Oklahoma religious group draws scrutiny over support of state candidate

Oklahoma religious group improperly supported state legislator Sally Kern in her campaign for re-election, a watchdog group claims.

BY MICHAEL MCNUTT Comment on this article

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E-MAIL DRAWS COMPLAINT

Americans United for Separation of Church and State says an e-mail sent by the group Reclaiming Oklahoma for Christ violated federal law because it is a tax-exempt group that sent an e-mail supporting a candidate. The e-mail was about a June 24 event in Warr Acres for Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City. Its headline read, "Rally for Sally on Thursday!!"

Here is an exact quote from the e-mail:

"In case you missed it, the homosexual lobby has recruited an individual that has had a sex change operation to run against Rep. Kern. The homosexual lobby from across America will be pouring money into this local race in an attempt to make a statement to the country by knocking out an outspoken Christian, pro-family representative. If they succeed, it will serve as a warning shot across the bough of all elected officials who defend Biblical values. Even if this is not your district, this race will effect you! Once a person is elected to the legislature, their voting impacts ALL Oklahomans."

SOURCE: AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is asking the Internal Revenue Service to look into the matter.

The Rev. Paul Blair, founder of Reclaiming Oklahoma for Christ and pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Edmond, denied any wrongdoing.

"We have not and have never done anything illegal," he said.

Blair said Americans United has made similar complaints against the group "and nothing has come of it."

Reclaiming Oklahoma for Christ operates as a tax-exempt group and solicits tax-deductible donations on its website. Blair was among those who rallied behind Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, in 2008, after she told an Oklahoma City Republican group that homosexuality is "the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam."

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