As you may have heard in the news, the IRS has just launched an investigation as to whether or not the United Church of Christ should lose its tax exempt status based on a claim made by the IRS that a speech given by Senator Barack Obama at General Synod last summer was in fact a political event benefiting his campaign. As this video proves nothing could be further from the truth:
Edith Guffey, the administrator of General Synod, made these remarks to General Synod attendees on the morning that Senator Obama was to speak. This video proves without question that the Senator's speech was not a political event - and that the UCC was not promoting his campaign.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
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8 comments:
This video doesn't prove or disprove anything. The allegations that the IRS is investigating are that:
1) Obama's candidacy was referenced on the UCC web site,
2) Obama's candidacy was referenced before and during the speech
3) Campaign promises were made during the speech
4) There were campaign workers soliciting support at the entrance to the Civic Center.
This video does not disprove those allegations.
Hi Drew. Nice to see your semi-daily e-mail saying something bad about the UCC. I'll look forward to what you have new for tomorrow.
You'll forgive me if I disagree with the "facts" you state.
Chuck,
Drews facts are accurate. Obama's candidacy was mentioned at least twice on the UCC News web site in announcement's promoting the speech. Obama's candidacy was referenced before (see above) and during the speech (see transcript of speech). Obama did repeat a campaign promise during the speech (see transcript). There were campaign workers soliciting support at the entrance to the Civic Center. I know that you officially signed on to Obama's campaign months ago, but how can you disagree with what is so easily shown to be true?
Jeff
This is not an issue about who you think should or shouldn’t be president. I’m not going to comment on that on this web site though my personal feelings are widely known and I don’t mind if others take them into account.
The issue here are the claims made by the IRS. Edith makes it clear in her opening statement that this is not a campaign event. Campaign workers were kept across the street – away from the venue where the UCC had no jurisdiction. Clearly, as Americans United has said, the IRS has no leg to stand on. That should be clear no matter what candidate you support.
Chuck,
1. Your association with the Obama campaign is relevant every time you post something that addresses this years presidential election, and you ought not assume that everyone who visits this offical blog of the UCC knows about your association.
2. AU's Barry Lynn is a UCC minister, so his opinion on this matter is hardly free of bias. He has filed complaints against other churh's under very similar circumstances. Because he is a UCC minister and has a reputation as an activist in Church/state matters, I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that he was consulted by the national setting of the UCC about this matter before and/or after Obama's speech.
3. Did AU really say "the IRS has no leg to stand on"?
4. Regardless of which candidate you support, it should be clear that the IRS does have a leg to stand on because of the numereous violations of IRS guidelines mentioned in drew's comments above. Whether or not those violations are sufficient for the IRS to take any action against the UCC is another question.
Jeff.
As a CT volunteer at Synod this summer I recall that campaign workers were on the sidewalk outside the entrance of the civic center. I was also disappointed that Senator Obama stumped a bit in his speech.
Perhaps the UCC did not cross the line, but Senator Obama and his campaign did not stay firmly on their side of it.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
A much better solution would be for ALL churches to lose their tax exempt status. As it stands now, we've got the federal government deciding what is and is not a religion.
Our pastor atttended the conference in Hartford. He noted that in addition to Sen. Obama, speakers included Lynne Redgrave and Bill Moyers. He noted the Senator’s remarks did not concern politics.
He did state there were some campaign tables but they were well outside the conference facilities and were on public sidewalks.
This would all seem to be well outside the IRS scrutiny.
As tax time does draw near for many Americans, these controversies are also reminiscent of Christ's Tax Return itself as noted by that First Century CPA Saint Matthew, in The Gospel According to Saint Matthew 17:24-27 .
'... "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes - ”from their own sons or from others?"
"From others," Peter answered.'
Peter and Jesus had to go fishing for their tax money.
Maybe this time it is the IRS which has nothing to do but fish.
:-)
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