Gilgoff: IRS expected to release its tally of 2006 complaints against 501(c)(3) organizations "in the next month or so"

I don't have time at the moment to address the issues raised in this op-ed written by Dan Gilgoff, a senior editor at U.S. News & World Report, but I do want to flag one line from it: "It may come as a surprise . . . that when the IRS releases its tally of complaints against church politicking in the '06 election — anticipated in the next month or so — the number is expected to be even higher than it was in 2004. "  I'll be watching for more information about the release of this document. 

By the way, the op-ed notes that Gilgoff has a new book coming out.  Its title is The Jesus Machine: How James Dobson, Focus on the Family, and Evangelical America are Winning the Culture War.  It will be published in March.

Comments

[Streak]

I will be interested in this book, but am wondering if they are "winning" the culture war. So many of the Christians I talk to--even conservative ones--rarely agree with Dobson's political stance, and one of my best friends only seems to know of Dobson's role as psychologist.

[Melissa Rogers]

Interesting. Where do your friends, especially the conservative ones, part ways with Dobson on politics? Do they continue to listen to his family advice?

[Streak]

Let me put it this way. When I restate Dobson's political take on things, he seems shocked. He really only knows him from the stuff for kids and the reputation as a family psychologist. But he didn't know who Rod Parsely was and had never heard of Ted Haggard.

But back to the main point, this has been my argument for sometime, that the leaders of many of these religious movements are only partially connected to their constituents. They can wave the fear of gays and abortion only so far. When you ask the average citizen about a more dominionist approach, or "theocracy-light," they don't like it.

Perhaps I am just wishing, but I think most Americans--including most Christians--are more moderate than recent years suggest.

[Melissa Rogers]

I tend to agree. I wonder if more moderate religious people with sensible views on child-rearing and policy issues will be able to find spots on the airwaves.