reason why Obama has to win!

[tanyev]

58. The Alliance Defense Fund has released the list of churches who participated:

http://www.telladf.org/UserDocs/PFSparticipants.pdf

[goddess40]

61. ACLU's reply - thanks but no thanks

We have received your correspondence requesting legal information and have reviewed the same. The ACLU/WIF is a private, not-for-profit organization. Unfortunately, we lack the staff resources to act as a general legal clinic, provide legal research or answer specific legal questions and provide legal advice.

In regards to your question about a specific civil liberties issue, you can try our national website, http://www.aclu.org/religion/gen/27282res20061103.html, which is full of previous ACLU Reports and other useful information that may be helpful to you.




This was the state office and you can see they referred me to the national website.

[raebrek]

63. Are all non profits covered by the same law?

Churches can't preach politics from the pulpit. Okay, I get that. Is this a policy that only affects the non-profit status of churches or are the other non profits also asked not to participate in politics? From my quick reading it affects all non-profits. I should know better then to google while I am writing a post. Here is a link.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25838144/

I hate it when I answer my own questions. I will post in anyway in case someone else was wondering the same thing.

Raebrek!!!