WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Supreme Court Monday upheld the legality of an internal White House office that forcefully pushes federal aid for religious charities, a case with an unusual nexus of constitutional, financial and political implications.By a 5-4 vote, a conservative majority concluded taxpayers did not have “standing” to challenge in court the discretionary spending authority of the executive branch for its Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI).An atheist and agnostic group from Wisconsin claimed the Bush administration had given churches and religious groups an unfair advantage in access to federal grant programs.The justices on both sides of the debate treaded boldly over broader constitutional questions, including the limits of government endorsement of religion. The Constitution forbids any law “respecting the establishment of religion,” but judges and politicians have been at odds for decades over a permissible degree of separation between church and state.The White House hailed the decision”This ruling is a win for the thousands of community and faith-based nonprofits all across the country that have partnered with government at all levels to serve their neighbors,” White House spokesperson Emily Lawrimore said. “Most importantly, it is a win for the many whose lives have been lifted by the caring touch and compassionate hearts of these organizations.”
Folks, this is very bad news. It gives immunity to the President to break the law (it’s not breaking the law anymore) by simply choosing to give money to religious institutions, but not secular ones. This case may change everything. We can’t stop the huge gush of tax money going to churches, we don’t even have the right to sue.Bad day. All Bush.http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/06pdf/06-157.pdf
goddamn… religion just continues to fuck up the country.
Yes it is still breaking the law. This just goes to show why we cannot, under any circumstances, allow another Rethuglican president to be elected. We must get keep them from getting more reactionary idiots in the Supreme Court.
What we should do, in huge numbers, is stop paying our taxes. Fat chance, though, huh?
This makes me sick to my stomach.
Ughh!
This is certainly bad news – but, according to a statement by Lynn, at least this ruling only affects money from a White House discretionary fund being used to promote the faith-based initiative. Lynn said that it “is important to note that this ruling applies to only a few situations. Most church-state lawsuits, including those that challenge congressional appropriations for faith-based programs, will not be affected.” I hope that is the case.
I agree completely that electing another Republican as President will further push the Supreme Court in this direction. As an Independent, I suppose I will be voting once again for the lesser of two weevils. I hate it.
It’s not all bad today. A judge in another case ruled that some jackass can’t sue a dry cleaner for $54 million dollars because they lost his pants. At least someone has a little sense.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070625/ap_on_re_us/67_million_pants
But then, another SC decision today was against the young man and his ‘Bong Hits For Jeebus’ case about free speech. Sigh. Most of these conservative decisions are coming down 5-4, we all just have to ‘pray’ gawd will call home one or two of his fans from that side of the bench about the time a Dem prez is in house.
I’m disturbed and this 5-4 thing is going to get old real quick. Here’s what bothers me. Example: Bush decides to give 5 million to the Jerry Falwell Liberty university program to help people overseas. Then Liberty university only spends 2 million on that, keeps 1 mill and kicks back a 2 million contribution to a political candidate, say Brownback or whomever Bush loves. All the money unaccounted for.
I know a lot of folks out there actually try to say atheism is just another “religion”…soooo, maybe we can get some of this OFBCI funding for some of our community projects, to include prosetylizing on the values of atheism and rational thought. I can see it now, a big sign in the soup kitchen, “The Lord provideth not (obviously), but we are here to help…”
TXatheist hits the nail right on the head. In addition, please notice that once again, US Supremes majority are all Catholic Conservatives. In addition, this ruling once again stands for the proposition that the only thing religious organizations are in the business of, is the business of making, getting, stealing, money through any means then can manage. Religious organizations are just another corporation whose only purpose for being is to enrich itself.
As for the 5-4 ruling, I purpose that each of you write your Congressman and Senators right this moment. State that this is an official petition for the representative or senators to pass legislation that no federal court in the country will consist of a majority of members at the bench who are of one particular religion.
TXatheist, I fear you have hit the nail square on the head. Of course, I suppose we can all be comforted knowing that a xian university wouldn’t do something so underhanded–NOT!
