Bush Engages in Shocking Attempt
to Politicize Churches

Rev. Nathan Wilson
June 10, 2004

The George Bush reelection campaign launched a plan that ignores both tax law and congregational dynamics in an attempt to enlist 1,600 "friendly" houses of worship in campaign activities.

" This appalling plan jeopardizes both the tax exempt status of houses of worship and could divide congregations with partisan politics, leaving them split asunder," said the Rev. Dr. Albert Pennybacker, CEO of the Clergy Network for National Leadership Change.

" I've been around for a while," said Pennybacker, "and this is the most blatant and manipulative attempt I've seen to politicize religious communities for stridently partisan political purposes."

An e-mail from the Pennsylvania affiliate of the Bush Campaign says "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." The email continues to say that plans include distributing material and registering voters.

" If I were a Pennsylvania pastor receiving such an e-mail, I would take it into the pulpit and publicly repudiate both the request and those who sent it," said Pennybacker.

The Rev. Nathan Wilson, a Disciples minister in Kentucky who is also a political consultant, said, "If not complete desperation, this plan and its accompanying legislation indicates a campaign that is feeling very nervous about running on their record and accomplishments."

" When incumbents use these gimmicks, it is to hide what their record behind smoke screens of personality and "feel good" tricks in an attempt to placate voters," said Wilson.

The legislation to which Wilson referred was introduced a week after the Pennsylvania email. Entitled "Safe Harbor for Churches," the provisions would amend the tax code to permit churches to engage in political campaigns while maintaining their tax-exempt status. Under the legislation, houses of worship would be allowed to "accidentally" endorse political candidates up to three times in an election cycle without losing their tax-exempt status.

" The very fact that the provisions are buried inside a job-creation bill, rather than standing on their own, says much about the intent to deceive fellow lawmakers and the American public," said Pennybacker. "It is absolutely dreadful how far this Administration will go to win campaigns!"

" The Clergy Network invites clergy and lay leaders who want a future more clearly shaped by God's will for the well-being of all to go to our web site, www.clnnlc.org said Pennybacker.