The LA Times writes in a 2/9/09 editorial titled: The new faith-based initiative
Quote: The president directs what will now be called the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships "to ensure that services paid for with federal government funds are provided in a manner consistent with fundamental constitutional commitments guaranteeing the equal protection of the laws and the free exercise of religion and prohibiting laws respecting an establishment of religion."
"But government underwriting of such activities violates the 1st Amendment's prohibition of an "establishment" of religion."
"Obama's initiative establishes an advisory council, which will refer legal questions about "programs and practices" to the attorney general."
Daily News Rush response: No it does not - because it does not discriminate on which religion or religions can take advantage of the faith based initiative. If the government is establishing religion -then they would have to choose just one.
If you're a faith based program, one would presume that you can be trusted to have a little faith. If the government refuses to help people of faith, then it is discriminating against religious people.
Remember, the constitution says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". By refusing to help people of faith, it is creating a law against the free exercise of one's religion.
If monies do go to secular groups and/or atheists, but not to religious people, then it is truly discriminatory.
That said, Obama's faith-based clarifications might keep the ACLU and other lawyers very busy; which either fulfills an under-the-table campaign promise, or signifies real change - change that protects people of faith! Imagine that!
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Posted by: Raymonty | 03/07/2009 at 05:17 PM