Religious groups organize to lobby

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ANNAPOLIS -- When members of Arbutus United Methodist Church want the governor to know they oppose gambling or support health care reform, they can simply buttonhole Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. after Sunday services.

Still, Maryland religious groups -- many of whom oppose the governor's plan to supplement education funds with slot machine revenue -- seldom leave such issues to casual encounters, instead using a well-organized system that works the General Assembly as do other advocacy groups.

"I am hardly ever [approached]," Mr. Ehrlich, a Republican, said of his post-worship encounters. "It would be OK, but mainly people just thank you for coming."

Religious organizations represent hundreds of thousands of members (and potential voters) whose collective voice can resonate loudly and clearly in the State House.

"We ask people within the local churches if they will send an e-mail in or write a letter to their legislator," said Don Schroeder, bishop's deputy for public policy for the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, "but we do not approach them when they come into church."

Dick Dowling, a registered lobbyist for the Maryland Catholic Conference, said the group influences legislation through his network of associates who make phone calls, send e-mails, publish a voters' guide and sponsor meetings to get lawmakers' attention.

The Maryland Catholic Conference, which represents 295 churches in and around Baltimore, the District and Wilmington, Del., opposes slot machines, abortion, capital punishment, human cloning and same-sex "marriage." It supports using more state funds for public education and health care.

The Rev. Gregory B. Perkins, outgoing president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, said his group uses an assortment of lobbying techniques.

"One pastor might deal with these issues; I am sure that is one way," he said, "But, as a body, we simply call them together and meet with them."