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
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.