I know I may be in the minority here but heres my 2cents perspective:
While I do agree that witnessing/evangelising for a religion should not be funded by the government-- This is NOT what extending funding to social work done by people who happen to be religious does. This actually equalizes the playing field for government grants for social betterment work.
There are strict guide-lines, from what I've read, of what can qualify for federal assistance. Any religious organization does not qualify by purely being a non-profit agency--- They have to be doing specific social work with no strings attatched-- which MANY do.
I think its actually incredibly prejudiced to give $ to agencies that do social work (adoption, feed the poor, shelters, food shelves, etc....) But to purposly refuse to grant funds for the exact same work if it is done by a religious person or agency. That is discrimintaion-- it's judging whose social contribution is worth supporting based on religion of the owners/founders/volunteers.
As a side note: I have personal experience in being FORCED to a private organization for federal assistance that is worse. While in High School after the JWs had me kicked out of my home I applied for welfare to pay for the room I was renting and to stay in school. Since I was underage I was required to meet regularly at a private teen shelter for approval of funds. This shelter was private owned but supported by governement money-- It was the most disgusting place I have EVER been in. It was in the worst possible neighborhood of our city, it was run down, seedy characters always lined the alley that you had to go through to get to the entrance, once inside there was baskets of condoms on every table and "interesting" posters line the walls. The person I was to meet with asked me pages and pages of questions on my sex life--- I was 15 and a virgin-- and refused to accpet my answers that I was a virgin and badgered me for the truth. She lectured me on my attitude when I refused to change my story that I was a virgin and started pressuring me to take life seriously and that I needed to prepare for responsible sex. I told her with all due respect that although it was none of her business - that I plan on remaining a virgin till marragie and she laughed at me and offered more condoms. I was disgusted with the disrespect and called the Government offices and requested I be given a different contact and they refused saying all social work has been contracted out to this private organization-- I asked them to then adjust the attitude of their agents then because I was very offended-- They said they couldn't do anything because it was a private organization.MY ***POINT IN THIS STORY IS: The Government much before the time of Bush already gives $ to private organizations with sociological and religious agendas-- they just aren't christian or moral views.
A whole other issue is whether the christians should ask for money being as its their God-given responsibilty to use whatever $ and resources they personally have they to help the poor and those in need-- and the government does not owe them money for that--- BUT if $ is available it should be equally available to all who are contributing to society. I personally think the government should just do what it has to period without giving $ to any private agencies period but as long as there is federal funding for private social work it should be across the board and equal.
Okie- that was a little more than 2cents worth-lol
<><Angie
