Comments on: Blackwater, Mormons, and Evangelicals: Prop. 8 Strange Bedfellows

By: equidirt

equidirt — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 03:45:35 +0000

Send the link. Would “hate” to see this unresolved and contribute to more “bigotry” based on a misunderstanding? Fact checking agents of oppression.

Regarding disguised funds, you mention in an earlier email – Suuure!

Aren't blogs fun – you can say anything you can imagine as though it is true.

By: Karoli

Karoli — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 02:47:49 +0000

Then why are they listed on the Secretary of State's listings as
contributors? Contributors who gave big bucks,too.

By: DJS

DJS — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 02:32:59 +0000

"The Mormons have given $8.4 million to the campaign for Proposition 8. That’s the tithes of Mormons, taken out of the church and funnelled into the political process. 8.4 million dollars."

This statement is completely false and defamatory. Have you not read the news, or the LDS Church's own press release encouraging its members to give of THEIR OWN "time and means" to support the Yes campaign? I'm not sure if the number is $8.4 million or not, but whatever the correct number is, it is AFTER-TAX, PERSONAL FUNDS of MEMBERS of the LDS Church, the most faithful of whom already pay a 10% tithe. THE LDS CHURCH ITSELF DID NOT INJECT ONE PENNY INTO THE PROPOSITION 8 CAMPAIGN.

My apologies for "yelling" through the use of all-caps. But post is among several dozen that I have read in the various media that falsely accuses the LDS Church of contributing some of the funds it receives from members' contributions toward the campaign. Fortunately, I read many other articles and posts that have gotten it right. Please read those yourself and confirm their accuracy. Once you have, it would be appropriate for you to issue a correction and retraction.

By: Confused

Confused — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 04:47:10 +0000

"The Mormons have given $8.4 million to the campaign for Proposition 8. That’s the tithes of Mormons, taken out of the church and funnelled into the political process. 8.4 million dollars."

I could be wrong (but don't think so) all donations came from private individuals. The leadership of the church may have encouraged contributions, but no "tithes" from the church were ever funnelled into the campaign.

"I won’t even address how offensive it is to have tax-exempt religious organizations inject money and resources into politics. Whatever their agenda, they are making an effort with a lot of tax-exempt money to shape the political landscape via out-of-state money and resources".

If funds are from private sources, then an organization's tax-exempt status shouldn't even be brought into question. I read the regulations regarding organizations with 501c-3 status and as I understood it they have the right to lobby for issues they support, but not to support/attack political candidates. Maybe I'm simple minded but how does it differ than people donating large sums against the proposition or any other issue? How many of those have 501c-3 status?

Are the people donating it to the church or the the campaign?

By: Jusitn

Jusitn — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:40:39 +0000

What is funny about this is that the Baptists hate the Mormons. I am one of the unfortunates who lives in Utah and is not Mo, and I used to work for a company that sells animated Bible stories (I think they call themselves NEST, or at least they did back in the 90s). They started out making Book of Mormon animated stories, and I remember being told that it would be better that a pornographic movie be accidentally mixed in to a batch of NEST movies sold in the south than it would a Book of Mo video. I still laugh at that today.

By: Jay

Jay — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:17:15 +0000

The LDS church has not donated a dime to proposition 8. Rather church leaders encouraged individual members to do so. “Mormons” have donated millions, but no “tax exempt” tithes have been used for this political purpose. All donations have been voluntarily given from individuals. This is nothing like the California Teachers Union donated $1.5 million union dues to the “No on 8″ campaign without seeking permission from its members.

By: Karoli

Karoli — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:04:09 +0000

Frank,

What tax-exempt money is that, exactly? My contribution to the No on 8
campaign was after-tax, non-deductible funds.

I find it a bit laughable that you would claim to support only selective
freedoms. This is the first time in California history that an amendment to
the state constitution has been proposed that excludes people and creates
different classes of citizens.

Congratulations on the freedom thing, dude.

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:54:44 +0000

"how offensive it is to have tax-exempt religious organizations inject money and resources into politics"

What about all those tax-exempt and tax payer funded organizations that inject money and resources into politics. You have no problem with that? Perhaps it's ok when they support your position.

In the United States we freedom of religion. Most religions believe that marriage is defined as between 1 man and 1 women. No on prop 8 will open up religious organizations to litigation because of their beliefs. This is unacceptable in the United States.

By: KyleSellers

KyleSellers — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:59:52 +0000

Good point… I guess I take it for granted that both churches I've attended in my adult life have given extensive disclosure of all their financial expenditures. If a church would be so sinister as to “hide” political contributions under “Missions Giving”, then they're going to have a bit of explaining to do with the guy upstairs!

By: Karoli

Karoli — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:56:08 +0000

The problem with the opt-in model when it comes to churches? Churches are not obligated to disclose how finances are specifically allocated. They could report funds sent to the yes on 8 groups as missions giving amd we'd never know. Nor would we have anything to say about it.