Miscellaneous > The Lounge
2 x 2 = ? Is it too complicated?
cocoamix:
I hate Bush and Gates more than almost anyone. I know I might be in the majority here, but I think I hate Bush even more than I hate Bill Gates.
Than again, we've had to live with Gates' bullshit for a lot longer than we have GWB's...
slave:
quote:But the money doesn't actually go to funding the religion. It *can* go to religious organizations for things like keeping the homeless fed, helping to get them off drugs, provide shelter, etc. So if you have something against helping the homeless then that is a different story.
--- End quote ---
Faith-based funding funds *faith*-based organizations by the very definition. I have no problem with the government spending money on solving drug addiction and helping the poor, in fact I am deeply concerned with the plight of all people in those predicaments, but I am massively opposed to giving the money to churches and then asking them to promise never to bring up god or religion. It just ain't going to happen. For instance some of that faith-based money is going to Bob Jones University of all places. Bob Jones is a Christian fundamentalist "college" which teaches creationism to students and bans interracial dating on campus. How can the government possibly make sure that none of that money will be used to fund religious activities?
If funding religion is *not* the goal of faith-based funding (and by the inclusion of the word faith it seems to me it must) then why not put the money into creating totally secular programs free from religious influence?
Religious charities should remain voluntary charities, for the sake of religion itself in this country if not for the constitutional principle of separation of church and state. When the government starts funding a church, the church becomes dependent on the government for funds. So it's bad for churches too.
What would be funny is if some of the money went to an Islamic charity in the US which happened to be raising money for Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda. Now *that* would be irony!
There is a lot more to say about this subject. I suggest going to http://www.au.org/ (Americans United for the Separation of Church and State) for more information on religion and the government.
TheQuirk:
Go away. Stick this in the shit-bin.
voidmain:
quote:Originally posted by Linux User #5225982375:
If funding religion is *not* the goal of faith-based funding (and by the inclusion of the word faith it seems to me it must) then why not put the money into creating totally secular programs free from religious influence?
--- End quote ---
Because many religious institutions already have these programs and it will cost nothing to set them up (except for the accountability of where the money goes). It would cost a lot more to have the government start new programs for this. I think it's better to let people help people. I am certainly not a religious person (even though I was brought up in somewhat of a religious environment). I believe it is great that existing religions already help the homeless regardless of their beliefs. And if they get a little religious preachings on the side and it ultimately solves their problem of being homeless then I can't possibly see anything wrong with that.
quote:
What would be funny is if some of the money went to an Islamic charity in the US which happened to be raising money for Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda. Now *that* would be irony!
--- End quote ---
Nothing wrong with some of that money going to Islamic organizations for the same purpose. And as long as there is accountability the money->OBL shouldn't be that much of an issue.
[ January 29, 2003: Message edited by: void main ]
slave:
quote: And if they get a little religious preachings on the side and it ultimately solves their problem of being homeless then I can't possibly see anything wrong with that.
--- End quote ---
That's exactly what's wrong with faith-based funding. The government shouldn't fund organizations that preach to people about religion, even if it is part of something beneficial. I know if I were a drug addict looking for help I certainly wouldn't want my only option to be to go to some "faith based drug rehab" program and get harassed to death by Jesus freaks. I swear, off of one dangerous psychological dependency and onto another.
Besides, there are already secular government programs in existence. Faith-based funding reduces the funding for those programs too.
I have a feeling that faith-based funding is Dubya's way of paying back all the churches and conservative religious leaders who helped fund his campaign.
[ January 29, 2003: Message edited by: Linux User #5225982375 ]
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