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very troubled

I know the media is outraged over the investigation into reporters, and are also mentioning the whole IRS scandal of targeting tea-party activitists, but what bothers me on a personal level is their lack of reporting on how the sandal targeted religious groups. We have three North Carolina based religious organizations that have been severely audited and threatened by the IRS...because they paid for ads supporting Amendment One. Yes. You read that correctly. The Biblical Recorder, Samartian's Purse, and the Billy Graham Organization all three either publicly stated, purchased ads in the newspaper and on television last May when our state was hashing out the issue of gay marriage. Things got very ugly by both sides, though the media almost never reported the numerous accounts of vandalism on churches nor the death threats on pastors who dared to speak out. And now? There's been documented proof that organizations who have been true to their values since day one of forming are now being harasses for standing by those very same values.  The more I read, the more I realize how it's not just a North Carolina-based issue. Focus on the Family had a branch that endured the same scrutiny, and pro-life groups were asked about their teachings, from whether or not they boycotted Planned Parenthood to if they taught women and girls about contraceptives.

And now? A branch of the IRS will be overseeing the upcoming healthcare task force. It gravely concerns me that a branch of government who not only violates the law (its illegal to ask the questions they've asked religious groups, as well as illegal to require them to submit membership rosters, much less to distribute those rosters to other opposing organizations, which they've done) and targets faith-based groups will be the same people in charge of deciding whether or not religious organizations can be exempt from providing abortions for their employees. We are seeing our fundamental rights stripped away from us before our very eyes, and the outpouring of outrage and consternation is simply not there. Our nation is headed down a very dangerous path, and seems either unwilling or unable to stop it.

I hope if I ever post on this topic again, it will be about the positive changes happening. I fear this post topic won't be my last.

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