I totally agree with the people bringing the complaint:
The complaint, filed by Fred Karger, founder of the group Californians Against Hate, asserted that the church’s reported contributions — about $5,000, according to state election filings — vastly underestimated its actual efforts in passing Proposition 8, which amended the state’s Constitution to recognize only male-female marriage.
Broadly speaking, California state law requires disclosure of any money spent or services provided to influence the outcome of an election.
...
Mr. Karger said he respected the right of Mormons to vote in line with their religious beliefs, but added “if they’re going to play politics, then they need to play by the rules.”
Amen.
People of faith and churches should be encouraged to share their values, but they need to play by the rules like everyone else. Flouting the laws will not help these churches and frankly puts the special tax-deductible status of churches in jeopardy, as it promotes cynicism about religious organizations.
At some point Joe and Jane are bound to ask -- why do some people get tax deductions for essentially giving money to their church that has essentially become a "religious PAC"?
Posts
And don't think the Mormon Church's anti-gay efforts are just the Prop 8 story. They've been involved in sabotaging gay organizations, spying on gay individuals, and perhaps worse for years. If the full extent of their anti-gay efforts were brought to light...well, I think America would be shocked. Prop 8 is the just the tip of the iceberg.
ReplyDelete