Amid the incredibly inconsistent and significantly flawed issues with Obamacare, there is one matter that promises to remain: the battle against churches and faith-based nonprofits courtesy of the Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate.
The HHS mandate caught national media attention in high-profile reports over concerns that Catholic bishops and clergy would be forced to pay for birth control and abortion-inducing drugs. And in the private business sector, Christian CEOs of mammoth companies Chick-fil-A and Hobby Lobby came under assault because of their religious and ethical stance for both freedom of religion and speech.
Until recently, this issue had been under the mainstream media radar following the above-mentioned cases, yet there are 91 religious cases forthcoming that are sure to catapult the fight for religious freedom back into the public domain – if we can win in the Hobby Lobby case recently heard by the Supreme Court.
I recently had the distinct pleasure to interview Dan Busby, president of Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). To his accomplishments, Busby boasts 40 years experience in the nonprofit community and five published book titles containing 48 volumes. In the years, 2010–2013, Nonprofit Times named him "one of the 50 Most Powerful Nonprofit Leaders."
For decades ECFA has set the standard for governance, financial management and fundraising/stewardship policies for churches and other nonprofits, also acting as an advocate on their behalf. More than 1,700 organizations are accredited by ECFA, with combined annual revenues of more than $20 billion.
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ECFA provides accreditation to 20 of the largest churches in America as well as other nonprofits (501c3s). Moreover, ECFA sets the standard not only in financial management but also in morals and ethics. These organizations are deeply concerned about the HHS mandate. Although an insurer cannot charge a religious organization for the "morning after" or "week after" pill, it still leaves the religious organizations with the issue of providing coverage that forthrightly goes against their beliefs.
According to Busby, the environment for churches and faith-based nonprofits becomes more complicated each year. A variety of critical topics for these organizations include disputes regarding the charitable-giving deduction, challenges to clergy from atheist groups, the HHS health reform mandate that requires employers to cover contraceptives and giving trends.
Of some significance is that the state-of-giving report was up 6.4 percent despite a recession over the previous years. Giving to the largest members was up 7.4 percent. Adoption and orphan groups are also seeing donations going up. Christians have kept children in mind with their giving. The giving amount to $22 billion in annual revenue, representing a wide swath of the Christ-centered world.
Busby states, "We are running a narrow gauntlet in America regarding taxes, with atheists trying to force churches to follow form 990. The 501c4 is now parlaying into 501c3, affecting nonprofits. Then presidential debates couldn't be held on these issues. Religious leaders cannot speak out on social issues. Speech would be chilled with respect to pastors and religious issues nearer election time. We need to speak out today and tomorrow. Pastors should be able to say whatever they want from their pulpit, even if they mention the name of the candidate. We don't take a position that they should, but we believe they have a right to promote a candidate. The IRS has no business taking away their status. We've taken a strong position that requires changes. We must speak out on social issues as we come closer to the return of Jesus Christ. It is our responsibility."
"It's a matter of religious freedom, and if we don't stand up to challenges to our freedom, there will be another round of challenges coming. We need to consistently position ourselves. Regardless of the Hobby Lobby decision, we are ready to stand up for the next round of lawsuits for nonprofits."
Busby ardently feels that such persecution from government against Christian organizations is an attack against Christianity as well as symptomatic of a breakdown of society. He's not witnessed such harassment in over 50 years working in nonprofit religious sector. He states, "To challenge the Catholic Church like Obama has would have been unthinkable 10 years ago. Nothing can be done to stop it. Nothing short of the courts or change in the administration will stop it. Obama is driving this outside the Congress, even if they were the same party. The ballot box and courts are the only way to stop this.
"Every election is important; we've heard that. I say 2016 is the most important election ever. Elections are becoming increasingly important to issues for Christians. Christians need to go out and vote."
At the close of our conversation, Dan Busby reaffirms the vital importance of the Christian vote at the ballot box: "The Democrats know how to close ranks."
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