Rev. Peterson Critical of Bill Clinton, Gray Davis Politics In Black Church

BOND (Brotherhood Organization of A New Destiny) ^ | September 17, 2003 | Ermias Alemayehu

[NewDestiny]

LIAR, LIAR!

LOS ANGELES - Former President Bill Clinton delivered a pro-Democrat message from the pulpit of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church (First AME) in Los Angeles on Sunday morning, in support of embattled incumbent California Governor Gray Davis. The former president, who was impeached for lying under oath about his affair with a White House intern urged blacks to forgive the mistakes Davis “may” have made in handling California’s economy and the 2000 energy crisis, and to vote against the October 7 recall election. Clinton received roaring applause from the predominantly black congregation headed up by the popular Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray.

BOND Founder and President Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson took issue with the event, including its location: “Liberals are big on separation of church and state, so where’s the outcry from the ACLU, the Rev. Barry Lynn (Americans United for Separation of Church and State), and others about this obvious violation? It appears the same rules don’t apply to liberal black churches and Democratic Party officials. This is a blatant double standard, and the silence from the left is deafening,” Rev. Peterson said.

Rev. Peterson also criticized the sponsors of Sunday’s gathering: “Cecil Murray is an example of what is wrong with the black church. Murray and his followers are celebrating evil. They embrace Clinton and Davis, both of whom are liars who should be rebuked,” said Rev. Peterson.

Bill Clinton told the congregation, “It’s you that I’m worried about… I don’t want you to be the laughing stock of the country…” Rev. Peterson responded, “As a result of most blacks lacking moral character, and their blind allegiance to ‘leaders’ such as Clinton, Davis, and the Congressional Black Caucus, they’re already the laughing stock.”

BOND (Brotherhood Organization of A New Destiny) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to “Rebuilding the Family By Rebuilding the Man.” Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson’s new book SCAM: How The Black Leadership Exploits Black America will be available in stores October 2003.

Rev. Peterson will be a guest on "Hannity & Colmes" tonight at 3 p.m. EST / 6 p.m. PST to discuss this issue.

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[sarasota]

Is this the only voice that's going to address this? Others?

[LiteKeeper]

If that had been a WASP church we would still be hearing about it - DOUBLE STANDARD ALERT!!!!

[TXBubba]

I noticed this right off when it happened. But of course I'm not on the left. You are correct. If it had been in a white church they would have been screaming from the rooftops.

[gdani]

“Liberals are big on separation of church and state, so where’s the outcry from the ACLU, the Rev. Barry Lynn (Americans United for Separation of Church and State), and others about this obvious violation?

The Establishment Clause -- as well as the rest of the Bill of Rights -- is meant to check govt power. There is no govt involvement in any aspect of this controversy so I fail to see what it is a violation of.

[Political Junkie Too]

Jesse Jackson Jr. Says Church Politicking 'Supersedes the Law'

It may be against federal election law to campaign in church. But for Democrats seeking to get out the vote in minority districts, politicking from the pulpit has become indispensable.

In the last days of this year's campaign, Vice President Al Gore, Senate candidate Hillary Clinton and her husband have all made regular appearances at African-American and Hispanic churches.

Even when parishioners objected to Mrs. Clinton campaigning from the altar at a Rochester, N.Y., Catholic church last week, the rules were not enforced. Those who didn't like it were simply ejected by police while the first lady continued her campaign speech.

Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., whose namesake is both a reverend and one of the Democratic Party's most vocal boosters, was challenged on the issue Monday during a Tennessee radio interview on WLAC-AM by "Nashville This Morning" hosts Steve Gill and Terry Hopkins.

GILL: Let me ask you about this. It's against IRS regulations for politicians to campaign from the pulpit. Why are these politicians campaigning in black churches?

JACKSON: I'm not totally convinced that's true in the African-American community. Certainly there's a separation of church and state. But in our community there's little distinction between our religion and our politics. ... And so in many African-American churches born out of experience in this country, the role of the churches has evolved into a very, very active political institution which has been very effective for a number of causes in the black community.

HOPKINS: And that supersedes the law?

JACKSON: Absolutely. Oh, absolutely.

