History of activism of Pasadena church under IRS investigation

LAT: Long Tradition of Activism
Pasadena's All Saints, now an IRS target, has spoken out on contentious issues since World War II. The stances have drawn some in and driven some out.
By Patricia Ward Biederman, Times Staff Writer


All Saints Episcopal Church seems to embody staid, moneyed old Pasadena. Facing City Hall, the 80-year-old Gothic Revival church has glowing stained-glass windows by Tiffany and the local Judson Studios.

But though the medieval-looking church exudes serenity and other-worldliness, the 3,500-member congregation has been speaking out on controversial issues since an All Saints rector protested the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. That tradition continues, with the recent disclosure that the IRS is threatening the church's tax-exempt status because of an antiwar sermon there last year....

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The shift toward social action appears to have begun during the Great Depression. Until the 1930s, only men were allowed to serve as ushers at All Saints, and they did so in white gloves, according to senior warden Robert Long, who heads All Saints' governing vestry. The church also catered to privilege by allowing wealthy families to rent the choicest pews.

But, in 1942, then-Rector Frank Scott, who had already abolished pew rentals, stood in protest in front of trains spiriting local Japanese Americans off to wartime internment camps....

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Staff member Anne Breck Peterson remembers the excitement in the stately church during the Vietnam era when antiwar songs jumped from the radio to Sunday's Rock Mass. Regas' stand against the Vietnam War drove some congregants away, she said: "George almost lost his job." But it also drew newcomers to the parish....

(NOTE: Regas is the former Rector whose 2004 sermon is the subject of the IRS investigation.)


http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-allsaints13nov13,0,7685065.story?coll=la-home-local

Loving your enemies

Turning the other cheek

Caring for the least among us

Giving all that you have to the poor

Avoiding ostentatious displays of "piety"...



Come to think of it, what teachings of Jesus do Republicans follow?

a church that speaks out against war and the way poor are treated by this country stepped over the line. Yet the fundie church down south that told members how to vote and kicked members out for not voting for GW didn't step out of line. Nor did baptist church's nation wide cross any lines by telling members who to vote for in 2004 from the pulpit. Funny how america works when you go against the status quo, its ok to preach for GW and his cronies but its crossing lines to speak out against them.

Many huge churches in many states put out pamphlets and posted on marquees and signs of all kinds against gay "anything" on ballots! Thankfully there were a few that put up "welcome all" signs but they too may come under IRS scrutiny!