Baptists Oust Non-Bush Backers
WAYNESVILLE, N.C., May 8, 2005
(AP) Calling it a “great misunderstanding,” the pastor of a small church who led the charge to remove nine members for their political beliefs tried to welcome them back Sunday, but some insisted he must leave for the wounds to heal.The Rev. Chan Chandler didn’t directly address the controversy during the service at East Waynesville Baptist Church, but issued a statement afterward through his attorney saying the church does not care about its members’ political affiliations.
“No one has ever been voted from the membership of this church due to an individual’s support or lack of support for a political party or candidate,” he said.
Nine members said they were ousted during a church gathering last week by about 40 others because they refused to support President Bush. They attended Sunday’s service with their lawyer and many supporters. The pastor’s lawyer also attended the service.
Well, certainly it was a great misunderstanding. Specifically, it was a great misunderstanding of what Christianity is supposed to be.
I can’t help wondering if part of the preacher’s willingness to recant had something to do with being informed of the tax implications of overt political partisanship by a tax-exempt religious organization.
Hmmm….
testing 
well, if Rep. Jones (R-NC) has his way…
perhaps the preacher anticipated H.R. 235 passing.
“No member or leader of an organization described in section 501(q) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by section 2) shall be prohibited from expressing personal views on political matters or elections for public office during regular religious services, so long as these views are not disseminated beyond the members and guests assembled together at the service.”
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/C?c109:./temp/~c109H3t4GQ
http://www.au.org/site/News2?JServSessionIdr003=2u49khpxv3.app5b&abbr=pr&page=NewsArticle&id=7353&security=1002&news_iv_ctrl=1241
Re: well, if Rep. Jones (R-NC) has his way…
Ah – I hadn’t been aware of this one, but hell, I should have seen it coming.
Let the Blood Bath begin!
Seriously, I’m beginning to think that the only thing that will remind Amerikans why separation of Church and State is such a Good Idea is inter-religion bloodshed. Which is coming, since Fundies always turn on each other once they’ve finished attacking everyone else.