October 29, 2004
NAACP or The Catholic Church
Right or Left you ought to be able to answer a question fairly in the privacy of your own mind. Do you believe that the Catholic Church is attempting to alter the votes of its parishioners? Note that the question is not do you believe that they should or should not be allowed to do so. The question I am posing is merely are they trying to affect the votes of their members? If you answered that question in the affirmative then their tax exempt status should be “Evaluated” by the IRS. Instead the IRS is going after the NAACP.
Now if I were picking an organization to tax, the Catholic Church would be on the top of my list. If you were to review the property lists of our major cities the Catholic Church would be the biggest landlord in many of them. Many of the bishops, the rulers of their Dioceses, have said in their sermons and writings that a vote for John Kerry will propel you to hell. If I were in charge of the IRS that might make me believe that the tax-exempt status of the Catholic Church was due for a review. Instead, they have chosen to investigate the NAACP. Need I say the words? “Racist Politics,” there I have said them.
Race and Religion, they are the two greatest dividing issues in American history. Not so? Take a walk through Watts at eleven o’clock on a Saturday night if you’re white, and then tell me that, if you can still talk. Or if you’re black try jogging through the vanilla suburbs on any one of our major cities around dusk without raising a visit by the local police. We have not yet fought a war over religion here in this nation. But the Civil War was certainly at least partly about race unless my history books are bearing false witness.
As for religion, the dividing lines are now being immortalized in literature, if you can call it that. To me it largely reads like lurid pulp fiction from the thirties and forties. I was looking for a book store the other day in an unfamiliar town. The first two I found by cruising the streets had no Hemingway but lots of biblical stories. The fiction section was dominated by the series about the “Coming Rapture” and how the saved are separated from the rest of us. I wonder if the Bishops, who know God’s will regarding the Kerry run for the Presidency, actually read those books?
In any case it is clear that the IRS is dedicated to doing its job fully only in the one case where they could find a tax-exempt organization that didn’t support Bush in this election. I think Julian Bond may have uttered words that indicate his dissatisfaction with this Administration. On the other hand the impact of the bishop’s proclamation on this election will be far heavier than any possible words spoken in a speech by any secular figure.
I am not crying out for a fair and balanced election or whining about the unfairness of it all. My side will get its turn at bat, possibly after this election, and we do know how to play this game too. We have never let go of Chicago, for instance, and Boston is still Democratic in the wards as is NY City. We own LA and are making inroads in Miami, even in the Cuban neighborhoods. We will win an election soon, and when we do the invulnerable today will be crying foul and unfair. I can wait.
The Bishops who presided over the worst scandal in recent history regarding a ministry, the sex abuse scandal among the priesthood are not going to be happy when we take back the White House and Congress. I will work very hard to see to it that election tampering by tax-exempt organizations is very closely monitored by an independent organization set up for that purpose. So will some of my friends who think the idiot bishops have finally given us a means of curbing organized religion’s excesses in our electoral politics that have become so prevalent during the recent past.
Remand your souls to God you manipulating priests, the tax revenues will belong to our Republic, and they will be sweet indeed. May God’s unlimited love keep all of you safe as you vote for whomever you chose, in the integrity of your own being. It is your conscience and your relationship to God that is going to define what happens to your soul in life, and after death, it is not the bishop’s choice to make, even there they have got it wrong. ©Henri Reynard/GoldenBrush Interactive
Posted by Henri Reynard at October 29, 2004 01:19 PMThey didnt even endorse a candidate
(not that we dont know what they are implying).
They just dont support bush.
thats messed up…..
Bush has proven quite adept with ensuring his doctrines are implemented - if it can’t pass the muster of legislative review and approval, then by coercion. This is another example of his attempts to administratively coerce silence to any opposing view.
I don’t believe Bush is racist – rather, that his simplicity cannot appreciate diversity. He has shown no hesitation with testing the constitutional separation of church & state, because in his simplistic view, his church is always right and therefore he is always right; any dissenting opinion must be evil and must therefore be silenced. The NAACP has had the gall to challenge his thinking on things such as affirmative action and must therefore be evil and be silenced.
