In case this story has escaped anyone in our illustrious group of thinkers. I wanted to make sure everyone was aware of the latest on the Episcopal church in Pasadena.
The rector there was apparently preaching about the evils of our ccurrent administration just prior to the 2004 election. Now the goons in the Bush administration have called out the dogs on this church for being "too political" and advocating for or against one party or candidate over the other.
Well this organization has decided to stand it's ground. They have refused a request by the IRS to turn over church documents which includes everything.
The All Saints case escalated a week ago when the IRS slapped the 80-year-old parish with a summons demanding that it turn over by Sept. 29 all materials, such as newsletters and sermons, produced during the 2004 election year with political references. Bacon was told to testify in person Oct. 11.
Now I won't even begin to address the obvious hypocrisy of the fact that Dobson Roberts et al. run a full industry of crypto political religous organizations, but the more disgusting issue here is of course the close proximity to the election that this bullying is going on. How much more fascism does this country need before we all get a belly full.
Even the Southern Baptists are saying this is way out of line.
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."
http://www.latimes.com/...
When are people going to come to their senses. This rerally is no longer about ideology but fundamental issues like freedom of religion and speech.
I am now at the point that I just can't understand how ordinary people conservative, liberal or otherwise can't see past their noses and see the extreme damage that has befallen this country. I am really heart broken - more by my fellow citizens than I am by our Machiavellian leadership.
If you ever thought about supporting a religious institution, this is it. If you want to help contact the church for a solidarity membership. Here is the email
kholeman@allsaints-pas.org
Or just go to their website at
http://www.allsaints-pas.org/...
to lend support.
Please recommmend this diary. We need to support this church against this very important challenge by a bunch of bullies.