A clash of church and state

Re “Pasadena Church May Fight IRS Summons,” Sept. 18

It is the prerogative of churches to address issues in which morality is in question, regardless of who is guilty. Theologians have greater authority in these matters than the Internal Revenue Service.

Theologians are called upon by their office to challenge policies affecting faith and morals and offending the common good. They are obliged to teach and educate.

It is not surprising that the Rev. George F. Regas, the Rev. Ed Bacon and the people at All Saints have done this. What is surprising is that an agency of the federal government -- a government that has violated many laws -- should take them to task for doing what they are supposed to do.

SISTER PATRICIA KROMMER

St. Joseph of Carondelet

South Pasadena

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This is another example of the blatant misuse of government power by the current administration. While numerous fundamental super-churches across the nation are allowed virtual carte blanche in the pursuit of their conservative political agendas, the administration brings the full force of the government down on a small congregation in Pasadena for having the audacity to state that war is bad.

The selective enforcement of IRS regulations to silence critics and questioners is a criminal misuse of scarce regulatory resources that are needed elsewhere. This misuse of IRS power is reminiscent of the Nixon administration with its enemies lists and IRS audits of those in opposition. I wish those at All Saints well in this fight -- they are fighting for us all.

DIRIK LOLKUS

Fountain Valley

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On Nov. 1, 2004, a Times article that mentioned George Regas’ antiwar sermon at All Saints Episcopal Church also described the preelection activities of other churches across the area and the nation. Chuck Smith of Costa Mesa’s Calvary Chapel, for example, is quoted as saying to his congregation: “They have told us that it is unlawful for us to pray in church for President Bush to be reelected.... Maybe we can pray that [challenger Sen. John] Kerry is not elected.” Meanwhile, Catholic churches distributed voter guides that stopped short (as Regas did) of endorsing either presidential candidate but “clearly delivered an anti-Kerry message” and stated “nonnegotiable” positions on key issues, such as stem cell research and same-sex marriage.

Whether or not IRS agents show up on their doorsteps too -- and I have a sneaking suspicion that they won’t -- I certainly hope that these churches will be the first ones to throw their support behind All Saints. To paraphrase a 16th century Protestant martyr: There but for the grace of a right-wing theocracy go they.

ELIZA RUBENSTEIN

Costa Mesa

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This quote caught my attention, “ ‘It’s a very tough call we have to make,’ said Bob Long, All Saints’ senior layman and a retired attorney. ‘But we’re at the point where they really are trampling on our constitutional rights.’ ”

As far as I’ve been able to determine, there is no constitutional right to a tax-exempt status.

JOHNNY SAVANT

Camarillo