Many of the bishops, the rulers of their Dioceses, have said in their sermons and writings that a vote for John Kerry will propel you to hell.
Can you provide us with a reputable link about that?
Giovanni
Bush has proven quite adept with ensuring his doctrines are implemented - if it can’t pass the muster of legislative review and approval, then by coercion. This is another example of his attempts to administratively coerce silence to any opposing view.
I don’t believe Bush is racist – rather, that his simplicity cannot appreciate diversity. He has shown no hesitation with testing the constitutional separation of church & state, because in his simplistic view, his church is always right and therefore he is always right; any dissenting opinion must be evil and must therefore be silenced. The NAACP has had the gall to challenge his thinking on issues like affirmative action; they must therefore be evil and be silenced.
Posted by: Francesco Kerns at October 29, 2004 02:43 PMWhat makes the naacp so innocent?
They use false scare tactics to keep our communities seperated and themselves rich.
They openly support democratic candidates and urge their supporters to vote only for democrats.
The naacp is given a public forum wherever they want to spew their anti-Republican views.
They are a totally partisan, so-called organization, that uses its tax exempt status for political reasons.
Why?
Because it all about the money, not the people.
How about if we investigate BOTH? Oh yeah, we can’t, that would be racist.
Posted by: kctim at October 29, 2004 02:56 PMI see a vast difference between the Catholic church’s activities and the NAACP’s. The Catholic church has dealt with issues, but the NAACP has specifically stated that blacks should vote against Bush. The NAACP is blatantly partisan, while the Catholic church is not. In fact, historically, Catholics have supported Democrats much more than they have supported Republicans. It seems to be more partisan sour grapes for Democrats to complain about the Catholic church now that many more members are voting Republican.
Posted by: Troy at October 29, 2004 03:32 PMHenri,
First let me say that I am not a Catholic nor am I advocating for the Catholic Church. In fact I am part of a non-dnominational church and thing the Catholics have some serious flaws in their theology. I also would agree that the sexual abuse needs to be addressed much more harshly.
My question is are you implying that the NAACP should not have their tax exempt status reviewed?
I seem to remember Jessie Jackson, Al Sharpton, Kweisi Mfume and Julian Bond advocating the anyone but Bush mindset. The only difference is that the Bishops are doing it within their parish while the NAACP leadership does it during presidential candidate debates and on national television.
I think it is a sad state of affairs that the “Racist” charge is fired any time things go against a minorities wishes. The NAACP may very well have stepped over the lines governing political activism by a tax exempt organization. Don’t fault the IRS for doing their job in reviewing the NAACP, fault them for not doing their job in reviewing the Catholic Church if you feel they have stepped over those boundaries.
And, may God’s unlimited love keep you safe as well.
John Kerry has - for all intents and purposes - promised not to appoint a fully practicing Catholic to the Supreme Court, since he won’t appoint anyone who might overturn Roe. Some Catholics have returned the favor by advocating a vote against Kerry, who they see as a proponent of abortion. They have not conclusively demonstrated that you will go to hell for doing so. This is what happens when nine old men undertake to decide such an important, political, moral and cultural issue. By taking so important an issue out of the democratic process and deciding it in a court they created the polarization and mischief we experienced for more than a generation and still see today, especially when it comes to the role of faith.
Religious organizations and non-profits in general should be subjected to the same sorts of restrictions applied to Federal employees. That is, individuals can take part and contribute to campaigns, but they can’t engage in fund raising and can’t use their office or position to support particular candidates. If you want to take part in the political process, you should be subject to taxes.
Yes, the Catholic “Church” IS attempting to alter the votes of its parishoners. Case in point: In Michigan, the Catholic Church has sent mailings to EACH parish priest in addition to EACH individual parishoner urging a vote FOR Proposal 2. Proposal 2, as it is written, is redundant in stating “marriage is between one woman and one man” (this is already in the Michigan State Constitution) and goes further to state that any SIMILAR UNION FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE will not be legally recognized. This will negatively impact the lives of not only the “evil, much hated, morally depleted” homosexuals but of upstanding, God fearing straight folks, too. Many of which are probably “recovering” Catholics!
Now you tell me - is the Catholic “Church” trying to affect the votes of its parishoners?
