Faith based initiative is on trial


Watching Wisconsin

I'm really glad to see this one. Not because I disagree with Christianity but because I don't think it is government's job to tell churches how to run their affairs.

"We will now be able to challenge the constitutionality of the creation of the White House faith-based initiatives and the conferences and activities that they support," Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the foundation, said Saturday. "Bush says this is constitutional, but it's never been tried by the courts. So we're pleased."

Bush sidestepped Congress by issuing executive orders to create the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and similar centers in 10 federal agencies during his first term. He said the goal was to help religious and community groups compete for federal funding to fight poverty, substance abuse and other social problems.

The 5,000-member Freedom From Religion Foundation filed suit against the administration in 2004 arguing the initiative violated the establishment clause in the First Amendment. The lawsuit claimed the program illegally favored faith-based groups over secular ones.

Among the activities challenged were national and regional conferences where officials from federal agencies educate religious groups about how to obtain government grants. The foundation said the conferences resemble religious revival meetings and were an unconstitutional use of tax dollars.

Federal money always comes with strings attached. The more you take, the more you become an extension of Federal policy. Just ask the public schools.

Hat tip to Wren's Nest.

— NeoWayland

Posted: Sat - January 14, 2006 at 04:52 PM  Tag


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