Watchdog Group Seeks Christian Group Probe

[Rose Siding]

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - An organization that monitors religious groups has asked the Internal Revenue Service (news - web sites) to investigate whether the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family broke the law by trying to sway presidential election voters.

In a letter Tuesday to the IRS, Citizens Project complained about a November article in a magazine printed by Focus comparing presidential candidates George W. Bush and John Kerry (news - web sites) and their positions on abortion, stem-cell research and same-sex marriage.

"You're pro-life, and you want to preserve the traditional definition of marriage for the next generation," the article states. "So which of the presidential candidates comes closest to sharing your values?"

As a nonprofit organization, Focus on the Family is forbidden to endorse political candidates or parties.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20050203/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/irs_focus_on_family

[Mari333]

1. Tax them. Its long overdue. n/t

[kweerwolf]

2. Gee, I wonder where in the magazine article

it compared BushCo and Kerry on important religious issues like helping the poor, caring for the sick, loving your neighbor, and all that "blessed are the peacemakers" business?

[realisticphish]

4. no, no

that was "wuss" jesus. Fundies have "Republican" jesus


:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[sandnsea]

11. Terminator Jesus

That's what we ought to call their Jesus.

[realisticphish]

14. I'll be back

to die for your sins...

But this time, it's personal.


:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[atreides1]

9. Those Are Not Important Religious Issues

Everyone knows that what is important is to keep two people of the same sex from getting married, and to stop abortion, and to champion life.

Unless of course that life belongs to a Muslim.

sarcasm off now.

[mitchum]

3. Tax the hell out of these grifting, pulpit-dwelling, lowlife con artists

[aikido15]

5. Why don't they pay taxes if they insist in ...

Trying to change the constitution to set us back 200 years?

[magellan]

7. I was going to ask that too

What's the law regarding non-profit religious groups working to change laws to reflect the religion they represent, anyone know?

And as for getting the IRS after Focus on the Family, GO GO GO. The IRS should also investigate churches where the clergy suggested which way the flock should vote.

[kweerwolf]

8. The way it was explained here when a progressive group ...

announced they would be monitoring some of the mega-churches around here before the election was that churches risked their tax-exempt status if they endorsed a specific candidate. They could, however, endorse issues until the cows comes home.

The way they get around it is preaching a sermon on the evils of abortion, gay marriage, etc. ... then blanket all the cars in the parking lot with sample ballots that show Repugnantcans hate baby-killers and homos while Democrats think everyone should be forced to marry a same-sex partner and be taught how to kill unborn babies.

[magellan]

12. So they adhere to the letter of the law but not the spirit

Or to be more precise, they find a loophole to place (their interpretation of) God's law above man's.

There was a time when hearing that churches were subverting the law like this would have surprised me. There was also a time when I automatically respected people who had religion. Those days are long gone.

Thanks for the explanation, kweerwolf.

[saigon68]

15. These are Fundamentalist Hate Groups Hiding behind JayZeus.

[donheld]

6. Vote that story a 5

don't let it vanish

[orleans]

10. focus on the smoke and mirrors is more like it

that article on yahoo also states:
"Focus officials said the article was written under the umbrella of its lobbying arm, Focus on the Family Action. That organization operates under a different set of tax criteria, and its money can be used for lobbying."

with that kind of "gray area" crap no one can distinguish the difference between the 501(c)3 and the "action" lobbying arm. the whole thing becomes a shell game--which checkbook was used to pay the writer? the "action" checkbook or the 501(c)3 checkbook?

even if the writer was paid by the action checkbook, how is the magazine itself paid for and distributed? are there any 501(c)3 funds used in its publication (including office space, computers, etc.?)

and although the "non-profit" part of the organization might be "renting" out office space to the "lobbying arm" how blurred are the lines when you have someone on the payroll from 9-1 and then they take an hour off to work for the action committee and then at three they check back into work for the non-profit?

it's bullshit--they should be investigated and busted!

[Jamastiene]

13. They should investigate Richmond Community College while they are at it.

The school isn't supposed to take sides, but a general get out the vote campaign would be all right. There was Bush campaigning going on before the election in 2004. Christian Coalition flyers were passed out and permission was granted by the college employee in charge of Guided Studies for a student to look up candidates who endorse conservative issues.

[Ian David]

16. The Citizens Project

http://www.citizensproject.org/

Citizens Project formed in 1992 to counter the growing influence of extremists in the Pikes Peak region, primarily in public schools. The organization set out to provide a countervoice to this influence by promoting pluralism, religious liberties and the separation of church and state.

Soon after its inception, Citizens Project took a strong stand against Amendment 2, an anti-gay ballot initiative, and experienced a ground swell of support from those who found a voice in the organization.

Since then, Citizens Project has pursued a two-pronged strategy: on the one hand exposing extremism, while on the other encouraging tolerance and respect for diversity. For example we have worked to expose religious exclusion in public schools and develop a dialogue program to pro- mote understanding.

Today, Citizens Project is a volunteer-driven organization with a small staff and several thousand supporters. In this community, which some on the far right have labeled the "Gettysburg of the civil war of values," we are proud to be advocates of tolerance, diversity and pluralism.
What Citizens Project does . . .

*
Publish a monthly newsletter, Freedom Watch, with news and cartoons of local and national interest
*
Sponsor candidate surveys and forums for local elections Organize events, workshops and campaigns
*
Monitor and provide information on legislative issues of concern such as Amendment 2, school vouchers and parental rights
*
Build coalitions such as the one that created the Pikes Peak Human Relations Coalition
*
Empower and inform advocates of tolerance and inclusion
*
Provide information to local and national media
*
Counter misinformation and rhetoric that undermines our liberties
*
Create dialogue programs bringing together people with differing world views
*
Maintain an extensive research library



Welcome to Citizens Project

Citizens Project began in Colorado Springs in 1992 and enjoys the support of hundreds of El Paso County residents who support our mission and vision. We hope you'll use this web site as a resource for getting involved with Citizens Project's events, programs, and the Activist Network.
http://www.citizensproject.org/activist.htm

If you are already a supporter, we thank you. Your contributions ensure that Citizens Project continues its vital work. If you're not a supporter, use the "Donate Now" button to become part of a great organization!
DonateNow
https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=2337


What's New?:

*
Citizens Project in the news: To view the original article, click here (may require a subscription fee). To see the complaint letter Citizens Project filed with the IRS, click here.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CO_IRS_FOCUS_ON_FAMILY_COOL-?SITE=COCOL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
http://www.citizensproject.org/FOF_Complaint_ltr.pdf

*
Citizens Project has hired Ellie Collinson as our new executive director.
*
The Public Record, 2nd Edition is now available. Click here for your copy.
http://www.citizensproject.org/GAP.htm

*
Citizens Project's radio spots aired on local Clear Channel stations. Click Here to listen to the radio spots.
http://www.citizensproject.org/radio_spots.htm


Subscribe to our eNewsletter!

Sign up to receive Citizens Project's eNewsletter delivered to your email box every month. Th eNewsletter keeps you informed about Citizens Project news, events, and issues. Click Here to sign up now!
http://www.citizensproject.org/enews_signup.htm


Citizens Project
P.O. Box 2085
Colorado Springs, CO 80901
ph 719.520.9899
fx 719.520.0118
[e-mail]