Reflections

This year give the gift of religious liberty

By J. Brent Walker

November-December 2007

As we approach the Advent season, surely once again we’ll hear cries of a “War on Christmas.” Of course, these invectives are bogus. No one is deprived of the right to enjoy the Christmas season or wish others “Merry Christmas.” On the other hand, many folks, out of common courtesy and good manners, will wish someone whose religious affiliation is unknown, “Happy Holidays” instead.

No, if there is a war on Christmas, it comes through excessive, rampant and pervasive commercialism, cranking up nowadays right after Halloween. We all spend far too much time, energy and money on things. And then we worry a lot about whether the stuff we buy is suitable and will be appreciated by the recipient. In fact, most of the presents we give and receive are things we do not need and in some cases do not really want.

This year, why not give the gift of religious liberty!

Why not give a gift to the Baptist Joint Committee in honor or memory of a loved one or friend? For every such gift received, we will gladly send a beautiful Christmas card informing the honoree or surviving spouse of your gift. (They will need to know why there is not a present under the tree from you.) They will also be provided a subscription to Report from the Capital, if they don’t already receive that publication.

This works the other way around, too. Why not ask friends and loved ones, instead of giving you a gift of another tie, sweater or perfume, to make a donation to the Baptist Joint Committee instead. Our good friends and supporters, Buddy and Kay Shurden, did this last year. They asked their children to calculate what they planned to spend on gifts for the Shurdens and to give that amount to the Baptist Joint Committee instead. They gladly did so. By the way, I’m not going to ask you to do something that I’m not willing to do. So, I’ll make the same request of my children this year.

For those of you who have already enjoyed more than 70 Christmases, there’s a special bonus. You are able to help ensure religious liberty for your children and grandchildren by giving a gift from your retirement fund of up to $100,000, tax free.

Under federal law, slated to expire at the end of the year, qualified donors who are older than 70 ½ can give up to $100,000 from their retirement fund without having to ante up to Uncle Sam one penny.

Two years ago, under a similar law passed by Congress in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Dick Ice — a longtime board member representing the American Baptist Churches, USA — gave $100,000 to the BJC. Why not do the same this year? You can split your $100,000 into thirds — for the capital campaign, for endowment and for current budget needs — if you wish!

(A quick word of caution: it is always prudent to consult with your accountant, tax adviser or other financial professional to ensure the gift qualifies for this favorable tax treatment and is made in a way that maximizes the benefit to you. While most states with income taxes follow the federal provisions, you should check to make sure that your state law allows this special provision to avoid surprises.)

I hope that you will take advantage of these ways to rail against the commercialism of Christmas, help ensure religious liberty for the next generation, and honor the birth of the one in whom we find true freedom.