In other words: A discussion of The Bush Administration
How About We Separate the Church from Its Money?
Why didn't I think of that? Not gonna let a little U.S. Constitutional bedrock get in the way of a campaign, no sir, and if you don't believe that you're not a good Christian. Several extraordinarily concerned religious leaders have a big problem with it, though:
WASHINGTON, June 2 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Today, The Interfaith Alliance denounced an initiative from the Bush-Cheney campaign seeking to enlist campaign support in 1600 "friendly congregations" in Pennsylvania.
"Whether or not this is legal, this is an astonishing abuse of religion," said the Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance. "It is the rawest form of manipulation of religion for partisan gain."
"If ever there were a question about the real intent of expanding faith-based initiatives and promoting a presence of religion in government, this tactic puts it to rest," Rabbi Moline said. "The Bush-Cheney campaign has dropped any pretense of honoring the separation of church and state mandated by the Constitution, and puts in jeopardy the non-profit status of 1600 houses of worship by asking them to engage in partisan politics. The President should repudiate this initiative immediately. 1600 Pennsylvania churches for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. How clever. How reprehensible."
Reprehensible -- that's a quaint word for someone who's never recognized specific provisions in the Constitution he took an oath before God to uphold and protect -- but why stop at one, when you can trample them all?
"Sadly, the Bush campaign is willing to jeopardize churches' tax exempt status, by asking them to endorse his candidacy," said Rabbi Gregory S. Marx, Congregation Beth Or, and treasurer of the Southeast Pennsylvania Interfaith Alliance (SEPIA). "This is one further step, way past Bush's 'Faith Based Initiatives' towards blurring the necessary and historic lines separating church and state."
The president just met with the Pope; maybe Bush and Cheney can start selling Indulgences at $100,000 a plate (you have to give back the plate though).
- Michael 10:29 AM - [PermaLink] -
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