As a leader in my religious community, I am strongly opposed to any effort to repeal or wea

183 Pages·2017·1.53 MB·English

by  Samantha Sokol

In Support Of Keeping
Houses Of Worship Nonpartisan
August 16, 2017

Dear Representative:
As a leader in my religious community, I am strongly opposed to any effort to repeal or weaken
current law that protects houses of worship from becoming centers of partisan politics.
Changing the law would threaten the integrity and independence of houses of worship. We
must not allow our sacred spaces to be transformed into spaces used to endorse or oppose
political candidates.
Faith leaders are called to speak truth to power, and we cannot do so if we are merely cogs in
partisan political machines. The prophetic role of faith communities necessitates that we retain
our independent voice. Current law respects this independence and strikes the right balance:
houses of worship that enjoy favored tax-exempt status may engage in advocacy to address
moral and political issues, but they cannot tell people who to vote for or against. Nothing in
current law, however, prohibits me from endorsing or opposing political candidates in my own
personal capacity.
Changing the law to repeal or weaken the “Johnson Amendment” – the section of the tax code
that prevents tax-exempt nonprofit organizations from endorsing or opposing candidates –
would harm houses of worship, which are not identified or divided by partisan lines. Particularly
in today’s political climate, engaging in partisan politics and issuing endorsements would be
highly divisive and have a detrimental impact on congregational unity and civil discourse.
I therefore urge you to oppose any repeal or weakening of the Johnson Amendment, thereby
protecting the independence and integrity of houses of worship and other religious
organizations in the charitable sector.

Respectfully,
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ALABAMA Todd Heifner, Co-Director
Rev. Steven Barber, Licensed Local Pastor Hope Manifest, Inc.
United Methodist Church Birmingham, AL
Florence, AL
Amy Kearney, Lay Leader, Sunday School
Mr. Robert Beckerle, Former Deacon & Trustee Teacher
Hillcrest Baptist Church First Baptist Church
Mobile, AL Huntsville, AL

Rev. Allan Burton, Co-Founder and Director Rev. Candice Klein, Pastor
Hope Manifest, Inc. Big Cove Presbyterian Church
Birmingham, AL Brownsboro, AL

Rev. Gary Burton, Pastor Mrs. Therese Laeger, Staff Parish Committee
Pintlala Baptist Church Avondale United Methodist Church
Hope Hull, AL Birmingham, AL

Rev. Paul Byrd, Chaplain Rev. Dr. Gene Lankford, Senior Pastor
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Calera First United Methodist Church
Birmingham, AL Calera, AL

Rev. Terri Byrd, Coordinator Mrs. Margaret Mangham, Deacon, Director of
Alabama Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Child Development Center
Birmingham, AL First Baptist Church, Mobile, AL
Mobile, AL
Rev. Lucas Dorion, Associate Coordinator
Alabama Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Dr. Dick Maples, Adjunct Professor of Religion
Hoover, AL Southern Baptist Convention, Dallas Baptist
University
Rev. Andy Gartman, Pastor Guntersville, AL
Hartford First United Methodist Church
Hartford, AL Rev. Dr. Norman Martin, Retired Chaplain
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Rabbi Lynne Goldsmith, Solo Rabbi Auburn, AL
Temple Emanu-el
Dothan, AL Dr. Tripp Martin, Pastor
Auburn First Baptist Church
Pastor Mart Gray, Retired Pastor Auburn, AL
Non-Denominational
Locust Fork, AL Joe McDade, Retired Minister
Baptist
Mrs. Ruth Gynther, United Methodist Women Montgomery, AL
Coordinator for Social Action
Auburn United Methodist Rabbi Jonathan Miller, Rabbi
Auburn, AL Temple Emanu-El
Birmingham, AL

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ALABAMA

Rev. Brad Mitchell, Pastor Dr. Ed Sunday-Winters, Pastor
Alpine Baptist Church First Baptist Church
Alpine, AL Phenix City, AL

Cynthia Mitchell, Lay Leader Rev. Patti Sunday-Winters, Lay Leader
Alpine Baptist Church First Baptist Church
Alpine, AL Phenix City, AL

Dr. Paul Richardson, Deacon Dr. Charlotte Ward, Deacon
Baptist Church of the Covenant Auburn First Baptist Church
Birmingham, AL Auburn, AL

