Church ousts Kerry supporters

Just in case this story hasn't come to your attention, I want to make it available to you here. The Asheville Citizen-Times (North Carolina) has published a story by Andre A. Rodriguez entitled, "Members Say Church Ousts Kerry Supporters". Here's the gist of it:

Nine members of a local church had their membership revoked and 40 others left in protest after tension over political views recently came to a head, church members say.

About 20 members of the 400-member East Waynesville Baptist Church voted the nine members out at a recent deacon meeting, which turned into an impromptu business meeting, according to congregants.

Chan Chandler, pastor of East Waynesville Baptist, had been exhorting his congregation since October to support his political views or leave, said Selma Morris, a 30-year member of the church.

“He preached a sermon on abortion and homosexuality, then said if anyone there was planning on voting for John Kerry, they should leave,” she said. “That’s the first time I’ve ever heard something like that. Ministers are supposed to bring people in.”

Repeated phone calls to Chandler went unanswered Friday, and he was not available at the church or his home to comment. Those members supposedly voted out also could not be contacted Friday.
...
It’s not clear whether the church’s tax-exempt status could be jeopardized.

The Internal Revenue Service exempts certain organizations from taxation including those organized and operated for religious purposes, provided that they do not engage in certain activities including involvement in “any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.”

Valerie Thornton, a spokeswoman for the Internal Revenue Service, said she could not comment on the East Waynesville situation, but said “in general if a church engages in partisan politics, it could put their tax-exempt status in jeopardy.”

As far as I'm concerned, this is simple: If an organization is going to campaign for a particular party or candidate, it needs to pay it's taxes. What this story says about the climate in this country is very disturbing.