Secular Laws Cede to Religious Exemptions (ripping off more than...

[Bozita]

... just the taxpayers)

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/08/business/08religious.html?hp&ex=1160280000&en=1b166af956151524&ei=5094&partner=homepage

October 8, 2006

In God’s Name

Secular Laws Cede to Religious Exemptions
By DIANA B. HENRIQUES

At any moment, state inspectors can step uninvited into one of the three child care centers that Ethel White runs in Auburn, Ala., to make sure they meet state requirements intended to ensure that the children are safe. There must be continuing training for the staff. Her nurseries must have two sinks, one exclusively for food preparation. All cabinets must have safety locks. Medications for the children must be kept under lock and key, and refrigerated.

The Rev. Ray Fuson of the Harvest Temple Church of God in Montgomery, Ala., does not have to worry about unannounced state inspections at the day care center his church runs. Alabama exempts church day care programs from state licensing requirements, which were tightened after almost a dozen children died in licensed and unlicensed day care centers in the state in two years.

-snip-

An analysis by The New York Times of laws passed since 1989 shows that more than 200 special arrangements, protections or exemptions for religious groups or their adherents were tucked into Congressional legislation, covering topics ranging from pensions to immigration to land use. New breaks have also been provided by a host of pivotal court decisions at the state and federal level, and by numerous rule changes in almost every department and agency of the executive branch.

The special breaks amount to “a sort of religious affirmative action program,” said John Witte Jr., director of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at the Emory University law school.

-snip-

more...

[Thickasabrick]

1. I read all 5 pages. Good article but it got me thinking. Couldn't

anyone open a business and just call it something like.....church of Satan....and be able to take advantage of these government exemptions?

[htuttle]

4. If the executive branch acted fairly, sure you could

But come on, since when has that been the case? Where do you think we are -- Canada?

They'll find some reason or pretext to keep most non-Christian religious institutions from getting a significant share of the government money like the state approved religions do.

[Thickasabrick]

9. You're probably right. Should be interesting to see how these

cases turn out. One is christian and the other is muslim. Both are trying to spread out on what their cities have deemed "open land". If the christian group wins first, it sets a precedent for the muslim group.

[Toots]

10. I think if you follow the money you will find very few minority churches

receive any benefits from Government. Mostly the Fundie churches get the goods. More Cronyism..

[CornField]

11. Following the money isn't as easy as it sounds

There is no one place churches and religious organizations go to apply for faith-based funding. It is spread throughout different departments, each with their own reporting styles and mandates. The last truly investigative piece I've seen on this was done several years ago by Frontline "The Jesus Factor" in which it was reported that the White House Faith-Based office reported a different figure than what was being reported elsewhere, which differed from what was being reported over there, which differed from what was reported here, etc.

Another thing which came out in that piece was that although many different groups had applied for faith based funding, the vast majority who received the funding were Christian based. The few exceptions went to multi-denomination groups. In other words, not one group representing a pure Jewish community, a Muslim community, a pagan community or whatnot received faith-based funding as of the taping of that show.

You can still view the program online:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/jesus/

[Thickasabrick]

12. Thanks - fascinating stuff. Doesn't that prove that the govment is

favoring christians? I'm really surprised that there hasn't been any discriminatory lawsuits.

[DBoon]

13. It worked for L. Ron Hubbard

The Church of Scientology was started as a way for him to get tax exemption for his book royalties

[roseBudd]

2. Hmm, maybe this is why Marcus Feisel died in Cincinnati after being placed

by Lifeway for Youth AKA Grace Fellowship Church a faith based foster care placement agency.

[GAspnes]

3. who decides what a 'church' is?

That's the key. 'enemy combatant'. 'terrorist organization'. 'church'.

Who decides?

[patrick t. cakes]

6. who decides

who a president is??

[redphish]

8. There's a fine line between a church and a cult,

that line is drawn by which group can talk their followers out of the most money.

[PurityOfEssence]

14. A religion is just a cult that made it

You're right: bilking is the ticket to respectability.

[Tansy_Gold]

5. It's just another example of how persecuted. . . . .

Christians are in this country. :sarcasm:

[NMMNG]

7. Well hot damn

I'm going to start my own provider agency run by the 'Church of Buffy'. I'll be tax-exempt, have no regulations and get a pile of faith-based funding from the government. Why work two jobs when I'm essentially sitting on a cash cow? :sarcasm:



*And that BS about "The pastor and congregation are the monitors". "Pastor and congregation monitoring" haven't protected thousands of children from getting abused by clergy so how are we to expect it to ensure social programs are being run safely?

[LiberalFighter]

15. Can trust churches do right thing / Never worry children being harmed

[NoodleyAppendage]

16. Regulations? Why? The children will be taken care of by gOD.

Church daycare is specially ordained by the cloud being, so why would we need to worry about the children. I mean...it's not like anything bad ever happens in churches, like say certain fundamentalist churches in LA that preach that having sex with kids is good.

[jwirr]

17. In a nut shell this is the problem with privatization of social services.