OPPOSE POLITICIZING HOUSES OF WORSHIP

[NMDemDist2]

Remove "Safe Harbor for Churches" provisions in H.R. 4520!

TAKE ACTION NOW!

BACKGROUND:

Republican members of the House of Representatives are attempting to clear the way for partisan politicking by houses of worship by slipping an important change to the nation's tax laws into a job-creation bill. Two sections of H.R. 4520, the "American Jobs Creation Act of 2004," deal not with jobs but with partisan politicking by churches. The so-called "Safe Harbor for Churches" provisions would alter current law, which forbids churches from endorsing candidates for public office, and replace it with watered-down language giving wide latitude to such activity.

The "Safe Harbor for Churches" provisions are similar to legislation introduced by Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) that was soundly defeated on the House floor during the 107th congress. Although the current version is a modification of previous legislation, its effects are equally troubling. In particular, the current provisions appear to grant churches up to three "unintentional" political endorsements per calendar year without losing their tax-exempt status, though with increasing tax penalties for each violation.

Rather than protecting our houses of worship, these provisions will have a deeply coercive effect on them and our country by enticing congregations and religious leaders to participate in campaigns. Churches may rely on political campaign committees, rather than the law itself, for instruction on what activities are and are not permitted.

Please CALL, FAX, E-MAIL your Members of Congress and urge them to OPPOSE final passage of HR 4520 unless the church politicking provisions are removed.

SUGGESTED PHONE MESSAGE:

I have read H.R. 4520, the "American Jobs Creation Act of 2004," and as your constituent, I urge you to oppose final passage unless the "Safe Harbor for Churches" provisions are removed. Sections 692 and 4956 have nothing to do with jobs but with partisan politicking by churches.

The so-called "Safe Harbor for Churches" provisions would change current law, which forbids churches from endorsing candidates for public office, and replace it with watered-down language giving wide latitude to such activity.

I believe religious leaders have a right to speak out on important issues and current restrictions on houses of worship do not exist as an impediment to that right.

These provisions encourage willful ignorance of the law by houses of worship, amending the tax code to permit churches, and only churches, to engage in political campaigns while maintaining their status as tax-exempt organizations.

I understand this is similar to legislation introduced by Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) that was soundly defeated on the House floor during the 107th Congress. Although the current version is a modification of previous legislation, its effects are equally troubling.

Federal tax law serves our nation's religious community well, preventing houses of worship from being drawn into partisan politicking. It does not need "fixing."

Once again, I urge you to oppose the "Safe Harbor for Churches" provisions of H.R. 4520. This is an important issue and one I will be following.

http://capwiz.com/au/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=5989716

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Well, if it does pass, I don't think it can survive a First Amendment

challenge, based on the Establishment Clause and the Lemon Test. Even though the Supremes grumble about the Lemon case, I don't think they're going to overturn it anytime soon.

You know the reps who DO know about this law being thrown into a larger bill are also voting FOR it in order to look good for their constituencies ("I like God") and for the Republican Party generally.

[NMDemDist2]

2. I just share the "call to actions" I get

my legislators must be getting tired of hearing from me :evilgrin:

[be inspired]

3. Oppose increased political power for churches

Thanks for posting this! I came here to this forum today to alert people about the same thing. Here's the message I came here to post:

H.R. 4520, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, contains a provision that would give religious leaders more freedom to engage in partisan politics without endangering the tax-exempt status of their churches.

The bill is also probably misnamed since the rest of it seems more like a typical Republican corporate welfare bill than a jobs creation act.

Please do not allow this infringement on the separation of church and state. The bill is due for consideration in the house NEXT WEEK. Please write your representative NOW and tell them to vote NO. Here's where you can find your representative's contact info:

http://www.house.gov

Here's a sample letter:

Dear Representative:

Please vote NO on H.R. 4520, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. I understand that a provision has been added to this bill that would give religious leaders more freedom to engage in partisan politics without endangering the tax-exempt status of their churches. This is a blatant attempt by Republicans to make it OK for churches to endorse President Bush.

I cannot support this bill while it contains a provision that endangers the separation of church and state. I urge you to vote NO on H.R. 4520.

[Pallas180]

4. YESSSS!!!! So important.

:kick:

call up

e mail

stop the falwell's and robertson's