WA Catholic Church Begins Fundraising Directly for Anti-Gay Election PAC

Comments

I think that was the 11th commandment - "Thou shalt actively lobby against gays and lesbians whilst maintaining thy tax-exempt status."

Urgutha Forka on August 27, 2012 at 11:44 AM

And say good bye to your tax exempt status.

fairly.unbalanced on August 27, 2012 at 11:49 AM

In a perfect world, someone would stage a Mass walkout of Catholics who support equal rights for all humans, and no one would show up to church on September 8/9.

lunasea on August 27, 2012 at 11:51 AM

For folks who are interested, the Freedom from Religion Foundation has a pretty good rundown on churches illegally engaging in campaign activity and how to complain. Like I said, I don't think this constitutes anything illegal. (Though I think it should be and that, if the Catholic Church is going to work for a PAC, their exempt status should be revoked.)

Dominic Holden on August 27, 2012 at 11:56 AM

revoke! revoke! revoke!

Adrian Ryan on August 27, 2012 at 12:04 PM

dom

you ignorant little pussy.

churches may not campaign for candidates.

they may campaign for or against policy proposals.

they must have covered that point of federal tax law the year you skipped......

on August 27, 2012 at 12:08 PM

The Catholic Church teaching moral values? Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Oh, stop, you're killing me!

Pope Peabrain on August 27, 2012 at 12:14 PM

Liberal churches in Washington State are already doing the same thing for the other side - asking congregants to make donations to Washington United and mail them in directly in the envelopes provided by the Approve R 74 campaign.

The difference is that liberal churches are deciding to do this themselves. They aren't being told to do so by their superiors.

As mentioned, churches can work on referendum and initiative campaigns without jeopardizing their tax exempt status. What they cannot do is work for specific candidates.

NotYourStrawMan on August 27, 2012 at 12:15 PM

@6) As the IRS document I linked to explains:

Legislation includes action by Congress, any state legislature, any local council, or similar governing body, with respect to acts, bills, resolutions, or similar items (such as legislative confirmation of appointive offices), or by the public in a referendum, ballot initiative, constitutional amendment, or similar procedure.

Like I said, they can spend money on these activities related to policy proposals in limited quantity. Thanks for playing Slog. Better luck next time!

Dominic Holden on August 27, 2012 at 12:17 PM

We should burn the bishops of the Catholic Church at the stake. Westlake's been pretty slow lately. Maybe some priestly BBQ would liven things up

Cato the Younger Younger on August 27, 2012 at 12:17 PM

I don't live in WA anymore and I certainly don't attend church anymore, but if I did, I would either walk out during the reading of the bigoted screed or stand and physically turn my back on the reading. If you feel the need to continue attending church services, but disagree with this stance of your church, do SOMETHING to let the powers that be know you disagree. Don't just sit there politely going with the flow.

Please.

Cracker Jack on August 27, 2012 at 12:19 PM

Actually, as a Catholic, this is the best news I've heard all day. It means I can put money in the collection basket knowing (hoping) it will go to paying the bills or buying new mats for the winter shelter or whatever, and not towards this campaign.

Teshumai on August 27, 2012 at 12:22 PM

@#9
A supercilious Slog commenter turns out to be smugly ignorant in their arrogant and baseless claims? Heavens forfend!

Warren Terra on August 27, 2012 at 12:23 PM

@12

Assuming they're honest about how they use those donations.

seatackled on August 27, 2012 at 12:25 PM

Time to fight these bastards! GLBT activists should protest outside these churches on those days. Or, better yet a bunch of activists should fill those churches on those days. Get there at least an hour early, take up all the seats and then, when the envelopes are passed around, take them and put them in your pockets, purses, etc and don't give them back.

There is no law that states that non Catholics don't have the right to sit in on Catholic services. Don't be disruptive, just sit there silently. And take all the empty envelopes that come your way.

passionate_jus on August 27, 2012 at 12:34 PM

10

Lets try this....

We should string up some niggers from the nearest tree....

ooooh.

The SPLC wouldn't like that.

Not at all.

Lucky for you anti-xtian bigotry is A-OK in these Qunited States of Gaymerica.

on August 27, 2012 at 12:55 PM

@8 That's exactly what I was thinking - for every priest who uses his pulpit to bully his congregants into funding anti-gay marriage rhetoric, I'd like to see a pastor or minister stand up and let his/her congregation know that being Christian doesn't mean you have to be against gay marriage! Yes, there are some loudmouth rightwingers who seem to interpret it that way, but people who term themselves "moderate Christians" are no more likely to be anti-gay than atheists are.

Slartibartfast on August 27, 2012 at 1:10 PM

9

don't get smart with us, you little piece of shit

how, exactly, is the AB "hedging closer to the line", asswipe?

and it matters not at all what size chunk of what parishioners contribute he is collecting, as long as those donations are not to the Church.

next time perhaps you could shove your innuendo up your ass and try to fuse an intelligent thought and your brain.....

(did you piss on yourself when Warren brayed...prayed at Obama's inaugural?)

on August 27, 2012 at 1:13 PM

Question: Several times you have referred to Vatican II "redefining marriage." Can you be more specific? and how can the Church "redefine" a Sacrament?

Answer:

http://www.rosarychurch.net/answers/qa06…

Supreme Ruler Of The Universe on August 27, 2012 at 1:43 PM

Where, oh where, is Pussy Riot when you need them?

gnossos on August 27, 2012 at 2:25 PM

Holden,
Why did you promote Tyson to an archbishop? Even the Catholic hierarchy finds him an annoying guy so they shipped him off to Yakima, so the bishop in Seattle didn't have to deal with him anymore.

BelieveInNuances on August 27, 2012 at 2:43 PM

Be sure to check out the list of all the churches and other communities of faith on OUR side in this campaign. At
http://washingtonunitedformarriage.org/c…

The list grows daily. And, yes, they/we are raising money and working to educate voters about why some people of faith support marriage equality BECAUSE of our faith.

NotYourStrawMan on August 27, 2012 at 3:06 PM

I always feel the love of Jesus when I read the unregistered comments.

floater on August 27, 2012 at 3:09 PM

There's nothing of Jesus in those troll comments.

NotYourStrawMan on August 27, 2012 at 3:29 PM

25

no sport, that feeling is The Truth ripping you a new asshole....

on August 27, 2012 at 3:40 PM

26

boohooooooo.......

on August 27, 2012 at 3:42 PM

@26 - The troll has claimed many times that he's not a Christian. (Duh, right?) He just hates gays, and thus will take any port in a storm.

Free Lunch on August 27, 2012 at 6:32 PM

29

hate?!

Nous?!

Au Contraire!!

Just in the unpopular business of speaking Truth to Power....

on August 27, 2012 at 7:14 PM

WA Catholic Church Begins Fundraising Directly for Anti-Gay Election PAC

Comments

Please wait...

Add a comment

Preview

Editors' Picks

Killer Prophets?

The More I Learn About Breast Milk, the More Amazed I Am

Belltown Bloom's Electrifying Pussy Power

How Will Conservatives Smear City Council Candidates This Election?

Mayor Harrell Delays Climate Action He Already Weakened

Tenant Dead, Sheriff’s Detective Shot After Eviction Attempt in Ballard

Support The Stranger

Comments

Please wait...

Add a comment

Preview

Editors' Picks

Just Can't Get Enough?

Sign up for our newsletter for news recaps, updates, and more!