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Floyd's Opinion
Group Tests Falwell Tax ExemptionRichmond Times-Dispatch P.O. Box 85333 Richmond, VA 23293 Attn: Editor of the Editorial Page Dear Sir, I have just read today’s article on the front page of the metro section titled, “Group tests Falwell tax exemption”, by Justin Bergman. I must comment. In this article the group Americans United for Separation of Church and State takes The Rev. Jerry Falwell to task for daring to urge his congregation to vote for the Bush-Cheney ticket this fall. Now, lest you think my opinion is based on a connection to Mr. Falwell or any of his organizations, allow me to assure you that I hold no particular affection for the good reverend. I am simply an observer of the political scene who longs for a modicum of consistency in matters of campaigning and the media that reports on it. Am I the only one who remembers seeing news reports of democrat candidates giving speeches at churches, primarily of black congregations, where the plate is quite literally passed so that the attendees may contribute to the candidate’s campaign coffers? The most recent example of the hypocrisy that pervades this topic is the speech given by the democrats’ presidential candidate, John F. Kerry, at the July 7 convention of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Indianapolis, IN. The “Reverend” Jesse Jackson also spoke at this convention and urged those in attendance to support the Kerry campaign. I believe that the good “Reverend” Al Sharpton, since giving up his own bid for the presidency, has also urged his followers to support Kerry. Will the AUSCS also be filing suit against these people/organizations? If not, why? Are only conservative organizations responsible for violating the separation of church and state? When democrat organizations do the same are they simply exercising their right to free speech and thus are exempt from the same laws? Are those on the left ever going to be willing to be intellectually honest about these questions and admit that, in order to be consistent, they must apply the same hubris toward their own candidates and organizations when churches and their congregations are involved? I do not expect that my questions will cause those who plan to vote for Kerry to change their minds. All I ask for is some consistency and a willingness to admit the transgressions of their own candidates with the same passion that they apply to those on the right. The duplicity that groups like the AUSCS exhibit is so easily disproved, and yet seems to fool so many people, that one can be forgiven for being so disappointed in the ignorance of such an electorate. Yours for liberty, Floyd C. Bayne
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