What would you say if I told you all a secret?

[ck4829]

Here's the little secret:

There is a secretive coalition of Churches, Mega-Churches, Para-Church Organizations, and Christian Broadcasting Groups all around the Nation. With the Preachers using their Cult of Personality that is around them they can easily influence Elections everywhere. Our Democratic Republic is compromised as long as this Coalition is not responded to.

[still_one]

1. and how would that response be?

insist they should not be tax exempt because they are actively involved in politics?

[hwmnbn]

8. That's only the first step.....

demand equal political time on airwaves to answer rebut their political positions.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. How do you suggest we respond?

I agree that many of these "Christians" are merely cultists, with the cult mentality, which to my mind means brainwashing. I'm not sure how you deal with cultists and the brainwashed--what are the steps we should take?

[Tace]

3. Tax 'Em -- That's What I Suggest

When they get into politics... remove their tax exemption. That'll shut 'em up. I guarantee.

[dkofos]

4. I would say, it is time to question

the tax exempt status of these churches

[ck4829]

5. Just in case you didn't know

The secret coalition is the Council for National Policy.

The religious leaders who can influence great amounts of people AND who are part of the CNP include:

Gary Bauer
James Dobson
Jerry Falwell
D. James Kennedy
Tim LaHaye
Tony Perkins
Pat Robertson
Ralph Reed
RJ Rushdoony
Rick Scarborough
Donald Wildmon
And More

If this isn't a network of Pro-Far Right people that can easily influence Elections, then I don't know what is.

[MadHound]

6. Not that much of a secret, for they have been doing this for 20 years

Or more. The solution would be to call into question their tax status when they start dabbling in politics, but apparently the IRS will only do this if the church is sticking to its Christian values and preaching against the war.

And while putting the tax kibosh on these churches should be an agenda item for the Democratic party once they're back in power, I seriously doubt that it will happen. The Democrats are still under the delusional belief that they can sway these people, and thus don't want to piss them off. I say that the RW fundies are never going to be in our camp, that the best that can be hoped for is that they stay home on election day, thus we should go hammer and tongs after these churches with political agendas.

[Berserker]

7. Antiwar Sermon Brings IRS Warning

The Internal Revenue Service has warned one of Southern California's largest and most liberal churches that it is at risk of losing its tax-exempt status because of an antiwar sermon two days before the 2004 presidential election.
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1107-02.htm

[MadHound]

10. I saw that a few days ago

God forbid that a church sticks to its Christian teachings, and preaches about peace, not war. What a crazy, crazy place this country has come to.

[shenmue]

9. I'm sure it's true

If they violate their tax-exempt status, which they do if they specifically endorse or campaign for any candidate, then they need to lose that status. We need to have people listening for this to report them. If they violate the law, they can't be coddled anymore. They are ripping off the taxpayers and need to answer for it.

[Wind Dancer]

11. Americans United for Separation of Church and State,

This is a great organization addressing these issues.


http://www.au.org/site/PageServer

[ultraist]

12. Another site for more info on this:

http://www.theocracywatch.org/taking_over.htm

[Wind Dancer]

13. Thank you!

These people truly scare me. I recently watched an excellent documentary on Link TV called "God in Government."

Politics & Religion:
A Volatile Mix?

GOD IN GOVERNMENT, a one-hour documentary, explores the complex relationship between religion & politics in the contemporary world. With the United States as the focal point, and Iran, Israel and India as object lessons, the film asks fundamental questions: What are the consequences when religion and politics become intertwined? What are the fault lines along which tensions and conflicts occur? What is the appropriate relationship between ‘church’ and state in a modern society?

The film begins and ends in the United States, the only nation founded specifically on the principle of a clear separation between religion and state. Here, the debate over the implications of the First Amendment has continued for more than two hundred years. Today, with a self-proclaimed, “committed Christian” President advocating faith-based initiatives in the welfare system, a vocal Christian right seeking to influence domestic and foreign policy, and an increasingly diverse religious landscape, the debate about the appropriate role of religion in America’s public square has become more urgent than ever.

A production of The Independent Production Fund, Inc. in association with CTVC and Faith and Values Media. © 2004 The Independent Production Fund, Inc.

http://www.godingovernment.org/