Sigh. That's probably technically legal, but it's about as close to the line as you can get. In a sane world, it probably would draw a friendly reminder from the IRS that such gamesmanship might not be in the best long-term interests of the organization's tax exemption.

I'm sorry, but Don Wildmon is a kook, pure and simple. Two decades ago, he actually protested the release of a record called TV Tunes that contained themse songs from tv shows from the fifties and sixties. He claimed to have heard a Satanic message in the theme song to the show Mr. Ed. I realize he has a constituency and a mailing list, but we need to remember that the LaRouche wing of the Democratic Party does, too, and I lump Wildmon in with Lyndon Larouche.

It's important not to dismiss the signifigance of the Wildmons of the world too qickly. We have to remember a lot of people with power and influence with even larger constituencies, audiences and mailing lists than Wildmon, do NOT consider Wildmon a "kook." In fact, many of these people partner with him and promote his organization's work. Take one example: Next month in Washington, DC, Wildmon joins James Dobson (Focus on the Family), Tony Perkins (Family Research Council) and Gary Bauer (American Values) in hosting "The Washington Briefing" Values Voter Summit. Speakers at the summit include Sam Brownback, Newt Gingrich, Bill Bennett, Richard Land, Jerry Falwell, Mike Pence and many many more. You can learn more about the Values Voter Summit here: http://www.frcaction.org/index.cfm?i=WX06C06

I will dismiss Wildomon, Bauer, Gingrich, Bennett, Falwell, Dobson, Brownback and anyone else as exactly what they are - fringe figures whose names and media exposure do not negate the fact that they are marginally effective, at best. Wildmon and Dobson may have big mailing lists, but so what? It is time to stop fearing their names, and calling them what they are. I am not suggesting they wield NO power; all I am suggesting is that if we treat them as risible, silly people incapable of forcing an agenda upon us - in other words if we stop reacting to them - their power lessens automatically, at least over those of us Christian liberals and progressives who are starting to set a different agenda.

What really bothers me about the AFA's attack is not just that it attacks my pastor Betsy but that it also attacks a church that I have been a member of for nearly 10 years.

I plan to research AFA some more and start blogging about them.

I responded to this by sending an email to the AFA:

I just wanted to thank you for sending the action alert about Rev. Betsy Singleton. The sermons you linked to were so wonderful. It is so refreshing to read of a pastor that so embodies Jesus's compassion and acceptance of others. So many so-called men of God act directly against his teachings. It is as if the story, told in John, of the adulteress that was brought before him to be judged did not exist. As if he did not say; "He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her" These modern day Pharisees would have been the first to throw stones and condemn those who did not.

I want to give especial thanks for mentioning that she is the wife of U.S. Representative Vic Snyder. I have to respect the judgment and taste of a man that has such a fine wife. He is a man that deserves my support.

They wrote me back and said, "thank you."