RICHMOND, Va. - A religious watchdog group claims the Rev. Jerry
Falwell has violated his church's tax-exempt status by endorsing
President Bush and urging followers to donate to a conservative
political action campaign.
The Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed a
complaint Thursday with the Internal Revenue Service seeking an
investigation.
"We want to demonstrate that even the most wealthy and powerful
television preachers are not above the law," said Barry W. Lynn,
executive director of the organization.
In a newsletter sent to supporters July 1, Falwell wrote:
"For conservative people of faith, voting for principle this year
means voting for the re-election of George W. Bush. This is why I am
utilizing this column to urge you to support the Campaign for Working
Families, which is headed by Gary Bauer. It is the organization that
I believe can have the greatest impact in re-electing Mr. Bush to the
Oval Office."
The e-mail appears on the Jerry Falwell Ministries Web site and
includes a link to the contribution Web site for the Campaign for
Working Families.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/anti_cnp/message/186