Churches spend big on gay marriage ban

Since the passage of Prop 8 in California along with similar bans against gay marriage passed in other states, one has to wonder about the priorities of the churches that helped fund these homophobic initiatives. The Mormon and Catholic Churches in our country enjoy tax-exempt status along with other evangelically faith based organizations.

The leaders of these groups apparently see nothing wrong with squandering millions in order to effect certain political and legal outcomes. They see nothing wrong in using their vast tax savings to further a religious agenda - rather than to feed, clothe, house or educate the increasing population of women and children who live in poverty, for example. Could they (of all people) not thought of a compassionate cause to financially support? As time passes it will be interesting to see the extent to which these groups contributed monetarily to the passage of these ballot initiatives.

In the case of the Mormon church, it is more than a little ironic that a group that once promoted polygamy should now be so sure that marriage should be limited to one man and one woman.

If these organizations wish to continue these types of contributions in direct opposition to the separation of church and state, then they should be taxed like any other business. As it is, they've proven that they have no more ability to responsibly manage money than the lenders and speculators that have looted the American economy for their own greedy purposes.

Lisa Rehling

Streamwood