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Religious Left Officials Seek Arrest in Defense of Big Government

"There may be noble reasons for religious officials getting arrested, but defending big government and advocating higher taxes don't qualify." -- Mark Tooley, IRD President

Contact: Jeff Walton, Institute on Religion and Democracy, 202-682-4131, 202-413-5639 cell, jwalton@TheIRD.org

WASHINGTON, July 28, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- As both houses of Congress consider legislation to address the debt ceiling controversy, a group of Religious Left officials were arrested today in the Capitol Rotunda in an act of civil disobedience.

Arguing against cuts to their favored federal programs, the officials called for taxpayers to pay a larger share. Those arrested included Religious Left figures Jim Winkler, general secretary of the United Methodist Church's General Board of Church and Society (GBCS), former National Council of Churches General Secretary and current President of Common Cause Bob Edgar and officials from Church World Service and the United Church of Christ.

The group says it went to the Rotunda to pray following a midday rally outside of the Capitol in support of spending plans that would raise taxes.

IRD President Mark Tooley commented:

    "There may be noble reasons for religious officials getting arrested, but defending big government and advocating higher taxes don't qualify.

    "These religious elites have formed a 'circle of protection' around the Obama Administration. Such a partisan stance they would denounce if advocated by religious conservatives.

    "Members of local congregations deserve representatives in D.C. who represent their faith, not a narrow political agenda."

The Institute on Religion & Democracy works to reaffirm the church's biblical and historical teachings, strengthen and reform its role in public life, protect religious freedom, and renew democracy at home and abroad.

www.TheIRD.org