AU story about Justice Sunday Pastor getting Faith-based funds

[TayTay]

Alito Rally Pastor Received 'Faith-Based' Funds From Bush Administration, Watchdog Group Reports
Wednesday, January 4, 2006

Church-State Watchdog Group Notes That 'Justice Sunday III' Pastor Has Received $1 Million In 'Faith-Based' Funds

Pastor Herb Lusk, the Philadelphia preacher hosting the Religious Right-led “Justice Sunday III” rally this weekend, has a long history of partisan activity on behalf of Republicans and has been awarded more than $1 million in “faith-based” grants by the Bush administration, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

The event at Greater Exodus Baptist Church, which will be broadcast nationwide, is intended to rally support for the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito Jr., President George W. Bush’s choice to replace Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

“I’m not at all surprised that Pastor Lusk would turn his pulpit over to the Religious Right for partisan purposes,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “Lusk long ago decided to play ball with the Bush administration in exchange for government grants.”

Lynn noted that Lusk endorsed Bush from his church by video hookup during the Republican Convention in July of 2000. Speaking on behalf of his congregation, Lusk said, “We are supporting Gov. Bush, and we are supporting him because we know that he understands that we must give faith a chance.” After Bush was elected, his administration began funneling tax money to Lusk’s church.

http://www.au.org/site/News2?abbr=pr&page=NewsArticle&id=7775&JServSessionIdr005=bovttwd3i1.app5b

Quid pro quo is the whole basis for these corruption charges against the Repubs. Nice work by Americans United for Separation of Church and State!

[Ezlivin]

1. End all church tax exemptions now!

It's the only way to be sure.

[Maat]

3. Yes, I think that we have to stop pretending that certain ..

religious organizations, or "ministries," are anything but political machines!

I have James Dobsons' organizations in mind.

[Maat]

2. Yeah, Rev. Barry Lynn.

He tells it like it is!

Since I have a law degree, and I'm very proud of the hard work I put in to get it, I always have to mention that Barry has a Juris Doctor also!

He really is a well-educated man, and he knows how to express what many of us feel so well!

[TayTay]

7. I love this organziation.

They are on my 'must give money' list every year. I wholeheartedly support them.

[BR_Parkway]

4. So the preacher who didn't endorse Kerry gets investigated by IRS

but this wingnut doesn't?

[knitter4democracy]

5. What an odd name for a church.

Greater Exodus Baptist Church? An exodus is great? They think that an exodus in the States is greater somehow? I don't get it.

I've had a bad feeling about all of those connections for a long time. Too many religion majors I knew at my evangelical college were all about power and money--getting the best-paying, biggest mega-church jobs but were pretty much dead spiritually. There were good ones, and chances are, they're at small churches working hard for their congregations and barely paying the bills.

[NI4NI]

6. Lusk played pro football in Phila.

and he wasn't that good.
Are there public records somewhere of what that million dollars was spent on?