Charles Rosecrans, Deacon Rev. Dr. James Williams, Retired System
First Baptist Church Director of Pastoral Care
Huntsville, AL Hospital Chaplain, Cooperative Baptist
Fellowship
Cantor Jessica Roskin, Cantor Montgomery, AL
Temple Emanu-El
Birmingham, AL Dr. Joel Williams, Minister
Churches of Christ
Mrs. Beth Ryan, Lay Leader Florence, AL
Most Merciful Jesus Parish
Madison, AL ALASKA
Valerie Baffone, Vestry Member
Nancy Sales, Lay Leader St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
First Congregational Church, UCC Anchorage, AK
Birmingham, AL
Ms. Candace Bell, President
Mr. Kirk Shaw, Deacon Alaska Christian Conference
Spring Hill Baptist Church (Southern Baptist) Anchorage, AK
Mobile, AL
Rev. David Boling, Associate Minister
Scotti Simpson, Minister to Students First Christian Church
First Baptist Church of Williams Anchorage, AK
Jacksonville, AL
Rev. Paul Boling, Senior Minister
Jenny Smith, Lay Leader First Christian Church
Baptist Church of the Covenant Anchorage, AK
Birmingham, AL
Mary Bristol, Church Council Member
Rev. E. Tramaine Solomon, Senior Pastor Lutheran
Springhill Baptist Church Anchorage, AK
Lineville, AL
Rev. Michael Burke, Rector, Senior Pastor
Rev. Laura Stephens-Reed, Minister St. Mary's Episcopal Church
Baptist Anchorage, AK
Northport, AL

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ALASKA

Bonnie Demerjian, Lay Leader
St. Philip's Episcopal Church Rev. Julia Seymour, Pastor
Wrangell, AK Lutheran Church of Hope
Anchorage, AK
Susan Dunkin, Deacon
First Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Sarah Welton, Pastor
Anchorage, AK Church of the Covenant, American Baptist
Palmer, AK
Ms. Lyn Franks, Worship Leader
St. Mary's Episcopal Bishop Shelley Wickstrom, Bishop
Anchorage, AK Alaska Synod - Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA)
Jo Anne Hayden, Lay Leader Anchorage, AK
United Methodist
Anchorage, AK Rev. Randall Young, Pastor
Christ Lutheran Church (ELCA)
Lesley Hoffman, Drama Coordinator Fairbanks, AK
Baptist
Wasilla, AK ARIZONA
Rev. Brady Abel, Senior Pastor
Mrs. Patricia Kennish, Lay Leader United Church of Sun City, AZ - United Church of
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish Christ
Anchorage, AK Sun City, AZ

Ms. Marianne Mills, Council Member Mrs. Patricia Always, Lector, Lay Leader
Northern Light United Church The Franciscan Renewal Center
Juneau, AK Sun City, AZ

Rev. Gayle Nauska, Priest Associate Rev. Boyd L. Baker, Pastor
St. Mary's Episcopal American Baptist Churches, USA
Anchorage, AK Scottsdale, AZ

Nora Ortiz Fredrick, Director Rev. Jane Baker, Deacon
Alaska Christian Conference Dayspring United Methodist Church
Anchorage, AK Tempe, AZ

Rev. Jacob Poindexter, Senior Minister Rev. Larry Baker, Reverend
First Congregational Church of Anchorage United Methodist
Anchorage, AK Arizona City, AZ

Sr. Kathy Radich, Coordinator of Ministries Janet Bauer, Lay Leader
Catholic Independent Baptist
Saint Mary's, AK Peoria, AZ

Rev. Nico Romeijn-Stout, Pastor of Discipleship Pastor Don Benton, Senior Pastor
and Social Justice Scottsdale United Methodist Church
St. John United Methodist Church Phoenix, AZ
Anchorage, AK
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ARIZONA

Rev. Sandra Britton, Chaplain Rev. Kenneth Kennon, Retired
United Church of Christ Clergy Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Pheonix, AZ Tucson, AZ

