Pastors' Get-Out-the-Vote Training Could Test Tax Rules

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

The first training session, on March 6 in Valley Forge, included a videotaped message from a single candidate, Senator Rick Santorum, the Pennsylvania Republican who faces a difficult re-election fight.

"I encourage you to let your voices be heard from the pulpit" on vital issues, Mr. Santorum said, urging the pastors to champion a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, according to a recording made by a person at the session. Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a liberal group critical of the effort, provided the recording to The New York Times.

After the tape, organizers offered participating pastors copies of the senator's book "It Takes a Family."

Colin A. Hanna, founder of the conservative advocacy group Let Freedom Ring and master of ceremonies, called the book "thoroughly and soundly grounded in Christian doctrine and Scripture as the revealed word of God," according to the recording.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/21/politics/21churches.html?_r=1&oref=slogin



H-E-L-L-O, may I speak to the IRS please!!! :banghead:

[sooneralum03]

1. I think church's are allowed to promote issues but not candidates

without losing their tax-exempt status.

But it might different for each state. Not sure.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

2. Yes, except they handed out copies of (P)ricky's book...

"After the tape, organizers offered participating pastors copies of the senator's book "It Takes a Family."

Gee, sounds like a pretty clear endorsement.

[IsItJustMe]

3. It's time to take away all tax exempt status from all religion.

We have now been effectively joined at the hip with religion and church in our country. Time for them to pay taxes.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

4. This group clearly endorsed Santorum by handing out his book

This isn't a tough one for the IRS to see and I hope this group gets investigated fully.

[IsItJustMe]

5. I had to quit going to the church I was attending during the 04 election

because of the RW bull shit that was coming from the pulpit. It's getting worse than people know.