Stimulus Package: Anti-Faith, Unconstitutional
I wish that were a misprint.
The fact of the matter that there is language in the Obama stimulus package that is patently discriminatory against religious faiths. This really should come as no surprise given that liberalism is anti-Christ and anti-religion. It’s a humanist philosophy.
Specifically, pages 164-165 of the stimulus bill says this:
(2) PROHIBITED USES OF FUNDS. No funds awarded under this section may be used for – (C) modernization, renovation, or repair of facilities (i) used for sectarian instruction, religious worship, or a school or department of divinity; or (ii) in which a substantial portion of the functions of the facilities are subsumed in a religious mission; or construction of new facilities.
The funds referred to are $3.5 billion dollars which is to go to public and private colleges and universities.
What many may be saying is why should they? Isn’t that a promotion of a religion? No it isn’t. It’s actually unconstitutional.
In the 2001 Good News Club v. Milford Central School Supreme Court decision, the court ruled that restricting religious speech within the context of public shared-use facilities (or schools) is unconstitutional. By allowing funds to be parsed out ad hoc based on whether a public building is used for religious activities is discriminatory and goes against the 1st Amendment, which st
ates:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
This would in effect bar use of campus buildings for groups like Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Campus Crusade for Christ, Catholic Student Ministries, Hillel and other religious organizations.
Senator Jim DeMint said, after a 43-54 defeat of his amendment to that language, “This is a direct attack on students of faith, and I’m outraged Democrats are using an economic stimulus bill to promote discrimination. This is now an ACLU stimulus designed to trigger lawsuits designed to intimidate religious organizations across the nation. This language is so vague, it’s not clear if students can even pray in a dorm room renovated with this funding since that is a form of ‘religious worship.’ If this provision remains in the bill, it will have a chilling effect on students of faith in America”
The solution is quite simple. It’s time to make our voices heard.
Start writing emails and making phone calls to your senators today. If you’re not sure who they are, you can go to www.votesmart.org and look at your particular state to see who your senator is if you don’t know. Write AND call them. The number to call is 202-224-2131. Tell them to change this language immediately and to scrap this bill altogether. Let your voice be heard in support of the Constitution and freedom everywhere.
God bless you.
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Ever heard of the separation of church and state?
1Sure have. Funny thing about that:
1. It’s not in the Constitution.
2. The First Amendment is.
So you may want to actually read the story before commenting. You dislike of religion doesn’t make discriminating against it right.
P.R.E.Z.
2The Truth Manifesto Blog
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Great post! I really enjoy reading your blog. Keep up the good work.
I recently started a new blog that will be highlighting the dangerous advances of the secular progressive movement (pro-gay “rights”, pro-abortion, anti-religious freedoms, etc).
We’re looking to build a solid group of conservatives who’ll frequent our site regularly and contribute to some good discussions. The site gets updated daily with breaking news, so you’ll want to check back often, or you can just sign up for our News Feed.
If you’ll add us to your blogroll we’ll gladly add you to ours. Our blog is called Religion and Morality.
Thanks!
3Considering the language “(i) used for sectarian instruction, religious worship, or a school or department of divinity; or (ii) in which a substantial portion of the functions of the facilities are subsumed in a religious mission” as a qualification of the restriction, your observation makes no sense. There is no threat or penalty as a result of this legislation to religious institutions. Public schools and their facilities do not fall into the above criteria so what you are saying is simply false.
4Thanks for the compliment.
Normally I don’t like to have comment sections used for advertising someone’s blog. A link is enough. I’ll make an exception but you really should just contact the blog owner personally if you want to exchange links. I have a contact tab under my bio. Use that in the future.
P.R.E.Z.
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Some one isn’t paying attention.
It specifically excludes religious organizations which is discrimination. If a religious organization meets the criteria for the funds, why single them out not to receive it? How they use the funds is how they use the funds.
This really doesn’t go to the heart of the matter: the fiscal suicide the stimulus package represents.
Oh…by the way, someone on Capitol Hill agreed because the Senate didn’t pass this part of the bill.
P.R.E.Z.
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