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May 06, 2005
Excommunicated for being a Democrat
Nine members of East Waynesville Baptist say their minister spear headed an effort to get them excommunicated. They say the dividing issue was abortion and homosexuality. They say that the pastor, Chan Chandler, believes that if you supported John Kerry or the Democratic party, you were against the Church."He told us that we needed to... if we didn't support George Bush, that we need to resign our position and get out of the church, or, or go to the altar and repent and agree to vote for George Bush."
About forty other church members have left in protest. The minister declined an interview with News 13, but told us that the actions were not politically motivated. There are questions whether the bylaws were followed when the members were thrown out.
Catch the full discussion over at DU.
Posted by Mike at May 6, 2005 01:16 AM
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» Political Excommunication from EdCone.com
No Democrats in this church: TopDog links to a TV report from western NC: "Nine members of East Waynesville Baptist say their minister spear headed an effort to get them excommunicated...They say that the pastor, Chan Chandler, believes that if you suppor [Read More]
Tracked on May 6, 2005 07:49 AM
» Baptist Church Split...News at 11! from The Phantom City
I grew up in Baptist churches...and watched them split. We went to a string of churches on four consecutive Sundays where the pastor resigned while we were there. This is pretty typical, and has been so for a long time. The issues may have been politic... [Read More]
Tracked on May 7, 2005 12:29 AM
Comments
If that church is incorporated with tax-exempt status, this action on the part of the church will cost it its tax-exempt status if it's reported to the IRS.
If the church doesn't have a tax exemption, the excommunicated members might still have recourse under the bylaws. Although why they'd want to go back after being treated that way I don't know.
Posted by: Lex ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.topdog08.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at May 6, 2005 10:35 AM
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