Rev. Sara Day, Leader Mrs. Gail Kenny, Lay Leader
American Baptist Churches in the USA Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Prescott Valley, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ (ELCA)
Prescott Valley, AZ
Pastor Winona (Noni) Dye, Pastor
Shepherd of the Pines United Methodist Church Rev. Kevin Lawson, Minister
Overgaard, AZ Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Flagstaff, AZ
Mrs. Deborah Finkel, Immediate Past President
of Arizona Section Rev. Tom Martinez, Senior Minister
National Council of Jewish Women Desert Palm
Phoenix, AZ Tempe, AZ

Mr. Ronald Fish, Lay Leader David McPherson, Director of New & Vital Faith
Catholic Communities
Wickenburg, AZ Desert Southwest Conference of The United
Methodist Church
Mr. David Fronske, Volunteer Jail Minister Phoenix, AZ
Roman Catholic
Flagstaff, AZ Bishop Mark Elliott Newman, OC, Presiding
Bishop
Bishop Elias Galvan, Executive Director Catholic Apostolic Church of Antioch
United Methodist Phoenix, AZ
Scottsdale, AZ
Mr. Jim Nibbelink, Lay Leader
Dr. Elizabeth Hertzler, Lay Leader United Methodist Church
Methodist Tucson, AZ
Mesa, AZ
Rev. Robert Nuhn, Retired
Dr. Mari Helen High, Lay Leader United Church of Christ
St. Marks Presbyterian Church Sun City West, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Rev. Dr. Troy Petty, Pastor, Pastoral Counselor
Rev. Dr. Amy Jacober, Academic Director & Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Pastoral Leader Goodyear, AZ
Sonoran Theological Group
Phoenix, AZ Jeannine Reynolds, Deaconess
United Methodist Church
Mrs. Denise Jurgens, Justice and Witness Sun Lakes, AZ
Committee Chair
Desert Palm United Church of Christ Gordon Schneider, Board Member
Gilbert, AZ Shadow Rock United Church of Christ
Glendale, AZ

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ARIZONA
Rabbi Dean Shapiro, Senior Rabbi
Temple Emanuel of Tempe Prof. Robert Van Arsdale, Senior Priest
Tempe, AZ Church of the Cosmic Christ
Green Valley, AZ
Prof. Stephen Shawl, Lay Leader, Vice President
Temple Emanu-El Mrs. Jo Vredenburg, Lay Leader, Justice &
Tucson, AZ Witness Committee Member
Desert Palm United Church of Christ
Philip Shea, Justice Team Leader Tempe, AZ
Scottsdale Congregational United Church of
Christ Rev. Kathalin Walker, Deacon
Scottsdale, AZ St. David's Episcopal Church
Page, AZ
Annette Smith, Lector and Eucharistic Minister
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Mr. Robert Wall, Lay Leader
Peoria, AZ Roman Catholic
Glendale, AZ
Rev. Bart Smith, Pastor
St. Mark's Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Stephen Wayles, Pastor Emeritus,
Tucson, AZ Retired
First Congregational United Church of Christ
Rev. Dr. Michael D. Smith, Retired Clergy Phoenix, AZ
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Tucson, AZ Mrs. Frances Weidner, Cojourner
Rochester Sisters of St. Francis
Rev. Evelene Sombrero Navarrete, Senior Pastor Scottsdale, AZ
Trinity United Methodist Church
Yuma, AZ David Weigel, Board President
Sky Island Unitarian Universalist Church
Sister Mary Ann Spanjers, Teacher Sierra Vista, AZ
Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity
Tucson, AZ Elodie Winger, Lay Leader
United Church of Christ
Joyce Steiner, Staff Chaplain (Methodist) Tucson, AZ
Dignity Health
Gilbert, AZ Mr. John Zemblidge, Pastoral Minister to the
Sick
Ms. Tamara Swerline, Lay Leader Franciscan Renewal Center
St. Paul's United Methodist Church Phoenix, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Ms. Ruth Zemek, Lay Minister
Elder Sylvia Thorson-Smith, Ruling Elder Franciscan Renewal Center
Presbyterian Church (USA) Scottsdale, AZ
Tucson, AZ

Dr. Deborah Turner, Lay Leader
Temple Kol Ami
Scottsdale, AZ
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ARKANSAS