Gee, a Catholic dares not vote his or her conscience under threat of being labled a “Bad Catholic” and potentially excommunicated. MANIPULATION IN ITS HIGHEST MOST DESTRUCTIVE FORM. Status quo for “The Church.”
The Catholic Church is as oppressive as the Republican Party - just older and more experienced.
I was raised in the Catholic faith, but soon saw that it was an oppresive and archaic institution that had very little regard for women. I was not surprised by the stories of priests preying upon children. I knew long ago that priests were weird and that the idea of denying someone a sexual outlet was practically bound to twist the human mind. I think priests should be allowed to marry whether they are straight or gay.
Though I no longer consider myself a Catholic (except for in the literal sense of that word), I do know a lot of Catholic’s; and I have to say that many of them regard the Pope’s and the church’s decrees with a grain of salt and a tolerant, almost affectionate attitude. And then they turn around and do whatever their conscience tells them is good and right for them personally. I suspect this will go for voting, too.
Just because one is a Catholic, doesn’t necessarily mean one is a sheep who can be easily lead.
As for the IRS investigating the Catholic Church: (surprise!) I agree with Jack:
“Religious organizations and non-profits should be subjected to the same sorts of restrictions applied to Federal employees. That is, individuals can take part and contribute to campaigns, but they can’t engage in fund raising and can’t use their office or position to support particular candidates. If you want to take part in the political process, you should be subject to taxes.”
Yes. Separation of Church and State.
But I feel that certain non-profits should be exempt from this - such as the NAACP. I feel they should be able to endorse any political candidate (left, right, or center) who they feel will help them achieve the goals of the black community, since that is their sole purpose for existing.
Posted by: Adrienne at October 29, 2004 07:34 PMI think the whole idea of non-profit churches is
absurd. Large organizations are not non-profit operations. It’s a scam and should be done away with. I have less of a problem with small local groups, but I think it simply is mostly a tax scam. Removing this tax dodge would not end or stop religious belief.
I attended an adult religious education session at my Catholic Church last sunday. A speaker from the Archdiocese said that only 7 of 300 U.S. Bishops have opined about Kerry and claimed his position on abortion/choice means he cannot have communion.The U.S. Catholic Church was (acording the Nation magazine)instrumental in ending funding for the contras. Was that activity also a violation of the seperation against church and state?
Posted by: James O'Donnell at October 29, 2004 09:27 PMI have read most of the post and I have to say that it amazes me how many republicans on this blog don’t see the hypocrisy in the IRS invistigating the NAACP and not the Catholic church. I am african American and catholic. I find the churches actions abhorrent. I also think something stinks when TBN and other evangelical churches can blatanly state that it is someone’s moral obligation to vote for Bush. Pat roberston and CO. has gone so far as to say that Bush is ordained by God. I don’t see their tax exempt status in question.
What makes the naacp so innocent?
They use false scare tactics to keep our communities seperated and themselves rich.
They openly support democratic candidates and urge their supporters to vote only for democrats.
The naacp is given a public forum wherever they want to spew their anti-Republican views.
They are a totally partisan, so-called organization, that uses its tax exempt status for political reasons.
Why?
Because it all about the money, not the people
As for the money issue. The money generated by the NAACP goes to fund the legal defense fund, scholarships, Voter education etc etc.
The NAACP issues report cards on issues that affect people of color. If you would go to the website you will see that by and large Republicans do not support issues that affect People of color. If the republicans don’t like what the NAACP is saying about them maybe it is because it is true.
This administrations record on issues that affect people of color is an abomination. Instead of whining about reverse racism and patronizing blacks by telling them there democratic vote doesn’t count, maybe the Republicans should get serious about issues that affect people of color.
Maybe they should make an effort not to suppress the minority vote and they would not have to worry about organizations like the NAACP criticizing them.
P.S. Contrary to some of your obvious negative opinions about the NAACP it is the National Association For the Advancement of Colored People. This means it is made up of people of color not just blacks. It is the oldest and most respected civil rights organization in this country. It was founded by blacks and whites alike and it still has hundreds of thousands dare I say millions of members who are white.
