Rev. Welton Gaddy, of the Interfaith Alliance, is standing up for the U.S.

[Maat]

Constitution again, thank Spirit!

Gaddy is an ordained Baptist minister, who currently heads the progressively-minded Interfaith Alliance, and who hosts a show on Air America called "State of Belief." He is a past president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

**Quote**
"The election of Congressman Boehner to be majority leader has the potential to be a disaster for the religious liberties of all Americans," Rev. Welton Gaddy, president of The Interfaith Alliance (TIA), declared.

Boehner, who represents Ohio's 8th District, was elected Feb. 2 as majority leader. He defeated two other candidates, including acting Majority Leader Roy Blunt of Missouri.

Gaddy told Cybercast News Service that "Congressman Boehner would use the machinery of the federal government to impose religion on people turning to the government for basic services.

"That's a violation of the Constitution and it is a serious compromise of religious liberty," Gaddy said.
**Endquote**


I got the quote from CNSNews; they are a conservative website, who I'm sure disagrees with Gaddy.

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=\Politics\archive\200602\POL20060207a.html

(link doesn't seem to work well)



Gaddy is protesting giving federal money to "faith-based" organizations, given the current context, and commenting on Boehner being made majority leader, taking into consideration Boehner's past political positions.

I agree with Gaddy that, although these religious organizations who receive federal money are supposed to keep their public-program arm secular, they frequently do not. When I was a social worker, some of my clients were helped, but that help always came with a price. They were "encouraged" by their helpers to "get saved" and "go to our church," in violation of the law and program constraints. One time an organization had gotten my client to turn over her aid check, to "manage it" for her, and refused to give the money back. It was given back to my client after I had a nice, helpful-to-all chat with the program administrator.

Anyway, go Gaddy! To learn more about Rev. Gaddy, go to:

www.stateofbelief.com .

[trotsky]

1. Right-wing doublespeak.

From the end of the article, where Boner's spokesperson is blathering:

"He firmly believes we must protect the civil liberties of faith-based organizations willing to help offer services in federal programs. This means protecting their Civil Rights Act hiring rights in current programs, and restoring these protections to federal programs from which they have been stripped."

In other words, the right to proselytize a captive and vulnerable population is now a "civil liberty." The right to reject aid to anyone whose lifestyle or morals you do not condone is also a "civil liberty."

Much easier to defend a "civil liberty" than the right to discriminate and hate.

[Maat]

2. Yes, Dr. Gaddy doesn't use rightwing doublespeak,

but the Religious Reich, of whom Boner is a part, does.

Gaddy left his association with the Southern Baptists under a "hail of gunfire," so-to-speak. Gaddy argued that the best way to preserve religious freedom was to keep government and religion/faith totally separate. He is an "old school" Baptist in the sense that he believes everything is a matter best left to the individual conscience - and to the individual to decide. He witnessed the hardrighties come in an eliminate any semblance of progress or moderation from the Southern Baptists in the 80's; it had been going in a progressive, liberal direction until people like Pressler, Patterson and Rodgers decided to assert themselves. That's my understanding anyway.

He's trying to speak up for the religious left, so-to-speak (the progressives). Even some atheists have joined his effort, and that is detailed at www.interfaithalliance.org .

As I've discussed with some on this Board, I feel that it is very important for me (a person of faith) to work with my atheist friends (and other progressives) to preserve the separation of church and state. It is what is best for all Americans.

Towards that end, we have founded a local group working towards that end, among others.

[trotsky]

3. Sorry I wasn't clear.

I was pointing out the right-wing doublespeak at the end of the article, by Boner's lackey.

Wasn't referring to Gaddy or the IFA. :hi:

[Maat]

4. Oh, I knew that.

Sorry I wasn't clear!

I just hope that progressives can work together to help counter the efforts of the theocratic right.

Here's a better link, by the way:
http://www.interfaithalliance.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=8dJIIWMCE&b=490355&content_id={845F906B-D8A5-4FB4-BB26-55EF0A108FF0}¬oc=1

(always seem to have trouble with those rightwing links - probably just something about ME).

I believe, thinking about what you said, that is ALWAYS important to call attention to that rightwing doublespeak. Language is everything. I agree with Lakoff there. Thanks.

:hi: