The message on the telephone answering machine was typical of any election season. It was from a woman calling about Proposition 8, the controversial ballot measure seeking to overturn same-sex marriages in California.
This seemingly typical call, however, was unique because the caller was a church volunteer with Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church in La Jolla. Recently the church held a phone campaign targeting it's 1,200 family member parish.
The campaign raises questions as churches actively lobby on behalf of Proposition 8. Could the lobbying be a violation of separation of church and state? Should political activity involving the church impact it's tax exempt status?
"I am troubled by the fact that churches that preach God's love are now in the business of trying to change our state constitution to eliminate fundamental right so citizens of California," said Rev. Kathleen Owens of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego.
Her church has performed at least 25 same sex marriages since June 17, when the state legalized same sex unions.
But while Rev. Owens is outspoken against church activity promoting Proposition 8, her church is actively campaigning against Proposition 8. Do the same questions of church and state separation apply in her case too?
"It's a complex issue," said Professor Julie Greenberg of the Jefferson School of Law.
Greenberg said churches can 'educate', so long as they are not 'advocating' a political issue. However, there's a fine line when it comes to endorsing ballot issues like Proposition 8.
"You are allowed to lobby as long as the amount of lobbying you do is not a substantial portion of the church's activity," said Greenberg. She said that usually means staying within five percent of the church's resources.
