I'm posting the article in case the link expires:
TIA: Bush-Cheney '04 Commits 'an astonishing abuse of religion'; Campaign Seeks to Enlist Tax-exempt Congregations in Campaign
Wed Jun 2, 5:16 PM ET
To: National Desk, Political and Religion Reporters
Contact: Don Parker of The Interfaith Alliance, 202-639-6370
WASHINGTON, June 2 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Today, The Interfaith Alliance denounced an initiative from the Bush-Cheney campaign seeking to enlist campaign support in 1600 "friendly congregations" in Pennsylvania.
"Whether or not this is legal, this is an astonishing abuse of religion," said the Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance. "It is the rawest form of manipulation of religion for partisan gain."
A member of The Interfaith Alliance (TIA) sent a copy of the e-mail she received from the Bush-Cheney campaign asking for volunteers to "serve as a coordinator in your place of worship." A campaign spokesperson in Pennsylvania admitted to Rabbi Jack Moline, a TIA board member, that the email was from the campaign but had only been intended for central Pennsylvania. The spokesperson said that the Bush national headquarters in Virginia had apparently sent it out to others on their list.
"If ever there were a question about the real intent of expanding faith-based initiatives and promoting a presence of religion in government, this tactic puts it to rest," Rabbi Moline said. "The Bush-Cheney campaign has dropped any pretense of honoring the separation of church and state mandated by the Constitution, and puts in jeopardy the non-profit status of 1600 houses of worship by asking them to engage in partisan politics. The President should repudiate this initiative immediately. 1600 Pennsylvania churches for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. How clever. How reprehensible."
The nation's largest interfaith organization, TIA represents more than 150,000 members from more than 75 faith traditions including Christians, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists, and others. TIA promotes the positive, healing role of religion in public life and serves as a progressive voice against the divisive actions of the radical religious right.
"I am disappointed that any campaign would attempt to promote a partisan agenda through churches," said the Rev. Gary L. Harke, executive director, Pennsylvania Council of Churches. "We know that Pennsylvania voters will likely play a decisive role in the outcome of the presidential elections in November, and we encourage people of faith -- as individuals -- to put their values to work for the common good. But congregations should participate only in non-partisan efforts to register voters and encourage civil debate."
"I am troubled by this invitation," said Bishop A. Donald Main, Upper Susquehanna Synod - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and president, Pennsylvania Council of Churches. "We are concerned that this may be an inappropriate mixture of a political campaign in the lives of our congregations. We underscore our commitment to maintaining religious values in a campaign without crossing the clear line between religion and politics."
"Sadly, the Bush campaign is willing to jeopardize churches' tax exempt status, by asking them to endorse his candidacy," said Rabbi Gregory S. Marx, Congregation Beth Or, and treasurer of the Southeast Pennsylvania Interfaith Alliance (SEPIA). "This is one further step, way past Bush's 'Faith Based Initiatives' towards blurring the necessary and historic lines separating church and state."
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The following text is from the email.
Subject: Lead Your Congregation for President Bush (news - web sites)
Dear : The Bush-Cheney '04 national headquarters in Virginia has asked us to identify 1600 "Friendly Congregations" in Pennsylvania where voters friendly to President Bush might gather on a regular basis. In each of these friendly congregations, we would like to identify a volunteer coordinator who can help distribute general information to other supporters. I'd like to ask if you would like to serve as a coordinator in your place of worship. We plan to undertake activities such as distributing general information/updates or voter registration materials in a place accessible to the congregation. If you are interested, please email Luke Bernstein at
[email protected] (mailto:
[email protected] ) your name, address, phone number and place of worship. If you have any ideas, questions, or concerns please do not hesitate to e-mail me or you can call me at 717-233-4066. Thanks, Luke
Paid for by Bush-Cheney '04, Inc
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The Interfaith Alliance provides resources to congregations and religious organizations to help articulate a more appropriate way religion and politics can and do come together.
TIA recommends, for instance, that all voters ask their candidates Five Questions:
Q1. What role should and does your religious faith and values play in creating public policy?
Q2. What are your views on the Constitutional guarantee of the separation of church and state?
Q3. What active steps have you taken and will you continue to take to show respect for the variety of religious beliefs among your constituents?
Q4. Should a political leader's use of religious language reflect the language of his/her religious tradition, or be more broadly inclusive?
Q5. How do you balance the principles of your faith and your pledge to defend the Constitution, particularly when the two come into conflict?
For more information on how to cast an informed vote:
http://www.interfaithalliance.org/fivequestions
Please see:
http://www.interfaithalliance.org/elections
Contact numbers:
Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, 202-639-6370
Rabbi Jack Moline, 202-639-6370
Bishop A. Donald Main, 507-524-9778
Rabbi Gregory S. Marx, 215-646-5806
Rev. Gary L. Harke, 717-545-4761
http://www.usnewswire.com/