ARKANSAS Janice Goldman, Certified Lay Servant
Mr. Jim Argue, Jr., President & CEO Magnet Cove United Methodist Church
United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas Malvern, AR
Little Rock, AR
Linda Harris, Lead Official for Southwest District
Mr. Charles Baker, Lay Leader Section One Region Local Churches Youths,
Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church Young Adults and Women's Auxiliaries
Little Rock, AR National Baptist
Arkadelphia, AR
Dr. Hal Bass, Professor Emeritus, Political
Science Jay Heflin, Lay Leader
Ouachita Baptist University Second Baptist Downtown Little Rock
Arkadelphia, AR Little Rock, AR

Mitzi Bass, Lay Leader, Deacon Mr. Brad Heifner, Lay Leader
First Baptist Church Baptist
Arkadelphia, AR Little Rock, AR

Ms. Sharon Berman, Lay Leader, Temple Board Dr. Ray Higgins, Executive Coordinator
Member Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Arkansas
Union for Reform Judaism Little Rock, AR
Fayetteville, AR
Dr. Randy Hyde, Senior Pastor
Cathy Blackwood, Vice President Pulaski Heights Baptist Church
Arkansas Conference United Methodist Women Little Rock, AR
Rogers, AR
Mr. Charles Jones, Deacon
Rabbi Barry Block, Rabbi Cooperative Baptist
Congregation B'nai Israel Fayetteville, AR
Little Rock, AR
Rev. R. Shane McNary, Field Personnel
Wendy Brandon, Deacon Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Pulaski Heights Baptist Church Benton, AR
Little Rock, AR
Rev. Richard Parker, Minister
Dr. Preston Clegg, Pastor Mountainburg Presbyterian Church
Second Baptist Church Mountainburg, AR
Little Rock, AR
Rev. Megan Pike, Executive Director
Rev. Stephen Copley, Chair Second Baptist Church Downtown Little Rock
Faith Voices Arkansas Little Rock, AR
Little Rock, AR
Christopher Redmon, Lay Leader
Stephanie Ellis, Fellow Second Baptist Church Little Rock
Baptist Joint Commitee Little Rock, AR
Russellville, AR

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ARKANSAS

Kathi Anderson, Board Member
Mr. Steven Rittenmeyer, Lay Leader California Lutheran Office of Public Policy
Unitarian Universalist Village Church San Diego, CA
Hot Springs Village, AR
Rev. Dr. Phyllis Anderson, President Emeritus
Mrs. Kathryn Sharp, Lay Leader Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary,
American Baptist Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Bella Vista, AR Berkeley, CA

Ron West, Retired Missionary Ms. JL Angell, Lay Leader
Southern Baptist Presbyterian
Little Rock, AR Rescue, CA

Dr. James Young, Lay Leader Rabbi Melanie Aron, Senior Rabbi
Baptist Congregation Shir Hadash
Fayetteville, AR Los Gatos, CA

CALIFORNIA Ms. Amy Asin, Vice President
Rabbi Ruth Adar, Rabbi/Teacher Union for Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism Palo Alto, CA
San Leandro, CA
Rev. Diana Augspurger, Retired
Rev. Dr. Amy Aitken, Pastor United Church of Christ
Riviera United Methodist Church Fallbrook, CA
Redondo Beach, CA
Rev. Dr. William Aulenbach, Retired Clergy
Sam Allen, Board Member Irvine United Congregational Church
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Stockton Irvine, CA
Stockton, CA
Rabbi Susan Averbach, Colleague
Stephen N. Allred, Ordained Minister Society for Humanistic Judaism
Seventh-day Adventist San Francisco, CA
Auburn, CA
Ms. Carol Barber, Practitioner
Rev. Dr. Eileen Altman, Associate Pastor Centers for Spiritual Living
First Congregational Church of Palo Alto, UCC Whittier, CA
Palo Alto, CA
Fr. Stephen Bartlett-Ré, Hospital Chaplain
Sr. Gloriamarie Amalfitano, Episcopal Solitary TOCCUSA
The Episcopal Church San Francisco, CA
San Diego, CA
Ms. Diana Bauer, Administrative Council Co-
Mr. Jon Anderholm, Lay Leader Chair
Lutheran Concord United Methodist Church
Cazadero, CA Clayton, CA