I am also not overly comforted by the information provided by Tarma. I worry that this ruling has only opened the door a bit wider. Bush, with his appointments to the court, has done the country easily as much harm as he has done with his Iraq war.
Also totally agree that we must not elect another of Bush’s kind. How about some input from everybody about Bloomberg. I’m guessing he is thinking of running since it now looks as if he could well be a 3rd party candidate. What little I know of him doesn’t sound too bad, but would like to hear some other opinions.
Bush has got this country going back in time. I?m wondering if he will attempt to reinstate burning witches at the stake before his term is up.
deak,
I doubt that but he’s got enough instruction to distinquish who he abuses. “enemy combatants” are acceptable victims of torture but not Americans. Bush and his puppeteers know that most americans draw a line between what happens to fellow Americans and other people. If an American soldier is whipped in Iraq then many are outraged. If an innocent Iraqi citizen is tortured for information on Saddam or OBL then it’s okay to many.
All I can say in response is “1-20-09″…
actually, TXatheist, the bush administration wanted to be able to label american citizens as “enemy combatants,” too (jose padilla is the only one that comes to mind), but lost that battle in the courts.
bush’s authoritarianism knows no bounds; he cares little if his victims are iraqis or americans.
EJ,
Haven’t you heard? Cheney and Bush are above the law! Because they say they are.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/06/cheney-power-gr.html
Well… fuck
And “1-20-09″ is a good slogan to boost morale, but even after Bush leaves, it will take a very long time to overrule this decision.
Well DAMN. I’ve known some contractors that have gotten rich off of ONE contract with Uncle Sam! A friend assisted through the FED when the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Alaska, and they haven’t had to work since!!!!
It’s digusting, the bullshit they allow to happen with MY money while our schools, hospitals, and military facilities deteriorate.
Support the troops.
What about the children.
MY ASS.
BTW, I should know this. Are these “faith-based” non-profits required to file Form 990 (non-profit return) that other 501 organizations have to file? I’d love to peruse those filings if given a chance.
Comment from: Peter
So Pete…are you saying you support religious testing…?
TX…
The scenario you’ve described can not happen…check the law…there are checks in place.
Now, will this stop total abuse…?
Absolutely not…but then again I can’t think of a single government program that isn’t open to abuse…
Comment from: mdetrano
You know I don’t want you to be tar and feathered by the other troops…but this is the most logical thoughtful response to date…
The problem is…there are no atheist organizations who’s main purpose is to help the poor…
Although there was lots of chatter about starting a few after Katrina…whatever happened to that idea…?
Comment from: Bones
Short answer is yes…
However, the IRS just changed the requirments for the 990’s. Now the salaries of all the officers has to be in plain view on page one…
Something I’m sure AA and the ACLU and others are not going to like…
http://www.boston.com/business/taxes/articles/2007/06/17/new_irs_form_targets_charities_salaries/
Well, the longer answer is that while they may have to file the same forms, they do NOT have to account for how the faith-based money is spent. There is no oversight, which is how the office was designed.
It’s like filing a tax return but all the numbers are zero — and you never get audited!
GF&G: Bloomingberg may be an option at this point. I like a few things I’ve heard about him but am uneasy about other things. I’m not sure that someone oh so rich and comfortable will amount to a cats meow. Also (despite his views and stands) he was a republican and I DO hold that against him. On the other hand Bloomberg openly supports science and has come across as almost progressive in many of his viewpoints. Given the serious problems we face and especially with regard for the advancement of science over ridiculous religious fables and superstitions, I would most definately give consideration to Bloomberg as a viable alternative to at least some other sad caliber candidates actively seeking the oval office.
Bloomberg is just another corporate monster. In case you haven’t caught on to the ages-old game being played here it’s called Divide and Conquer. The corporate run media tells you what the issues “are” and targets certain demographics with one media message and others with another message. It is all designed to divide us so that we do not pay attention to the motivation of global corporate interprise … to rob us blind in soo many ways. Religion’s real evil lies in the well tried and tested fact that it is a made-to-order divider not a uniter. The Phreedy’s of the world suck it up and ask for another.
