Top Ten Power Brokers of the Religious Right

According to a post on Alternet, for the past two years, numerous media pundits have been all abuzz over the so-called “death” of the Religious Right. There is one problem, however: Someone forgot to tell the Religious Right.

A recent Americans United study of the finances and influence of the Religious Right shows a movement that is very much alive and kicking. Indeed, our research shows that the nation’s leading Religious Right organizations took in more than half a billion dollars over a recent 12-month period. Several of the organizations reported dramatic increases in their budgets; only a few showed a drop.

For budgetary data, Church & State relied on Internal Revenue Service Form 990, a document that most 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) tax-exempt groups are required to file. In most cases, the figures come from a period spanning the end of 2006 and the beginning of 2007.

1. Christian Broadcasting Network

Founder and Chairman: The Rev. Pat Robertson

2006 Revenue: $246,986,289

Location: Virginia Beach, Va.

Web site: www.cbn.org

2. Focus on the Family

Founder and Chairman: James C. Dobson

2006 Revenue: $156,972,266

Location: Colorado Springs, Colo.

Web site: www.focusonthefamily.org

3. American Center for Law and Justice/Christian Advocates Serving Evangelism

Founders: Pat Robertson (ACLJ) and Jay Sekulow (CASE)

2007 Revenue: $42,658,159

Location: Virginia Beach, Va., Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, Ga.

Web site: www.aclj.org

4. Alliance Defense Fund

President, CEO and General Counsel: Alan Sears

2007 Revenue: $31,674,124

Location: Scottsdale, Ariz.

Web site: www.alliancedefensefund.org

5. American Family Association

Founder and Chairman: The Rev. Donald Wildmon

2007 Revenue: $22,547,087

Location: Tupelo, Miss.

Web site: www.afa.net

6. Family Research Council

President: Tony Perkins

2007 Revenue: $11,783,971

Location: Washington, D.C.

Web site: www.frc.org

7. Concerned Women for America

Founders: Tim and Beverly LaHaye

2007 Revenue: $10,640,810

Location: Washington, D.C.

Web site: www.cwfa.org

8. Jerry Falwell Ministries

Founder: The Rev. Jerry Falwell

2007 Revenue: $4,208,989

Location: Lynchburg, Va.

Web site: www.falwell.com

9. Southern Baptist Convention/Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission

2007 Revenue: $205,716,834; ERLC Revenue: $3,394,327

Location: Nashville, Tenn., and Washington, D.C.

Web site: www.sbc.net

10. Council for National Policy

Executive Director: Steve Baldwin

2007 Revenue: $1,680,914

Location: Washington, D.C.

Web site: None

A Call for Mormons to Lose Tax Exempt Status

In their multi-million dollar effort to once again ban same-sex marriage in California, it is apparent the Mormon church has over-stepped their tax-free boundaries (according to the IRS laws anyway). So, I’m curious as to why action hasn’t been brought against them. Should the Mormon church (LDS) lose their tax exempt status for their involvement in banning California gay marriage? Read these IRS rules and decide for yourself!

IRS on Tax Exempt Status:

Section 501(c)(3) describes corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literacy, or educational purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition (but only if no part of its activities involve the provision of athletic facilities or equipment), or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided in section (h)), and which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.

IRS on Lobbying:

In general, no organization, including a church, may qualify for IRC section 501(c)(3) status if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying). An IRC section 501(c)(3) organization may engage in some lobbying, but too much lobbying activity risks loss of tax-exempt status.

What’s your opinion? Let us know!

Churches Defy IRS by Openly Endorsing McCain

According to a post in the WSJ:

The Rev. Fran Pultro shrugged off federal laws restricting his role in partisan politics Sunday, telling 45 people at Calvary Chapel on the King’s Highway in Philadelphia that preserving conservative social values was of the utmost importance in this election.

“As Christians it’s clear we should vote for John McCain,” said Mr. Pultro from the church’s stage. “He is the only candidate I believe a Christian can vote for.” Mr. Pultro was one of several ministers across the country, citing Scripture and their free-speech rights, who endorsed or criticized a presidential candidate inside their church, in apparent violation of federal tax law, all part of a mass protest led by a conservative legal-aid group.

Read the rest by clicking here.