Illegal To Encourage Values?
A complaint has been filed against the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association with the Internal Revenue Service, as the Freedom From Religion Foundation seeks to have the Association's tax-exempt status revoked.
FFRF is complaining because of the full-page ads of Billy Graham featured in major newspapers leading up to the November 6 election. But Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel tells OneNewsNow the respected international evangelist was completely within his rights.
Staver, Mat (Liberty Counsel)"Billy Graham did not endorse or oppose a candidate," Staver recalls. "Billy Graham and the Association specifically encouraged people to vote biblical values, to vote those biblical values regarding Israel, life, marriage, and religious liberty. That's perfectly permissible."
But the attorney recognizes that the Freedom From Religion Foundation is free to have its own view and can write a letter of complaint to the IRS, just as anyone else can.
"But the reality is that's permissible under the IRS regulations," he continues. "Clearly, organizations that are non-profit can encourage people to vote consistent with the values that the organization represents -- and that's, in fact, what [the] Billy Graham Association and Billy Graham did."
Staver says the anti-religion legal group wants to strip pastors and non-profit organizations of their right to encourage people to vote their values, "and if you lose that right," he says, "you have no rights at all."
The Liberty Counsel founder does not believe the FFRF complaint will go anywhere. –By Charlie Butts/One News Now/November 16, 2012
A complaint has been filed against the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association with the Internal Revenue Service, as the Freedom From Religion Foundation seeks to have the Association's tax-exempt status revoked.
FFRF is complaining because of the full-page ads of Billy Graham featured in major newspapers leading up to the November 6 election. But Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel tells OneNewsNow the respected international evangelist was completely within his rights.
Staver, Mat (Liberty Counsel)"Billy Graham did not endorse or oppose a candidate," Staver recalls. "Billy Graham and the Association specifically encouraged people to vote biblical values, to vote those biblical values regarding Israel, life, marriage, and religious liberty. That's perfectly permissible."
But the attorney recognizes that the Freedom From Religion Foundation is free to have its own view and can write a letter of complaint to the IRS, just as anyone else can.
"But the reality is that's permissible under the IRS regulations," he continues. "Clearly, organizations that are non-profit can encourage people to vote consistent with the values that the organization represents -- and that's, in fact, what [the] Billy Graham Association and Billy Graham did."
Staver says the anti-religion legal group wants to strip pastors and non-profit organizations of their right to encourage people to vote their values, "and if you lose that right," he says, "you have no rights at all."
The Liberty Counsel founder does not believe the FFRF complaint will go anywhere. –By Charlie Butts/One News Now/November 16, 2012
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Pastor: Bloomberg Brought Hurricane To NYC Because He Supports Marriage Equality
At a rally against marriage equality, fire-breathing pastor Luke Robinson blamed Hurricane Sandy on equality-minded New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and his support for marriage equality.
Robinson's words came Sunday at an anti-Question 6 rally in Maryland — voters will be asked to approve marriage rights in the state on Tuesday — reports the Washington Blade. Robinson, of the Quinn Chapel AME Church in Frederick, Md., pointed his finger at Bloomberg, who recently campaigned for Question 6 and donated $250,000 to the marriage equality cause.
“So here was the mayor of New York giving a quarter of a million dollars, coming down to Maryland discussing the matter,” Robinson said. “While he’s here somebody whispers in the ear, you better go back home and protect your stock because God is sending judgment. The thing came through the area. You have to understand the season and the time. It’s almost the end of hurricane season, but God sent one of the biggest hurricanes ever.” Click here to listen to Robinson's diatribe. –By Neal Broverman/Advocate/November 05 2012
At a rally against marriage equality, fire-breathing pastor Luke Robinson blamed Hurricane Sandy on equality-minded New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and his support for marriage equality.
Robinson's words came Sunday at an anti-Question 6 rally in Maryland — voters will be asked to approve marriage rights in the state on Tuesday — reports the Washington Blade. Robinson, of the Quinn Chapel AME Church in Frederick, Md., pointed his finger at Bloomberg, who recently campaigned for Question 6 and donated $250,000 to the marriage equality cause.
“So here was the mayor of New York giving a quarter of a million dollars, coming down to Maryland discussing the matter,” Robinson said. “While he’s here somebody whispers in the ear, you better go back home and protect your stock because God is sending judgment. The thing came through the area. You have to understand the season and the time. It’s almost the end of hurricane season, but God sent one of the biggest hurricanes ever.” Click here to listen to Robinson's diatribe. –By Neal Broverman/Advocate/November 05 2012
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