-PJ

[I_love_weather]

Ummm Clinton is not part of the government? Last I checked.

I don't like the man...but he has a right to speak his mind in whatever church he likes.

Are we calling for the censor of those who speak in our churches?

Don't like his message? Then don't attend...what everyone surely knew...would be a PRO-DEMOCRAT love fest.

[Abe Froman]

That is true----there should be no violation. However, my predominately white northern-european baptist church would risk losing their tax-exempt status if they so blatantly pandered to and promoted a political candidate such as, for instance, Pat Buchanan. Did this Methodist church lose theirs??? Doubtful.

Churches should be free not only to promote their faith and ideology, but also those people who share it and would take those ideals into office. However, missaplication of the tax-exemption rules allow those in power to harass churches that promote candidates they disagree with while ignoring others.

[gdani]

GILL: Let me ask you about this. It's against IRS regulations for politicians to campaign from the pulpit. Why are these politicians campaigning in black churches?

Except it's *not* against IRS regs. What is against the regs is for the church as an organization or for the leadership of the church - in their official capacity - to endorse a candidate. This is assuming that the church is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

It *is* allowable under IRS regs for churches to invite politicians campaigning for office to address the pulpit and speak on whatever subject they wish, including their campaign -- again, as long as the church or its leaders are not endorsing the politician.

In any event, Clinton is not running for any office & we should all rest easier knowing that.

[Abe Froman]

Again, you are missing the point. Tax-exemption laws for churches contain language that prohibits campaigning from the pulpit. A church can risk losing its tax-exempt status if they are blatantly stumping for a candidate. However, this law does not seem to apply to any church rooting for a democrat.

[gdani]

Tax-exemption laws for churches contain language that prohibits campaigning from the pulpit. A church can risk losing its tax-exempt status if they are blatantly stumping for a candidate

Those tax exemption regs prohibit campaigning from the pulpit when it's done by the pastor or other representatives of the church.

The regs do not prevent other people not associated with the church from campaigning from the pulpit.

[OldFriend]

Uh, about that separation of church and state that the dems were just hyperventilating about????????????????

And about the statement condemning this by the ACLU.......(just kidding)

[sticker]

Not if they same cast of theives were present, as long as it is the lefts's side that is being presented the media doesn't care where it happens. The media is only concerned if a view that they disagree with sees the light of day. This church and any other church that becomes a politcal rally should lose their tax expemtion.

[NCC-1701]

This wouldn't happen during services in the Catholic Church. At least the ones I've been in. If it did happen and I was present, there would be two empty seat, as my wife and I would up and leave. This IS a clear double standard of the left. Hold their feet to the fire on this. It's just one more bullet in my arsenal to repudiate the pricks on the left. They say we can't do it while they themselves revel in the attention such political rallies such as this gets. If it did happen in a Catholic Church, it would be during a time that The Body of Christ is not present and the Eternal Flame is extinguished. We hold non-religious events during those times. NEVER DURING A REGULAR SERVICE!!!!! clinochio, jesse jackass, the aclu, and all the other leftists can take a leap.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

...In this address, CLINTON again lied.

...Californians have the Right to Recall its Governor for any reason, any time.

...CLINTON told us that we didn't.

'Black is White, White is Black'

[Abe Froman]

This is what the IRS defines as prohibited "political campaigning": "participating or intervening, directly or indirectly, in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office."

Allowing Bill Clinton to stump for Gray Davis definitely fits the definition of "participating indirectly on behalf of a candidate for public office."

[MayflowerMadam]

"I don't like the man...but he has a right to speak his mind in whatever church he likes."

Um... No. He doesn't. Not from the pulpit, anyway. Maybe in the vestibule in a quiet conversation with another parishoner. It's the law. Unfortunately, it's only the law for WASPs and Conservatives. Wish we had an active group to counter the ACLU -- a group that would be jumping in every time something like this happens and KEEP IT FAIR!

[Abe Froman]

You know I don't think they should lose their tax exemption, just as conservative churches should not lose theirs for campaigning for republican candidates. However, in light of the existence of the law, the hypocritical and subjective application of it is infuriating.