Is This Crap Legal? (Value Voters)

[maxrandb]

Sorry for the Freaker link, but...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1703676/posts

just received "An Appeal to Values Voters" from Len Deo of the New Jersey Family Policy Council. The letter is available Online as a Word file through this Link:
www.schundler.org/NJFPC_appeal_to_values_voters.doc

The New Jersey Family Policy Council is looking for:

1) VOLUNTEERS TO BE KEY CONTACTS IN CHURCHES

2) PEOPLE TO MAKE CALLS FROM HOME VIA A WEB-BASED PROGRAM (THERE MAY BE REIMBURSEMENTS AVAILABLE)

3) VOLUNTEERS TO HELP DISTRIBUTE CLOSE TO HALF A MILLION VOTER GUIDES TO THEIR FELLOW CHURCH MEMBERS IN OCTOBER.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[BOSSHOG]

1. Volunteers needed to help destroy the constitution in the name of Jesus

Lets institutionalize our hate in a tax exempt status. Let us move one step closer to a theocracy fellow church members, and in a tax exempt status. Let us share our ignorance with the masses while praising the lord and all in a tax exempt status. Praise Jesus!

[maxrandb]

5. Check out this from the link BOSSHOG

and tell me just which way you think those "voter guides" are going to tilt.

"The sanctity of marriage, the sanctity of life and the primacy of parental rights lay at the heart of these values. Unfortunately, out of control government spending fuels the fire for more tax increases at a rate faster than the average family in New Jersey can keep up with, thus confronting us with a very difficult situation. Moreover, our state and nation have to confront on a daily basis the challenges of immigration, homeland security, the war on terror which are just some of the many issues facing us today!"

Now, maybe someone can tell me what taxes, or immigration has to do with religion. The only time I think Jesus mentioned them were to tell people to "render unto Ceasar", and maybe the part the fundies missed in the Bible about caring for and ensuring justice for the poor. Other than that, I don't recall Supply Side Jesus telling me that "government spending is out of control".

Hey, maybe since government spending is out of fucking control, and since the Repukes control every single fucking branch of government, maybe they can fix it by staying home and NOT VOTING FOR ANY MORE PHONY FAMILY VALUES TYPE REPUKES!!!

These same people that bitch about "family values" think Rush Limbaugh is a fucking saint. We better work our asses off, because these people are sick, but these people also vote.

[BOSSHOG]

10. I'm so happy that

someone is concerned with the sanctity of my marriage (almost 33 years now and still sanctifying away but I must admit we don't rely on religious zealot assistance, how do we do it?) And the sanctity of my father's life whose brain rotted away with Alzheimer's for the last six months of his life. I suggest all those who oppose stem cell research get locked in the Alzheimer's Ward of a Nursing home for six months and also sign a pledge that they will never benefit from said research.

Challenges of Immigration? Like lettuce on your dinner table? Clean rooms at Motels? Oh for god's sake the challenges!

The War on Terror? The war Clinton had well in hand in 2001!

Homeland Security? May I suggest you christians refer to your rant of out of control spending.

Praise the Lord and move to Iran.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

2. It probably violates IRS rules so if it is promoting a Democrat

candidate it is most likely unlawful, however, if it is benefiting a RW Christofascist they can go ahead full steam because after all they are doing Gods work and it is for the betterment of the country. :sarcasm:

[maxrandb]

6. Well since this "outreach memo" quotes James Dobson

I would venture to guess they are simply doing their civic duty and will not get a visit from the IRS.

[Generic Other]

3. Turn them in to the IRS and find out

:)

[TheFriedPiper]

4. There is no war on christmas

but the christians have certainly declared war on the US Constitution.

[mmonk]

7. Target the same churches and hand out

Who Would Jesus Torture bumper stickers.

[ComerPerro]

8. It shouldn't be, but as we shift toward Theocracy

it is becoming more and more accepted

[rinsd]

9. Of course its legal

"1) VOLUNTEERS TO BE KEY CONTACTS IN CHURCHES

2) PEOPLE TO MAKE CALLS FROM HOME VIA A WEB-BASED PROGRAM (THERE MAY BE REIMBURSEMENTS AVAILABLE)

3) VOLUNTEERS TO HELP DISTRIBUTE CLOSE TO HALF A MILLION VOTER GUIDES TO THEIR FELLOW CHURCH MEMBERS IN OCTOBER. "

This is simple pampleteering and phone banking.

As long as the church is not the one doing the actual organizing, there is no issue with the IRS.

[maxrandb]

11. But isn't the church at risk of politicizing

if they allow this stuff to happen in a competly partisan way?

To me, this sounds like they are using the church to push the Republican Party.

My brother in Ohio said one of the worst things that has happened there over the years is the establishment of so-called "mega-churches".

It's way past time to stop the distortion of religion by Republicans. Maybe the Red Letter Christians need to get involved.

[rinsd]

12. You cannot restrict parishioners from being political

What is not allowed is the preacher giving sermons on who to vote for(directly, they can discuss issues such as the war or abortion) or for the church to fund anything beyond GOTV.

Do churches get too involved? I would say yes in terms of violating their tax exempt status but this particular case sounds more like its encouraging people to talk to their fellow church goers and organize which is not much different from saying to a college students to talk to their friends and organize.

[BeautifulLoser]

14. Agreed

Nothing illegal.

[tyedyeto]

13. Who is reimbursing the callers?

Sorry but the schundler link won't open for me as I don't have word.

[maxrandb]

15. Does not say who is funding the callers

but this has James "show your son your penis" Dobson's fingerprints all over it.

[tyedyeto]

16. One liner.... "Follow the money"

If these reimbursements are funded by any religious entity, then there is a case for this action being illegal.