Religious lobbyists spend big bucks
Michael McGuire ("The Examiner," July 18, 2012)
About 45 religious lobbyists spend $1 million-$5 million per year to state
their positions to lawmakers, according to a Pew Research Center study
released Wednesday.
The groups represent almost all theological positions, ranging from the
theologically conservative Southern Baptist Convention to the atheist American
Humanist Association.
The Southern Baptists spend $3,268,327 annually to bring about its vision
of "an American society that affirms and practices Judeo-Christian values
rooted in biblical authority."
The American Humanist Association spent $2,077,930 "to be a clear,
democratic voice for humanism in the United States, to increase public
awareness
and acceptance of humanism, to establish, protect, and promote the position
of humanists in our society, and to develop and advance humanist thought and
action.”
The American Islamic Congress budgeted $1,357,198 to challenge
"increasingly negative perceptions of Muslims by advocating responsible
leadership and
‘two-way’ interfaith understanding. As Muslim-Americans, thriving amidst
America's open multicultural society and civil liberties, we promote these
same values for the global Muslim community. We are not afraid to advocate
unequivocally for women's equality, free expression, and nonviolence -
making no apologies for terrorism, which primarily claims Muslim lives.”
The Republican Jewish Coalition spent $2,858,109 "to foster and enhance
ties between the American Jewish community and Republican decision makers. We
work to sensitize Republican leadership in government and the party to the
concerns and issues of the Jewish community, while articulating and
advocating Republican ideas and policies within the Jewish community. We are
committed to building a strong, effective and respected Jewish Republican
voice
in Washington and across the country.”
Pew recognized eight religiously oriented organizations that spend at least
$10 million annually on lobbying. They are:
American Israel Public Affairs Committee
American Jewish Committee, Office of Government and International Affairs
Bread for the World
CitizenLink (A Focus on the Family Affiliate)
Concerned Women for America
Family Research Council
Home School Legal Defense Association
National Right to Life Committee
The biggest spender on the right is the Family Research Council, which
reportedly spent $14,259,622 to champion "marriage and family as the foundation
of civilization, the seedbed of virtue, and the wellspring of society. FRC
shapes public debate and formulates public policy that values human life
and upholds the institutions of marriage and the family. Believing that God
is the author of life, liberty, and the family, FRC promotes the
Judeo-Christian worldview as the basis for a just, free, and stable society.”
The biggest lobbyist of all among all religious groups is the American
Israel Public Affairs Committee, which reportedly spent $87,899,089 "to
strengthen the ties between the United States and its ally Israel. As
America’s
leading pro-Israel lobby, AIPAC works with Democrats, Republicans and
Independents to enact public policy that enhances the U.S.-Israel
relationship."
--
Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community
<[email protected]>
Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism
Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org
