All Saints Vs. The IRS; The State Of African American Leadership; Pope Benedict's Remarks And Apology; How The Book Of Revelation Changed The Course Of Western Civilization
All Saints Vs. The IRS
On Friday, the IRS ordered All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena to turn over all documents and e-mails with references to political candidates it produced during the 2004 election year. All Saints Rev. Ed Bacon has been was ordered to testify before IRS officials on Oct. 11. The church has until Sept. 29 to produce the requested documents. The IRS probe was triggered by an antiwar sermon delivered by the church's former rector, the Rev. George F. Regas, two days before the 2004 presidential election. Regas headed the church for 28 years before retiring in 1995. The tax code prohibits churches and other tax-exempt institutions from endorsing or opposing political candidates. In July, the IRS warned 15,000 tax-exempt groups across the nation, including churches and nonprofit groups such as the NAACP, to stay neutral on politics. Rev. Ed Bacon and the All Saints attorney join Larry Mantle to talk about the controversy.
The State Of African American Leadership
Juan Williams, senior correspondent for NPR and political analyst for FOX News joins Larry Mantle to critique African American leadership in the US and examine the prevalence of poverty in the African American community. Williams argues that there is a "culture of failure" that continues to fuel poverty in black America and that many of the high profile black leaders are partially to blame for the hopelessness that pervades many communities of color.
Pope Benedict's Remarks And Apology
Though Pope Benedict says he's "deeply sorry" that his speech last week offended Muslims, protests are continuing across the Islamic world. The Pope stressed that the words he quoted from a 14th century emperor do not reflect his own opinion. Meanwhile attacks on churches in the West Bank and Gaza over the weekend were blamed on Muslim outrage at the Pope's speech. The Vatican has also expressed concern that an Italian missionary nun's slaying in Somalia Sunday could have been inspired by the anger. And today, an Internet warning from Al-Qaida in Iraq and its allies declared holy war against the West until Islam rules the world. Larry and his guests discuss the ramifications of the Pope's remarks and apology.
How The Book Of Revelation Changed The Course Of Western Civilization
Author, attorney Jonathan Kirsch joins Larry Mantle to talk about the role of the Book of Revelation in today's foreign policy and how the controversial New Testament book on the impending end times, finds its way into decisions about modern day warfare. Jonathan Kirsch's new book is called A History of the End of the World: How the Most Controversial Book in the Bible Changed the Course of Western Civilization.