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Friday, June 27, 1997

Comptroller again reverses religion recognition decision

By JUAN B. ELIZONDO Jr. / Associated Press Writer

AUSTIN (AP) - Angered by what he called an improper staff decision, state Comptroller John Sharp said Thursday he will not recognize as a "religion" a group that does not have a god.

Ross Ramsey, an aide to Sharp, said the comptroller was out of town on Wednesday when staff members decided to reverse Sharp's earlier decision against recognizing the Ethical Culture Fellowship as a religious organization. Such recognition would give the group tax-exempt status.

The Austin group does not believe in the concept of a god.

Sharp in May said the fellowship advocates worthy goals such as "creating a more humane society and a better world," but could not be considered a form of religious worship.

The comptroller's staff reversed Sharp's May decision after reviewing court rulings in other states that ruled the Ethical Culture Fellowship is a religion, Ramsey said.

"The staff, including me, thought they (the rulings) were compelling and went the other way," Ramsey said. "Commissioner Sharp was surprised and angry ... and told his staff that they should have consulted him before reversing his original decision."

Sharp's decision to again reverse his agency's position came hours after Railroad Commissioner Carole Keeton Rylander, a candidate for comptroller, blasted the recognition as a "godless ruling."

Ms. Rylander is seeking the 1998 Republican nomination for comptroller. Sharp is seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.

"It is an insult to the people of faith in Texas that the comptroller would put this godless group on the same level as the Baptist, Catholic, Jewish and other religions," Ms. Rylander said.

"Making them tax-exempt not only cheats the taxpaying families of Texas, but makes a mockery of our Judeo-Christian heritage."

Ramsey said Sharp "agrees with her, and now so does his staff." He said Ms. Rylander's comments did not contribute to Sharp's ultimate decision.

A call to the Ethical Culture Fellowship from The Associated Press was not immediately returned.

The state uses a variety of criteria to recognize religions, including whether participants have religious meetings, hymns, altars and symbols. Belief in a deity is a standard, but not a requirement, Ramsey said.

The Ethical Culture movement was founded in 1876. Its founder, Felix Adler, declared that Ethical Culture "replaced the God idea by that of a universe of spiritual beings interacting in infinite harmony." Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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