FreePlay’s Musings

Someone in the IRS has a bone to pick with Obama.

A little background:

I grew up in a church called the United Church of Christ, which has been gaining prominence in recent years. A fellow member of my church happens to be none other than Barack Obama.

Last June, Senator Obama gave an address at the UCC’s general synod, a nationwide meeting of church members intended to discuss the church’s leadership, official positions on issues, and world mission. Senator Obama was one of more than 31 people to speak at the synod.

Now we learn that the IRS has opened an investigation into the UCC, stating that having Senator Obama speak at the synod was an inappropriate political activity and that it could compromise the church’s tax-exempt status.

This is lower than low. The simple fact that Obama is an active member of our church somehow indicates that we’re all Obama boosters and that we’re promoting him as a candidate? Hardly. Having the man speak at our synod does not equal providing political backing for his election campaign.

And this is beside the point. How about the fact that Catholic churches around the USA campaigned against John Kerry in 2004 because of his stance on abortion? How about the fact that Billy Graham and his church campaigned against JFK for no other reason than that JFK was a Catholic?

Churches – especially conservative churches – have a long history of getting involved in politics and pushing one candidate over another. And politicians have an equally long history of wooing religious groups to try to gain their favor. But in this case, all we have is a candidate going to his own church’s national meeting, along with around 9100 other people. Somehow this, above all else, is inappropriate behavior from a church? Letting him speak?

Pathetic.

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