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How much of this is supported by churches?
by skullaria at 5:04 pm EDT, Jun 5, 2007

I'm in the Bible belt, and sometimes I feel like it is on WAY too tight and I'd like to see its grip loosened some.

That said, I have been made absolutely SICK by churches preaching politics and telling members how to vote. I think it is an abuse of power and an atrocity to God myself, but that is just my opinion.

How, I am a homeschooler. I run a homeschool group in NW Georgia that is SECULAR and INCLUSIVE. Strange, but it turns out it is also mostly liberal.

But, simply because I homeschool that makes me some sort of social suspect. Today I got this email, which I am encouraged to forward.
I won't be going. I did forward it, in CASE anyone would want to go - we do have some Christian families in the group.

I took my child to help campaign for a couple of candidates - one national and one local. I am proud that homeschoolers are so political, and I encourage it - don't get me wrong.

But I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder - how much of this sort of thing is directly or indirectly supported from church funds that are nontaxable? 50.00 for a week wouldn't touch food for my growing boy.

I was very pleased to see the IRS go after one televangelist that told his congregation that if they voted for x candidate they were voting for the devil. It happens all the time. I shake my head.

Do people not see that sort of political pressure from a religious authority that is supported by tax free money is WRONG? There IS a law against it for a reason!

Well, I have a heretic heart, true. However, as an American citizen, I think it is about time that the IRS start watching religious nontaxed institutions for conformance with the law.
If you're going to tell people how to vote and have political camps, it is time you paid taxes. (That goes for liberals too!)

Just a rant. Sorry. Here's the email. I really don't know how they are funded and I'm not accusing them - it is just it makes me WONDER. They could be legit. I only wonder because I saw so much of this and I feel like it is exactly how the far right took control of America.

Forwarding without endorsement.
----------------------------------------------------------
"Political Camp for Georgia Homeschoolers

It is my pleasure to invite you to a special opportunity which is coming to Northeast Georgia in about a week (June 13-19). Dr. Paul Broun (respected Athens physician and conservative leader, www.paulbroun.com) is hosting a Political camp designed to teach teens about grassroots campaigning and aid in his special election bid for congress. Students will be trained in grassroots political tactics and strategies and given hands on experience during a week of positive fun and Christian fellowship under the over sight of noted teen/homeschool leader Tim Echols (www.teenpact.com). Food and housing is all covered at a cost of only $50 for the entire week. I hope that you will be able to join us.

Please direct any questions that you have to:
Georgia Project georgiaproject@gmail.com

Paul Sellers
Georgia Project Director

P.S. Please forward this to any homeschoolers who might be interested, thanks!"

RE: How much of this is supported by churches?
by Rattle at 3:48 am EDT, Jun 6, 2007

But I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder - how much of this sort of thing is directly or indirectly supported from church funds that are nontaxable? 50.00 for a week wouldn't touch food for my growing boy.

"Faith based initiatives" is a term that has both a political and a literal meaning.

Do people not see that sort of political pressure from a religious authority that is supported by tax free money is WRONG? There IS a law against it for a reason!

People don't notice there are winds blowing until those winds are strong enough to blow something down. Even if we had the perfect "cultural radar system", as opposed to something like television, most of the world would spend very little time looking at it. However, when people do turn around and start paying attention to the winds, they tend to do it in large numbers and show great concern.

I see home schooling a show of independence, in direct response to a public/state system. I'm glad it goes on. I've glad we have public schools too. I'm also terrified of what all of it can produce under the wrong circumstances. I see private schools (secular and otherwise) as almost exactly the same thing, just at a different scale.

I support taking multiple approaches to something as important as how we educate our youth. I also share the belief that there are lines that should not be crossed. Were those lines lay, is a pretty damn important cultural dialog, of which I have made no conclusions.

At least this problem has a house of law to blow down before the big bad wolf gets to eat the little piggies. Or something like that...

Just a rant.

It was a good rant.

RE: How much of this is supported by churches?
by PSellers at 11:57 am EDT, Jun 6, 2007

I am the Paul Sellers from the email and I just wanted to clear up some misunderstandings. First off, about the money . . . You are right that 50 bucks couldn't begin to cover the week’s expenses but no church or other non-profit organization is giving anything to our project. Rather the Paul Broun for Congress Committee is paying for the bulk of the week. We are very careful not to jeopardize the non-profit status of organizations. Second, we have run these projects all across the United States over the past several years with great success in Alabama, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Missouri, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Tennessee and Washington D.C. Third, yes there is a decidedly Christian slant to our week, we will have Bible studies in the morning and worship time in the evenings. A large part of my organization’s goal is to minister to the students we are working with. I see no conflict or problem with Christian homeschoolers deciding they want to have an impact in their community.

If you have any questions or are possibly interested in attending please don't hesitate to send me an email at: georgiaproject@gmail.com

Thanks,
Paul Sellers