PRESS RELEASE ** PRESS RELEASE ** PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 9, 2005
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Contact: Rob Boston or Jeremy Leaming
www.au.org
IRS SHOULD INVESTIGATE NORTH CAROLINA CHURCH THAT EXPELLED DEMOCRATS, SAYS
AMERICANS UNITED
East Waynesville Baptist Church Immersed In Partisan Activity, Church-State
Watchdog Group Charges
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today called on the
Internal Revenue Service to investigate a North Carolina church whose
pastor garnered national headlines after he expelled several Democrats from
the congregation.
Recent actions by Pastor Chan Chandler of the East Waynesville Baptist
Church in Waynesville, N.C., are merely indicative of a larger pattern of
partisan political activity at the church, Americans United asserts.
Several newspapers and television stations have reported that on Oct. 3,
2004, Chandler told his congregation, "If you vote for John Kerry, you need
to repent or resign." Church members told the media that prior to the
election, Chandler frequently endorsed President George W. Bush from the
pulpit and attacked Kerry.
"Pastor Chandler seems to have confused his church with a Republican Party
caucus meeting," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of
Americans United. "It's time for the IRS to give him a swift reminder of
the laws of the land."
Section 26 U.S.C. 501 (c) (3) of the tax code states that houses of worship
and other non-profits may "not participate in, or intervene in (including
the publishing or distribution of statements), any political campaign on
behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office."
In a letter sent to the IRS today, Americans United requested an
investigation of the matter. AU noted that during his sermon last Sunday,
Chandler was unapologetic for supporting and opposing candidates from the
pulpit and promised to keep doing it.
"I believe it is obvious that Pastor Chandler has openly defied federal tax
law and is vowing to do so again," Lynn wrote. "I also believe the IRS
cannot afford to ignore such blatant disregard for our nation's tax laws,
as it sends a signal to others religious leaders that they too can engage
in partisan politicking from the pulpit without fear of sanction."
Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington,
D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the
importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
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TAKE ACTION!!
OPPOSE POLITICIZING HOUSES OF WORSHIP
Keep houses of worship from becoming partisan political rally halls!
To send a message to go:
http://www.au.org/site/R?i=8BDHqrM7x5GsMi1tyuUNDw..
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