What,
I’ll probably spend all of the nation’s money on food and kitty litter, but I don’t work for any corporations. And I look damn fine in a suit. 
That’s why you should just write me in on your ballot.
IMHO…
It’s not a question of tax-funded religion, but of tax-funded entitlements.
Evil
Kitties? I’m in!
OT alert
NYTimes has a great section on evolution and development. See:
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/science/
I didn’t see any mention of Kitties though
What,
The kitties always get left out, don’t they?
Phreedm,
Again with the antagonism. Please tell me how a faith based church is going to account for the funds. If they say they had 5 million in expenses like handouts, materials or supplies the IRS is not going to come audit them. A simple forged receipt is all they need.
And when I donate my time and money to savedarfur.org I’m sure it’s a secular organization.
Beware the law of unintended consequences, Reverend Bush. Sonn, with the example you set, we will publicly fund muslim organizations and, gawd forbid (as if gawd had anything to do with it), those good for nothing godless things… I mean people. The day we get a freethinking President, American Atheists will have a new major supporter, the federal government, aka the people. It may not happen all at once, but given time it is inevitable. It is out destiny.
Star Wars Episode VII: Goerge dumbee, I mean dubya, I am your father.
Comment from: TXatheist
Hmmmmm………………..???
http://www.savedarfur.org/pages/board_of_directors
Please don’t let their religious affiliation stop you from volunteering…
Yesterday wasn’t a good day for the secularists…
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C286495%2C00.html
Phreedm,
To which religious affiliation are they subscribing to?
From your above post, it appears to me they are quite the mixed bag.
@Phreedm re: Jesus portrait…
I actually agree with you on this one. I am an avid collector of Jesii portraits and have been known to travel great distances to get a good one (Jesus of the Week site). I tried image searching for the Jesus of Slidell and could not find Him on Google or Yahoo or AltaVista…that rascal Jesucristo is a crafty one…Is he carrying lambs/crucified/crying tears/long-hair/in a tunic or is he more of a hipster-Christ, a buffed-up Jesus? Let me know if you happen to find the portrait. I would love to see it.
OOPs, that’s crying “ruby” tears…
Barbie
Love that Jeezuz o d’week!
Comment from: DVanWechel [Member]
Phreedm
Religion…not secualarism as TX thought…
This reminds me of the fact that it was the christian churches which lead the anti-slavery fight in this country…
As I’ve asked many times on this board…
Is there ANY atheist organization which was founded for the purpose of helping the poor…?
“This reminds me of the fact that it was the christian churches which lead the anti-slavery fight in this country…”
Yeah! The same xian institution that used the bibble to justify slavery. Talk about chasin’ your tail!
Phreedm,
You don’t have to be this way you know. I am an atheist and I am a Universal Unitarian and I help with hands on housing that has mostly church people who believe in god but it’s a secular organization with a secular purpose.
Phreedm,
I am my own organization. I have been a big brother/mentor to 3 inner city kids in Houston. I regularly visit them, help them with school, spend quality time with them by playing hoops, golf range, run errands, buy groceries, buy xmas presents, b-day presents, have them write papers with their goals listed, and even play a video game with them to which they whoop my butt. It’s none of your business how much I gave but you can imagine the expenses.
phreedm i think there is big risk here for churchs.pols don’t give away money for nothing.
hats off to you Txatheist.its interesting how we reponse to the misery around us.all i do is donate money and food.how do you suppress the anger at the misery you see.i remember helping dad search for an abused woman once, her father in law was head of local law enforcement.things like that really left me angry at the injustice of it.i wish there was a heaven because i know there is a hell because we are in it.
reason,
I see the light at the end of the tunnel for these boys. The goals are the key to keeping them on the right path.