Obama's Stimulus Bill a War on Prayer

[chefdennis]

Conservative Groups Declare Obama's Stimulus Bill a War on Prayer

A provision in the House-passed stimulus bill -- banning money to be used to renovate schools from being spent on facilities that allow "religious worship" -- has ignited fury among those who claim it discriminates on the basis of faith and violates the right to free speech.

By Cristina Corbin
Conservative Groups Declare Obama's Stimulus Bill a War on Prayer - Presidential Politics | Political News - FOXNews.com
FOXNews.com

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Democrats in Congress have declared war on prayer, say conservative groups who object to a provision in the stimulus bill that was passed by the House of Representatives last week.

The provision bans money designated for school renovation from being spent on facilities that allow "religious worship." It has ignited a fury among critics who say it violates the First Amendment and is an attempt to prevent religious practice in schools.

According to the bill, which the Democratic-controlled House passed despite unanimous Republican opposition, funds are prohibited from being used for the "modernization, renovation, or repair" of facilities that allow "sectarian instruction, religious worship or a school or department of divinity."

Critics say that could include public schools that permit religious groups to meet on campus. The House provided $20 billion for the infrastructure improvements, of which $6 billion would go to higher education facilities where the limitations would be applied.

"What the government is doing is discriminating against religious viewpoints," said Matthew Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, a Washington-based nonprofit organization that works to advance religious freedom.

"President Obama's version of faith-based initiatives is to remove the faith from initiative," said Staver, who believes Obama has "a completely different view on faith" from what he said during his presidential campaign.

"He is not the infallible messiah that some thought he would be," Straver said.

Civil liberty groups like the Americans United for Separation of Church and State vehemently defend the stimulus bill's provision, arguing that it in no way violates the Constitution.

"This provision upholds constitutional standards established by the U.S. Supreme Court and in no way affects student groups that meet on public school campuses," said the Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

The American Civil Liberties Union also defends the constitutionality of the restriction, which they say has been the law since 1972.

"It's almost a restatement of what the Constitution requires so there's nothing novel in what the House did in its restriction," said Christopher Anders, senior legislative counsel to the ACLU. "For 37 years, the law of the land is that the government can't pay for buildings that are used for religious purposes."

Not so, says the Traditional Values Coalition, which issued a statement Wednesday charging that Obama is using his stimulus plan to restrict the exercise of religion in public facilities -- a provision it says violates the right to free speech.

"The economic crisis is being used as a pretext to curb religious liberty at institutions of higher learning," said Executive Director Andrea Lafferty.

"We are not asking that federal funding be used to construct a church, but if a campus ministry wants to hold a Bible study or Mass in the student activity building, we should be encouraging that -- not punishing a college for permitting it," she said.

According to some constitutional law experts, any complaint filed against the provision will gain little ground in court.

"Certainly the provision is treating the act of religious organizations differently from the activities of the school itself," Harvard University constitutional law professor Mark Tushnet told FOXNews.com.

"It's not frivolous to say there's a constitutional problem with excluding religious facilities from these grants, but I think the way of the law is in the other direction," he said.

Tushnet cited a 2004 Supreme Court case in which a Washington student lost a college scholarship awarded by the state after it was revealed that he planned to pursue a degree in pastoral ministries. Though the student argued that rescinding the money discriminated on the basis of religion, the court ruled in the state's favor -- declaring that the taxpayer-funded scholarship's restriction is constitutional.

[Turtle]

The basis of this provision came from pressure being put on school administrators by some parents and some community leaders to force schools to build or renovate separate prayer facilities for Muslims. Congress nor Obama will come right out and say it, but that's the crux of it.

[bryan]

Hi
Thank God somebody is finally paying attention to the Constitution.The government is to keep its nose out of religion and now if religion would just keep its nose out of politics.
These religious leaders just assume that it will be their religion that will be the dominate religion; they never think that they could be forced to practice another faith or imprisoned for practicing the "wrong" religion as is the case in countrys that do not have separation of church and state.

[layoutshooter]

We don't have seperation of Church and State in the Constitution. It says that Congress Shall Make No Religion. We are susposed to have the freedom to practice ANY religion, a right that is under great threat over the past several years. I don't believe in using tax dollars for religious schools but I do believe that if a person chooses to sent a child to a private religious school they should be allowed some sort of tax break. We should have the freedom to send our children to ANY school we choose without having to pay for the public and private schools. Sort of a pay as you go system. Thats ok, the entire Bill of Rights is under threat from this President and Congress. I sorta seems that a large number of people no longer care about thier Rights either. Layoutshooter

[bryan]

Hi
I don't see the threat.Im looking at churches in my local yellow pages and it takes up 2 pages.The only thing that has more pages is physicians with 3 pages.I live three houses down from a church; their parking lot is full today and will be again Wednesday night.They don't seem to be afraid of anybody.They aren't hiding from anybody.The salt truck didn't raise its blade in front of the church, he cleaned off the snow there same as he did the rest of the street.The local school doesn't ask what religion a child is nor do they exclude any child from attending because of their faith.
I think some religious leader like to stir the pot just to get their names in the press and as a power trip.They can stand in front of the congergation and say "See See. Look at me. I was on tv. Now we'll pass the plate. Because Im great. Look at the money I generate.

[layoutshooter]

Why are so many schools taking "Bibles" out of the school libraries but not Korans? Why can't stores, privately owned stores, have Christmas sales? I am not going to argue with you. I see attacks against the Bill of Rights wholesale from this administration. You most likely don't agree, that is your right, just as it is mine to believe what I think. My entire way of life is being taken from me by this president and congress. They are for the most part against everything that I believe in and believe in everything that I abhore. That is my belief. You will NEVER change my mind. If the current resident of the White House wins a second term we will cease to be a "Free" nation. I don't believe in socialism/marxism/baby killing scum. That is what he is. I was born free and will die free. Layoutshooter

[chefdennis]

Bryan, will you please post the "Seperation of church and state clause from the Constitution? Or even the Bill of Rights, or Declaration of Independence... Or just tell me where to find them in this instruments, I have copies of all 3 in my truck, i'll be happy to look them up myself if you can point me in the right direction......But I have to tell you, I have read all 3 of them more then a few times and have NEVER come across what you and alot of others that make the same mistake speak of............

[layoutshooter]

Don't confuse people with the facts, it just upsets them. LOL. Layoutshooter

[Jayman]

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