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SOULFORCE MEDIA ALERT: December 1, 2005
For Immediate Release
Contact: Robyn Murphy, 612-965-0838, robyn@soulforce.org
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(Lynchburg, VA) Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint November 28th, with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) against James Dobson’s Focus on the Family.
Joining CREW in bringing this matter to the country’s attention is Soulforce, Inc. who is circulating a web petition calling for an IRS investigation of James Dobson and Focus on the Family.
"Misusing religion and/or God to support bias against sexual and gender minorities, inappropriately justifies psychological, legal, and physical violence against them. Such abuses must be stopped and can no longer be subsidized via misuse of the tax laws," says Rev. Dr. Mel White, Founder of Soulforce.
Focus on the Family is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization whose stated purpose is "to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through a practical outreach to homes." In past years, Dr. Dobson has become increasingly shrill about his political beliefs (especially against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people) on his daily radio program and through his fundraising letters.
Although non-profit status bars him from electioneering, Dr. Dobson continues to use his considerable political muscle to support anti-gay initiatives and to endorse candidates for political office. In early April, 2004, Dr. Dobson endorsed Republican Representative Patrick J. Toomey in his race for Senate in Pennsylvania. In addition, it was reported that Dr. Dobson actively campaigned during a rally for Rep. Toomey. CREW claims some of these violations occurred before James Dobson started "Focus on the Family Action", a 501(c)(4) affiliate.
Other candidates that Dr. Dobson reportedly endorsed in 2004 include North Carolina Republican candidate Pat Ballentine for Governor and Oklahoma Republican candidate Tom Coburn for Senate.
Focus on the Family recently announced that it would end its long time banking relationship with Wells Fargo because of the bank’s "ongoing efforts to advance the radical homosexual agenda."
Earlier this year Dobson promised to dedicate his life to amending the U.S. Constitution with a Federal Marriage Amendment that would make second-class citizens of Lesbian and Gay Americans in committed relationships and deny them their basic civil rights and protections.
Soulforce’s purpose is freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance. For more information go to www.soulforce.org.