WP: Bush's Faith Plan Faces Judgment (of Courts)

[DeepModem Mom]

Bush's Faith Plan Faces Judgment
Courts Assess Mission to Give Federal Funds to Religious Charities
By Alan Cooperman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 20, 2005; Page A25


Chalk up a big legal victory for President Bush's effort to help religious charities get taxpayer funding. And score a symbolic win, too, for those who think Bush's "faith-based initiative" is just pork-barrel politics in disguise.

Bush's big victory came Sept. 30 in New York, where a federal judge threw out most elements of a religious discrimination lawsuit against the Salvation Army. Eighteen employees claimed they were fired or demoted because they refused to pledge support to the Salvation Army's mission of "proclaiming Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord," disclose what church they attended or name gay co-workers.

U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein noted that all the plaintiffs worked for a children's services division of the Salvation Army that gets 95 percent of its $50 million budget from government grants.

But the judge's 48-page opinion upheld the principle that a religious group can hire and fire employees on the basis of their religious beliefs and practices, even if their salaries come from taxpayer funds. That principle is at the heart of the Bush administration's policy....

***

On the other hand, critics of the faith-based initiative got a boost last week when the U.S. Department of Education suspended a $435,000 grant for Alaska Christian College, an unaccredited, one-year school run by the Evangelical Covenant Church....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/19/AR2005101902122.html

[usregimechange]

1. Tax payer funded discimination, Jim Crow would be proud.

[KoKo]

2. I hope this goes to a higher court. Of course if it get's to the Supremes

we know that Bush has taken care of the faith based thing forever with his picks.

I'm shocked at this judges decision, though, so I hope it does get up to the Supremes.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Bush's Faith Plan Faces Judgment

Bush's Faith Plan Faces Judgment
Courts Assess Mission to Give Federal Funds to Religious Charities

By Alan Cooperman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 20, 2005; Page A25

Chalk up a big legal victory for President Bush's effort to help religious charities get taxpayer funding. And score a symbolic win, too, for those who think Bush's "faith-based initiative" is just pork-barrel politics in disguise.

Bush's big victory came Sept. 30 in New York, where a federal judge threw out most elements of a religious discrimination lawsuit against the Salvation Army. Eighteen employees claimed they were fired or demoted because they refused to pledge support to the Salvation Army's mission of "proclaiming Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord," disclose what church they attended or name gay co-workers.

U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein noted that all the plaintiffs worked for a children's services division of the Salvation Army that gets 95 percent of its $50 million budget from government grants.

But the judge's 48-page opinion upheld the principle that a religious group can hire and fire employees on the basis of their religious beliefs and practices, even if their salaries come from taxpayer funds. That principle is at the heart of the Bush administration's policy.
(snip/...)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/19/AR2005101902122.html?nav=rss_politics

[marbuc]

4. And people wonder why I don't donate to Salvation Army?

eom

[bluestateguy]

5. Has the Church of Satan applied for funds?

Or the Scientologists? Or the Nation of Islam? Or how about a Wahabbist Muslim group that preaches that Osama bin Laden is a great man?

They would have the right to funds too if we are going to have this foolish program.

[msongs]

6. then I can fire all our employees because of their religions and orientati

ons too. that might be good news after all.

wont have to listen to the fundie radio station at work.


Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

7. Now my patent to harness the energy from the Founding Fathers

rolling over in their graves can finally be realized!

Horseshit.

[JusticeForAll]

8. I want my country back

I want my country back

They had no legitimate right to lead it in the first place.

They have led it into the ground, forced it to eat mud, and robbed it blind while doing so.

We've been screwed by the elephant