The Arizona Ecumenical Council will meet in Phoenix tomorrow – Tuesday, Aug. 19 – to talk about why they think voters should defeat Proposition 200, a state initiative on Payday Lending that will appear on this November’s ballot.

THe meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Interchurch Center, Conference Room A, 4423 N. 24th St. in Phoenix. Religious and lay leaders are welcome but reservations are required. The council’s phone number is 602-468-3818.

Proposition 200, titled the “Payday Loan Reform Act” sounds pretty good since it has the word reform in it, but the Arizona Ecumenical Council and other opponents say it’s deceptive.

The measure would allow Payday Loan companies to exist after their sunset period is over in 2010, charging 400 percent-plus interest rates. A ‘no’ vote on the proposition would bring lenders back under the 36 percent cap that other lenders must follow.

“Arizonans are known for their strong moral convictions,” the ecumenical council says. “We are called upon to follow Jesus’ example in protecting and looking after the good folks who are struggling to survive and build stable lives for themselves.”

The council notes that Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple. The council compares Payday lenders to money changers.

“These ‘money changers’ are banking on people not knowing the difference between a fair loan and a rip-off,” the council says. “And now they’re trying to make the rip-off permanent.”

Also of interest is that the national payday loan industry is heavily backing the Arizona ballot proposition, putting millions of dollars into trying to get it passed.

For the money changers’ side of the story, here is a website.

It’s kind of hard to say anything good about an industry that follows a philosophy of greed and feeding on the most vulnerable people in the community — those who receive regular paychecks but still can’t make ends meet.

In many cases, Payday Loan victims are also ashamed to ask for help from friends and family.

Here’s a website for more information.