AMERICAN ATHEISTS ACTION ALERT

April 11, 2002

"BUSH PUSH" ON FAITH-BASED INITIATIVE PRESSURES SENATE TO PASS AID-TO-RELIGION ENTITLEMENT SCHEME

In a White House speech to supporters today, President Bush called upon the Senate to pass his "Charity Aid, Recovery and Empowerment Act of 2000." Mr. Bush told the nation that "the federal government should not discriminate against faith" when handing out tax dollars.

CARE (Bill S.1924) has been introduced by Sens. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn) and Rick Santorum (R-PA). Supporters claim that the legislation would encourage voluntary private and philanthropic contributions to charitable groups, including houses of worship which operate faith-based social programs. They also say that the bill avoids constitutional and other problems found in earlier faith-based funding measures.

-- CARE would still impose a de facto "Religion Tax"on millions of Americans who describe themselves as Atheists, Freethinkers, Humanists or others who profess no religious creed.

-- CARE would "sneak" money to churches and other houses of worship through funding mechanisms like the "Compassion Capital Fund." Major government departments would offer "technical assistance" to help churches, mosques and temples write grants and incorporate faith-based programs.

-- TITLE VI of the CARE legislation would use disingenuous "Social Services Block Grants" to make available up to $2 billion in fiscal 2003 for faith-based programs. The Block Grants essentially "launder" our tax money which then trickles down from Washington to state and local funding agencies, where it is then turned over to faith-based operators. Supporters hope that this "back door" funding will allow CARE to pass constitutional muster.

A Reuters news dispatch notes:

"Bush, who opens Cabinet meetings with a prayer and credits his Methodist faith with helping him quite drinking alcohol 15 years ago, has struggled to win congressional approval of his faith-based initiative, a plan that would let religious organizations help deliver federal social assistance ranging from aid to pregnant teens to help for the homeless."

THE PRESIDENT WANTS THE SENATE TO APPROVE A FAITH-BASED INITIATIVE BY MEMORIAL DAY -- MAY 27

Lawmakers need to hear from you NOW!

* We suggest that you concentrate your letters, faxes and phone calls on the U.S. Senate. The House of Representatives has already passed H.R. 7, the Community Solutions Act. But the CARE proposal is considered to have a greater chance of success on Capitol Hill.

* Check out our TIPS ON CONTACTING CONGRESS. We urge you to send "snail mail" and faxes, or make personal phone calls to voice your opinion.

* LEARN MORE about the faith-based initiative.

* LET US HEAR FROM YOU! We'll post same letters on the Action Alert web site. Email a copy of your letter to ccletters@atheists.org.

* Spread the word! Circulate copies of this Action Alert!

* FIND OUT who your representative is and where to write. We urge you to send a typed or handwritten letter, or send a fax, since these have far more impact than alternatives such as e-mail.