Federal Government Should Block Earmarks For Religious Work

[and-justice-for-all]

Federal Government Should Block Earmarks For Religious Work, Says Americans United
Monday, February 25, 2008

Church-State Watchdog Group Highlights A Slew Of Constitutionally Suspect Appropriations

Americans United for Separation of Church and State today urged federal agencies to block constitutionally suspect earmarks directing tax dollars to a string of religious organizations.

In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alfonso Jackson and Department of Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, Americans United challenges 10 grants of public dollars for religious organizations or programs that appear to violate the First Amendment principle of the separation of church and state.

The Americans United letter identifies an additional 16 earmarks that raise constitutional concerns and should only be issued if the federal agencies “can ensure that the grant funds will be restricted to secular activities and not be used to support religious coercion or discrimination….”

“Government pork for religious work is never kosher,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “The federal government should never use public funds to directly support religious missions. The bulk of these earmarks are highly suspect because they are directed at groups or programs that include heavy doses of proselytization.”

more: http://www.au.org/site/News2?abbr=pr&page=NewsArticle&id=9679

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Big kick. AU is the gold standard! nt

[and-justice-for-all]

2. kick.