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CALIFORNIA

Rev. Tom Baughman-Collinge, Chaplain Rabbi Mark Borovitz, Senior Rabbi
Lutheran Beit T'Shuvah
Irvine, CA Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Levanah Bdolak, CEO Archbishop Rev. Richard Boyle, Pastor
Clearsight Church of the Divine Within Universal Life Church
(Metaphysical) San Francisco, CA
Malibu, CA
Jennifer Brainerd, Lay Leader, Board Member
Ms. Patty A. Bender, Lay Leader Redlands United Church of Christ
United Church of Christ of La Mesa Redlands, CA
La Mesa, CA
Heidi Brandow, Deacon
Rabbi Allen Bennett, Retired Non-Denominational
Reform Judaism Pleasant Hill, CA
San Francisco, CA
Rev. Heather Branton, Pastor
Lynn Berard, Moderator Community Church of Atascadero United
United Church of Christ Petaluma Church of Christ
Petalums, CA Atascadero, CA

Rev. Linda Bergeon, Interim Pastor Dr. Ronald Brix, Former Elder, Religious Liberty
Transition Ministries Leader
San Francisco, CA Seventh-day Adventist Church, Oakhurst, CA
North Fork, CA
Rabbi Michael Berk, Senior Rabbi
Beth Israel Rev. Warren Broadbent, Retired Senior Minster
San Diego, CA United Church of Christ
Aptos, CA
Rev. Paul Bernadicou, Senior Priest
Catholic Alan Brownstein, Former Co-President & Board
Los Gatos, CA Member
Congregation Bet Haverim
Trustee Odette Blachman, Board Trustee Davis, CA
Congregation Beth El, Berkeley CA
Kensington, CA Rev. Carol Brubaker-Walton, Retired Pastor
United Church of Christ
Rabbi Marc Blumenthal, Rabbi Morro Bay, CA
Reform Judaism
Long Beach, CA Kathleen Bryant, Regional Vicar
Religious Sisters of Charity
Sr. Laetitia Bordes, Justice and Peace Culver City, CA
Coordinator
Society of Helpers Rabbi Shawna Brynjegard-Bialik, Rabbi
San Bruno, CA Temple Ahavat Shalom
Northridge, CA

9
CALIFORNIA
Hazzan Paul Buch, Cantor Rev. Father Raymond Clark, Retired Priest
Temple Beth Israel Anglican
Pomona, CA Cathedral City, CA

Mrs. Faith Burgess, Lay Leader Ms. Susan Clark, Franciscan Secular Order, St.
San Carlos Community United Church of Christ, Michaels Fraternity
Pacific-Islander, Asian American Ministries, Old Mission San Miguel, Catholic
Golden Gate Association, Northern California San Miguel, CA
Nevada Conference UCC
Sam Carlos, CA Rabbi Aryeh Cohen, Professor
American Jewish University
Mr. Jens Burkhart, Teacher Los Angeles, CA
Santee Christian Church
Santee, CA Rabbi Eli Cohen, Rabbi
Chadeish Yameinu
Dr. Heather Callow, Elder, Lay Leader Santa Cruz, CA
St. Peters By the Sea Presbyterian Church
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Rabbi Heidi Cohen, Rabbi
Temple Beth Sholom
Mr. Thomas Callow, Deacon Santa Ana, CA
St. Peter's by the Sea Presbyterian Church
Torrance, CA Rabbi Hillel Cohn, Rabbi Emeritus
Congregation Emanu El
Robin Campbell, Past Moderator Redlands, CA
Pasadena First Baptist Church - American
Baptist Churches in the U.S.A. Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels, Rabbi
Pasadena, CA Beth Shir Shalom
Santa Monica, CA
Sister Judy Carle,
Sisters of Mercy Rabbi Susan Conforti, Principal
Burlingame, CA Auburn Pastoral Counseling
Auburn, CA
Cathy Chambers, Lay Leader
United Church of Christ Rev. James Conn, Minister
Long Beach, CA United Methodist Church
Santa Monica, CA
Rev. Louis A. Chase, Retired
United Methodist Father William Connor, Pastor Emeritus
Los Angeles, CA Roman Catholic Priest
Long Beach, CA
Rabbi Kenneth Chasen, Senior Rabbi
Leo Baeck Temple Rabbi Mychal Copeland, Director,
Los Angeles, CA InterfaithFamily
Jewish Reconstructionist
Rev. Kathryn Choy-Wong, Senior Pastor Mountain View, CA
New Life Christian Fellowship, Castro Valley, CA
San Francisco, CA

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