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Advocacy Blog
Monday, September 18, 2006
A Pasadena California Church In Defense of 2004 Antiwar Sermon
The Internal Revenue Service informed the All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena California that they have until September 29 to turn over all documents it produced during the 2004 election year that have references to any political candidate. In response to this investigation the rector will seek legal aid. All Saints came under IRS scrutiny shortly after Regas, the church's former rector, delivered a sermon that depicted Jesus in a mock debate with then-presidential candidates George W. Bush and John F. Kerry. The sermon did not endorse either candidate. . . . "These people are offended," said the Rev. Ed Bacon, rector of All Saints Episcopal Church, after delivering an impassioned sermon about the investigation to a standing-room-only crowd of about 900. "Freedom of speech and freedom of religion have been assaulted by this act of the IRS, and I think my people want to be heard in court."
Yes, a church may not endorse a candidate, but it has the right to speak about the current events that do not stop in the wake of an election.
The recent LA Times articles can be found here and here. The New York Times also reported today on this issue as elections near.
Posted by Amanda Adams
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