American Atheists, Inc. P O Box 140195 Austin, Texas 78714-0195 (512) 458-1244 PRESS RELEASE For immediate release: Jan. 8, 1997 SEPARATIONISTS CALL FOR PROBE OF BUDDHIST "SOFT MONEY" TAX EXEMPTION American Atheists today called for an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service into the tax-exempt status of two Buddhist religious groups now linked to the notorious "soft money" Democratic fund raising scandal. In a letter to IRS Commissioner Margaret Milner Richardson, American Atheists President Ellen Johnson wrote that potential contributions and other political advocacy by the Buddhists violated any tax exemptions the sects claim as religious organizations. Ms. Johnson identified the Hsi Lai Temple operated by the International Buddhist Progress Society as a California non-profit implicated in the $140,000 fund raiser organized by the Democratic National Committee. The other organization is the Buddhist "Supreme Master" sect of Suma Ching Hai, who is an associate of Democratic fundraiser Charles Trie. The "Supreme Master" called upon followers to support President Clinton in the last election, and donate money to the Whitewater legal defense fund. "The so-called 'temple fund raiser' and the questionable actions of "Supreme Master" Hai involve religious movements engaging in partisan, political activism," said Ms. Johnson. "These are two more possible violations of both electioneering laws and IRS regulations which govern tax-exempt organizations." Ms. Johnson noted that American Atheists, in monitoring the electioneering activities of religious groups throughout the country, sees a disturbing trend; increasingly, churches, temples and other groups are using their special tax-exempt privileges as partisan, political vehicles by supporting candidates with votes and funds. She cited the distribution of questionable "voters guides" by the Christian Coalition, and activities by "mega-churches" like the giant Second Baptist Church of Houston whose notorious Nehemiah Project attracted media and government authorities during last year's primaries. "Religious groups continue to flout the law, and violate the public trust by abusing their tax-exempt privilege. We call for a full investigation by the Internal Revenue Service into the status of the Hsi Lai Temple of California, its parent body (International Buddhist Progress Society), and the Ching Hai cult. While we applaud the steps taken by the Democratic National Committee and others in returning these questionable funds, it is clear that these Buddhist groups solicited money for partisan political activities. Their status as tax-exempt religious organizations should be re-evaluated by the Internal Revenue Service, and appropriate action taken. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Ellen Johnson, President (201) 334-4033 email: ej@atheists.org * * * American Atheists, Inc. P O Box 140195 Austin, Texas 78714-0195 (512) 458-1244 Margaret Milner Richardson, Commissioner Jan. 8, 1997 Internal Revenue Service 1111 Constitution Ave, NW Washington, DC 20224 Dear Commissioner: As President of American Atheists, a group dedicated to the total and absolute separation of state and church, I wish to express our concern over developments involving the so-called "soft money" and improper contributions made by and through religious groups to the Democratic National Committee and president Clinton's legal defense fund. At least two Buddhist religious groups have thus far been linked to highly questionable activities during the last presidential campaign. The Hsi Lai Temple, a Los Angeles-based sect operated by the International Buddhist Progress Society currently has a religious tax exemption. A similar status is enjoyed by Buddhist religious leader "Supreme Master" Ching Hai. You are undoubtedly aware from press accounts and other sources that the Hsi Lai Temple was involved in a $140,000 fund raiser organized by Mr. John Huang to benefit the Democratic National Committee. Mr. Charles Trie, another fund raising official, is a follower of Ching Hai, and reportedly orchestrated the attempted transfer of up to $600,000 in questionable checks and other instruments to the President's legal defense fund. During the recent campaign, there was considerable controversy surrounding the partisan political actions of religious groups. The Federal Elections Commission has filed a complaint against one organization, the Christian Coalition; and your own Agency is aware of the activities of several churches which may have violated their special tax-exempt privilege by engaging in partisan political organizing--specifically the Second Baptist Church of Houston, Texas. As a private citizen and head of an organization which labors on behalf of separation of state and church, I am concerned about the threats such activities pose to our First Amendment liberties. American Atheists wishes to go on record and request your Office to examine the tax-exempt status of the Hsi Lai Temple, and similar corporate entities linked to Supreme Master Ching Hai. I welcome discussion with you on these matters, and look forward to hearing from you soon. Respectfully, ELLEN JOHNSON, PRESIDENT American Atheists, Inc.