Federal Funds for Religious Charities

President Bush has proposed that the federal government provide funds to religious organizations who provide assitance to the poor and the homeless. On the surface it is a laudable idea. Having neighborhood based organizations who know the needs of the indigent would target the programs most needed.

Then comes the question of using federal funds for religious activities. If all the organizations did was provide soup kitchens and a place to sleep at night, that would probably acceptable, but if there programs get into religious teachings for the captive audience, that would be an entirely diffrent story. At that point, federal funds would be helping to promote particular religions.

I can only see this program being acceptable if a strict separation is made and maintained between strictly social services and religious ministries. Unless this separation can be enforced, what w ahve is a well intentioned concept that has to be put aside.

1/31/01
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