-Caveat Lector- Mormon Fund Raising Questioned By JORDAN LITE .c The Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - It's a natural fight: liberal San Francisco politicians versus the Mormon church in the debate over whether to recognize gay marriage. City supervisors this week asked the IRS to investigate whether the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is breaking federal law by drumming up support for a March 2000 ballot measure that would prevent the state from recognizing same-sex unions performed outside California. IRS rules prohibit religious organizations from engaging in ``substantial'' political activity without endangering their tax-exempt status - a requirement that recently forced the Christian Coalition to split into two. ``We need to have a fair and honest debate,'' Supervisor Mark Leno said. ``We can't do that if large sums of tax deductible dollars have involved themselves in a political campaign and completely overrun the entire ballot process.'' ``Nonsense,'' Michael Otterson, a spokesman for the Mormon church, said Wednesday. The Mormons are not the only religious group supporting the initiative, and the tax laws apply equally to all of them, Otterson said. He declined further comment. The IRS cannot comment on whether the agency agreed to investigate the Mormon church, said Larry Wright, an agency spokesman in Oakland. Many religious conservatives fear that if gay marriages are allowed in one state, others would have to recognize their validity. Twenty-nine states have banned gay marriage. By law, California only issues marriage licenses to heterosexual couples. The Mormon church mounted similar campaigns last year in Hawaii and Alaska, helping pass measures banning gays and lesbians from marrying there. This summer, the Christian Coalition created a separate political action committee to endorse candidates and collect political contributions in an effort to keep tax-exempt status for its core ``voter education'' functions. Earlier this year, the IRS revoked the tax-exempt status of a church in New York state that ran newspaper ads against President Clinton in 1992. In regards to the ballot initiative, three polls earlier this year showed more Californians would vote for the measure than against it. Gay rights advocates expect to spend $10 million in an uphill battle to urge Californians to change their minds. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
