Liberal Pasadena church gets support from Muslims, Jews, Southern Baptists

[DeepModem Mom]

LAT: All Saints Episcopal Church Won't Comply With IRS Probe
Pasadena's All Saints Episcopal parish board challenges a request to turn over documents in a case over a 2004 antiwar sermon.
By Louis Sahagun, Times Staff Writer
September 22, 2006

....At a news conference attended by 50 cheering supporters gathered before the marble altar at All Saints Episcopal Church, the Rev. Ed Bacon said his 3,500-member congregation did not violate tax regulations barring tax-exempt organizations from endorsing or opposing candidates when a former rector, George F. Regas, criticized the Bush administration two days before the 2004 presidential election.

The Episcopal faith, the 58-year-old rector said, "calls us to speak to the issues of war and poverty, bigotry, torture, and all forms of terrorism … always stopping short of supporting or opposing political parties or candidates for public office."...

***

In an interview, Richard Land, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, said, "Churches should not endorse political candidates. But the IRS is seriously out of kilter and wrong-headed on this one; it's an appalling intrusion and it smacks of intimidation."...

***

"We smell intimidation," said Maher Hathout, chairman of the Islamic Center of Southern California. "It smells rotten, and we should not allow any aspect of intimidation to be directed to any member of our great country."

Rabbi Steven Jacobs of Temple Kol Tikvah, who also attended the news conference, said, "There seems to be an assault upon the pulpit, and it seems to fit a pattern of focusing on those challenging our administration."...

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-allsaints22sep22,0,5653438.story?track=mostemailedlink

[AX10]

1. The Southern Baptists are supporting a liberal church on this issue?

If so, :kick: :thumbsup:

[El Supremo]

2. A call for financial help:

All Saints Church will challenge in a court of law the two IRS summonses served on the church and Ed Bacon last Friday. The vestry voted unanimously this morning in favor of the decision.

Now that we have decided to challenge the IRS summonses in court, the legal cost will be high. If you are interested in making a donation to the All Saints Legal Defense Fund or in becoming a Solidarity Member of All Saints Church , please make out your check to "All Saints Church" and send it to 132 North Euclid Ave., Pasadena, CA. 91101, and please indicate "All Saints Defense Fund" or "Solidarity Membership" in the memo space. For more information on "Solidarity Membership" please email [e-mail] and please write "Solidarity Membership" in the subject line.

Thank you so much for your overwhelming support and encouragement.

http://www.allsaints-pas.org/all_saints_church.htm

[lildreamer316]

3. PLEASE post this in it's own thread!

Or have you already? oops?

[El Supremo]

4. OK, what forum should I put it in? n/t

[lildreamer316]

7. I think it's ok in GD but

I could be wrong...just put a nice title to it, and tell mods you're sorry if this is in the wrong place. Or just pm one of them with the link to this post and ask if it's ok.

[ShockediSay]

5. What about the Churches urging votes against Kerry on abortion issue

or was is denying communion ... anyway

Clear cut case of selective prosecution looks like to me (though they are tough in court).

ACLU should want this case.

[kestrel91316]

6. K & R

Hey, let's ALL send them $5 (or more). Help out with the legal expenses, folks!