Churches will be paid by FEMA

[Clint]

Here we go. FEMA is ready to take a giant step toward the end of religious liberty in America. They are yielding to the short sighted requests by some religious leaders to pay churches for their efforts to help Katrina victims.

Joe Becker, senior vice president for preparedness and response with the Red Cross, said; "I believe it's appropriate for the federal government to assist the faith community because of the scale and scope of the effort and how long it's lasting".

This is a big mistake, no matter what the circumstances. If this does nothing else, it will reduce the willingness of people to give to faith based organizations because they are already being taxed. President Bush is either short sighted or wants to bring faith based organizations under the auspices and control of the government.

just churches clint? what about the salvation army or local school districts, etc...? what about all the non faith based folks, are there plans for them?

[Clint]

Originally Posted by flopstock

just churches clint? what about the salvation army or local school districts, etc...? what about all the non faith based folks, are there plans for them?

It looks like it't a pretty broad brush.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9495550/

[Accountable]

The gov't is not a charity, and should never pay charities. That's my job. If the gov't is using part of my money to give to charities, why should I? Red Cross, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, and any other charity needs to get their hands out of my pocket! I'll give what I want to whom I want myself.

We've got all this extra money in the federal coffers, I want some of my tax money back!

[SOJOURNER]

Isn't this a conflict with the separation of church and state?

If the federal government is going to pay churches, whose pocket is this money really coming out of? Is this a way to be able to give more and hide it?

When my daughter comes to me for money does it not lessen the family resources but lets it seem like she is getting less -- because she didn't get it all from Dad!

BAD management! BAD governing!!!!!!!!

[Accountable]

It's not a conflict, though you can bet your last dollar somebody's going to sue claiming it is. It is bad policy though, imo. The gov't is not supposed to have extra money, I am! Gimme back my money, if there's extra. If you need it at some future time, ask for it then.

[LilacDragon]

I guess I am not understanding how it is not a conflict. I know I am the new girl on the block and have lots to learn, but if memory serves, churches don't pay taxes. Why are they more deserving then others when we start handing tax dollars out for disaster relief?

The seperation of church and state has been, shall we say, put on the back burner lately. While I don't belong to an organized religious group, I was raised Methodist and I do believe in God. I do have my own mind however, and feel that I don't need someone to tell me how I should feel about such topics as abortion, gay rights, etc. While I don't pray every night, I do have long conversations with the Almighty as I see fit.

I will say that I was offended by MY President telling me that a certain day would be a day of prayer!

[Accountable]

I'm looking at worship being separate from charity.

But don't get me wrong; I don't think any charity should expect money from the gov't. The job of gov't is to protect our freedom and get out of the way. Anything else is intrusive.

[Accountable]

Originally Posted by Jives

I pledge allegiance to the Government of the United States of America. And to the Aristocracy for which it stands, One Government, who is God, indivisible, with random searches, roadblocks, and wiretapping for all.

Hmmm. It's got rhythm, but I'm hoping it's not much to dance to.

[Clint]

I don’t have a problem with a President asking people to pray or setting aside a special day for it. He isn’t saying how people should pray…just that he would like for them to pray.

The federal government has stepped way outside its constitutional boundaries. It has no business in the role it has assumed. Personal responsibility is not the government’s responsibility.

When I gave to a religious organization to help with the Katrina disaster I wanted that organization to be able to step up in love and make a difference. If the federal government is now going to take my tax dollars and pay them back…what was the point in my giving in the first place? This all makes our politicians sound so benevolent but it will weaken our response in future disasters.

Federal money is never given without strings attached. I don’t want those strings attached to faith based organizations.

Accountable, I agree with you big time. This is a local issue that should be addressed locally. I too want my money back.