I Got a Reply From the North Carolina ACLU About That Church

[CO Liberal]

This is the message I sent them last week:

Like many others across America, I am deeply saddened and disturbed by the recent actions of the East Waynesville Baptist Church to excommunicate its members who are Democrats or who do not support George W. Bush. This is a totally improper mixing or religion and politics, which has deprived many people of their right to worship as they choose, which is a right guaranteed by the First Amendment of the constitution.

And legal pressure that can be brought to bear on this church to make the see the error of their ways would benefit ALL Americans.

And this is their reply:

Thank you very much for sharing with us your concerns regarding the East Waynesville Baptist Church's recent excommunication of Democrats (and also, apparently, anyone who is married to a Democrat). Our Executive Director, Jennifer Rudinger, was contacted about this matter on Thursday, May 5th, before the story broke in the press, and we very much share your alarm at this blatant intermingling of religion and politics and what appears to be a violation of the Internal Revenue Code.

The ACLU of North Carolina is monitoring this situation very closely, but at this time, we do not feel that our direct intervention is the wisest course of action. The IRS is aware of what has happened at this church, and a representative has commented to the Asheville Citizen-Times that in general, partisan politicking could jeopardize a church's tax-exempt status. In addition, there is a great political outcry against these actions in the Waynesville community, and many members have left the church in protest.

Since this case may resolve itself appropriately through the political channels and possible IRS action, we have decided that the ACLU of North Carolina should exercise patience and allow the good people of Waynesville the opportunity to take whatever action they feel is necessary to put a stop to these practices. Charging in under the mantle of the ACLU right now and filing a lawsuit might make a martyr of Pastor Chandler and divert the attention of decision-makers in this community away from finding ways to solve this problem on their own.

Rest assured, we are watching this closely. Thank you very much for contacting the ACLU of North Carolina and for your vigilance in defense of civil liberties.

Jennifer Coleman
Office Manager
ACLU of North Carolina
P.O. Box 28004
Raleigh, NC 27611

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[Kazak]

6. Yeah, they've definitely earned it.

What good does it do to threaten if the IRS doesn't follow through after such an egregious violation?

[Book Lover]

2. Thanks for passing the message on

[Richard Steele]

3. I'll second that 'THANKS'. Sounds like smart work by ACLU to wait. n/t

[NMDemDist2]

4. agreed, they make excellent points on why to "sit this one out" for a

bit

[Rowdyboy]

5. Proud to see the ACLU realizes its in everyone's interest that they stay

out-for the time being. Lets not allow them to turn the minister into a martyr.

[CO Liberal]

7. But I Was Glad To Hear....

...that they were monitoring the situation.

[Rowdyboy]

8. Oh, absolutely....We may need them on this, before its over

But not just yet...