{"id":241,"date":"2009-11-13T10:41:30","date_gmt":"2009-11-13T10:41:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/lynnvsekulow\/2009\/11\/congrats-not-criticism-for-the.html"},"modified":"2009-11-13T10:41:30","modified_gmt":"2009-11-13T10:41:30","slug":"congrats-not-criticism-for-the","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lynnvsekulow\/2009\/11\/congrats-not-criticism-for-the.html","title":{"rendered":"Congrats, Not Criticism, for the Catholic Church"},"content":{"rendered":"

There’s nothing wrong with the Catholic Church – or other churches – addressing the issue of abortion.  <\/span>As you know, this country has a rich and welcomed history of turning to churches and houses of worship during the debate of the great moral issues of the day.  <\/span>Let’s not forget the calls to action – to end slavery – and the powerful voices raised during the civil rights movement.  <\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font> <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font>Consider the call to action from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta in 1965.  <\/span>These were his words: “Legislation, executive orders, or judicial decrees will have to control the external effects of bad internal attitudes. Therefore, if we are to realize the American dream, we must continue to work through legislation. So it is necessary for Congress to pass meaningful legislation.”<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That’s exactly what the Catholic Church did with its strong support of the Stupak\/Pitts Amendment, which prohibits federal funding of abortion in health care.  <\/span>The Catholic Church should be congratulated, not criticized, for standing-up for the life of the unborn.  <\/span>We heard from nearly 170,000 Americans – including many Catholics to be sure – who wanted a guarantee that the House health bill would prohibit the use of federal funds for abortions.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Barry, would you have criticized the Catholic Church if it had OPPOSED the Stupak\/Pitts Amendment and it failed to clear the House?<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Let the church speak out.  <\/span>Don’t stifle free speech.  <\/span>Religious leaders not only have a constitutional right to address the moral issues of the day – many believe they have a responsibility to do so.  <\/span>And, if church members don’t agree with the position of the church, they can take it up with church leadership.  <\/span>That’s always the way it’s worked.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Quite frankly, the church needs the ability to speak out more clearly – more forcefully – especially in the political realm.  <\/span>The IRS restrictions on churches and non-profit organizations in the context of political campaigns need to go.  <\/span>The fact is the law barring tax-exempt groups – including churches – from participating in political activity or face the loss of tax-exempt status has politically-motivated origins.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In 1954, then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson sought political retribution against an opponent who was assisted in his campaign by two non-profit organizations.  <\/span>LBJ pushed a little-known amendment that became law that essentially appointed the IRS as the ‘speech police’ for churches and non-profits.  <\/span>It’s an issue we’ve debated here <\/a>before <\/font>and one that I’m sure we will revisit.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I am not surprised that you will be working to strip the pro-life language from the Senate bill.  <\/span>You might not be surprised to learn that we will engage this issue, too, and work just as diligently to ensure that the pro-life remains in place.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With the Senate Majority Leader <\/a>trying to fast-track health care with a promise to bring his package to the Senate floor next week, <\/font>lawmakers are staking out their positions.  <\/span>Sen. Ben Nelson <\/a>of Nebraska says he won’t support any health care bill unless it includes pro-life guarantees. <\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font> <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font>And, Congressman Bart Stupak<\/a>, co-author of the House-passed pro-life Amendment, is working with colleagues in the Senate to keep the language in place.   <\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font> <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font>Barry, you want more<\/i> regulation – this time aimed at lobbying done by religious organizations.  <\/span>I want more free speech. Let the churches and their leaders engage the moral issues in both the legislative and political arenas.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/font> <\/p>\n

To subscribe to “Lynn v. Sekulow” click <\/font>here<\/font><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/font><\/font><\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/font> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There’s nothing wrong with the Catholic Church – or other churches – addressing the issue of abortion.  As you know, this country has a rich and welcomed history of turning to churches and houses of worship during the debate of the great moral issues of the day.  Let’s not forget the calls to action –…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":163,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,8,36,217,172],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-241","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-abortion","category-congress","category-free-speech","category-health-care","category-pro-life-2"],"yoast_head":"\nCongrats, Not Criticism, for the Catholic Church - Lynn v. 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FEC, Sekulow ensured that the constitutional rights of young people remain protected with a unanimous decision by the high court guaranteeing that minors can participate in political campaigns. A nationally recognized and respected defender of religious freedom, Sekulow has assembled one of the most prestigious law firms in the nation.  Founded in 1990, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses in constitutional law.  The ACLJ, under Sekulow's direction, is involved in public interest and public policy issues working to protect religious and constitutional liberties. In 2007, the Chicago Tribune concluded that the ACLJ has \"led the way\" in Christian legal advocacy.  In 2005, TIME Magazine named Sekulow one of the \"25 Most Influential Evangelicals\" in America and called the ACLJ \"a powerful counterweight\" to the ACLU.  Business Week said the ACLJ is \"the leading advocacy group for religious freedom.\"  Sekulow's work on the issue of judicial nominees - including possible vacancies at the Supreme Court - has received extensive news coverage including a front page story in The Wall Street Journal.  In addition, The National Law Journal has twice named Sekulow one of the \"100 Most Influential Lawyers\" in the United States (1994, 1997).  He is also among a distinguished group of attorneys known as \"The Public Sector 45\" named by The American Lawyer (January\/February 1997).  The magazine said the designation represents \"45 young lawyers outside the private sector whose vision and commitment are changing lives.\" Sekulow brings insight and education to listeners daily with his national call-in radio program, Jay Sekulow Live!, which is broadcast throughout the country on nearly 850 radio stations.  Sekulow also hosts a weekly television program, ACLJ This Week, which tackles the tough issues of the day and is broadcast on a number of networks nationwide including the Trinity Broadcasting Network and FamilyNet.  Sekulow is also a popular guest on nationally televised news programs on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, CNBC, and PBS.  He frequently contributes articles and commentary to national publications and is often quoted in the nation's leading newspapers including USA Today, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and Washington Times. A graduate of Mercer University, Sekulow graduated cum laude receiving both a bachelor's degree and doctor of jurisprudence from Mercer University where he served on the Mercer Law Review as an editorial staff member.  Following graduation, Sekulow served as a tax trial attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service.  In that capacity, Sekulow prepared and brought to trial tax cases on behalf of the United States Department of Treasury in United States Tax Court. He also received a Ph.D. from Regent University, with a dissertation on American Legal History, and is the author of numerous publications and law articles. 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