We Must Support All Saints Church in it's battle against the IRS--AKA the GOP Initmidation League

The All Saints Church in Pasadena said today that it would  fight the IRS's demand that in turn over documents regarding an anit-war sermon that may coast the church its tax exempt status. (Funny, the IRS doesn't seem interested in James Dobson's "Values Voters Summit" currently going on. NOTHING political about that, I suppose.)

This is truly a case of David against Goliath and we need to send a clear message that freedom of speech which SUPPORTS Bush isn't the only freedom in this country. The Christian Right violates its mingling of church and politics everyday and gets away with it, apparently, while a church that preaches AGAINST war--something I'm sure Christ Himself would embrace, is now being threatened.

http://news.yahoo.com/...

It would be nice to see our community, regardless of your individual religious beliefs (or lack thereof if it's the case) come out in support of All Saints Church anyway you can. We must stand up for what's right. James Dobson and Jerry Falwell have GOP controlled Washington DC on their side, so folks like those at All Saints need us on theirs.

All Saints Church
132 North Euclid Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101-1706

Thank you.

•  careful!

  maybe it's an urban legend, but I heard once that in order to keep down spiteful accusations, the IRS has a policy of auditing anyone who contacts them about someone else's taxes...

  I know, tinfoil hats and all, but tinfoil hats are the new black, since January 2001.

  More seriously, has All Saints set up a defense fund?

  by BlueinColorado on Fri Sep 22, 2006 at 09:49:24 AM PDT

  •  I just spoke to someone at the church...

    ...and the do have a defense fund. To contribute to it, you would simply send the church a check to the address in the original post and in the memo section write "IRS Defense Fund."

    by sternsieger on Fri Sep 22, 2006 at 10:14:41 AM PDT

•  All Saints

  All the pastor or church has to do is say they won't do it again.  They refuse to do that, daring the IRS to follow up.

  Should Dobson, Falwell, et al be dragged before the IRS to make an account of their unconstitutional approach to religion in a secular country?  Yes.  Should All Saints be allowed to have a mock debate?  No.

  People, it is really simple.  You go to church to be religious and talk about god.  If you want to talk about politics you go to a coffee shop or blog.

  by smokeymonkey on Fri Sep 22, 2006 at 10:19:04 AM PDT

•  pure manipulation

  (cross posted from a similar diary)

  It's the radical right churches that are putting pressure on to have the restrictions on overt campaigning removed.  They admit it outright.

  By going after a 'liberal' church, the Bush/Cheney administration is simply setting up broad(er) public support for removing the restrictions from the right wing churches.

  Don't kid yourself.  They know exactly what they are doing.

  I would rather see the liberal church lose this one, then we can demand equal enforcement of the law.

  Don't be fooled, by contributing to the cause of All Saints, you are contributing to the cause of Dobson.

  by themank on Fri Sep 22, 2006 at 10:20:21 AM PDT

  •  "Don't be fooled, by contributing to the cause of

    All Saints, you are contributing to the cause of Dobson."

    LOL! You say this as if Dobson and company aren't freely mixing religion and politics as it is! The debate in All Saints centered around the question of whether or not Jesus would approve of war or Bush's preemption doctrine. Dobson, shamelessly, plugs candidates who support his psychotic view of the world and raises huge sums of money in the way of 'donations' for his politically charged printed claptrap!

    If this goes to court, the question will be debated in the open and the light of day may finally fall into Dobson & Co. shady dealings. I don't think they want this attention on All Saints either, as many right wing churches have already come out in support of it onthis issue.

    by sternsieger on Fri Sep 22, 2006 at 10:30:04 AM PDT

•  I disagree.

  We should go after all 501( c )3 tax exempt organizations for political advocacy, churches included, and let's not be hypocritical, go after both sides of the aisle. FotF anyone?

  by jdjonsson on Fri Sep 22, 2006 at 10:58:59 AM PDT