Media Transparency reports that Pres. Bush’s faith-based initiative is taking some flak, nothing new, I’ve blogged about this before.

2/14/2007

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is suing the state of Iowa for using state funds for government sponsored proselytizing. The kicker, they’re using the funds in prisons.

Despite some legal battles currently playing out in the courts, Bush’s program seems to be running quietly under the radar.

The National Journal reports:

“Under the public radar, federal, state, and local governments are funding, training, and even helping to create religious social service organizations.”

I see it right here in my small city of 300,000. The local school system is farming out their at-risk students to an after-school program put on by a local Baptist church.

“More than $2 billion in federal funding — and an un-tallied but growing amount of state and local support — is pouring into church-affiliated organizations around the country annually.”

And now faith-based organizations can go up for $20 billion in funding.

People tell me that these organizations are filling a void and I shouldn’t worry because they’re helping people.

I’ve seen how some of these same organizations operate personally in Africa. “Here’s some food, let’s talk about Jesus.”

Churches are just like businesses, instead of profits they look at the number of souls “saved.”

This isn’t a case of “us” against “them,” it goes back to the establishment clause.

For example, the at-risk students attending after-school activities at the local Baptist church. Religion might be the answer to their needs but the government can’t be pushing it on them.

My tax dollars should not be going to the operating costs of any church.