| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"Larry Mundinger" |
| Date: |
28 Sep 2005 05:59:10 PM |
| Object: |
American Atheists Action Alert - Stop Faith Based Bailout |
American Atheists Action Alert
September 28, 2005
STOP FAITH BASED BAILOUT, GOVERNMENT REBUILDING OF CHURCHES
& VOUCHER SCHEMES FOR
RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS!
http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-28-sep-2005.html
In the wake of the Gulf Coast disaster, legislation has been introduced
that would "reimburse" religion-based groups for their "charitable"
works in the area; use taxpayer funds to rebuild churches and
properties owned by religious groups; and fund religious schools
through an ambitious and unconstitutional voucher scheme.
* A multi-billion dollar appropriations bill S 1765 introduced by Sen.
Mary Landrieu (LA) "Ensures that religious organizations will not be
denied federal assistance in repairing, restoring, reconstructing or
replacing their facilities following damage or destruction of those
facilities as a result of Hurricane Katrina." (Section on "Emergency
Preparedness and Response, Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief and
Economic Recovery Act," Highlights prepared by Office of Sen. Mary L.
Landrieu).
The bill is currently in the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance.
* Ignoring Congress and the courts, the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) has announced that it will be reimbursing churches and
other religious groups that have been operating relief programs
throughout the Gulf Coast area. According to the Washington Post
("FEMA Plans to Reimburse Faith Groups for Aid" by Alan Cooperman and
Elizabeth Williamson, September 27, 2005):
"FEMA officials said it would mark the first time that the government
has made large-scale payments to religious groups for helping to cope
with a domestic natural disaster."
* The Bush Administration is exploiting the devastating consequences of
Katrina and Rita to engage in dangerous "faith-based" social
experimentation by promoting vouchers and other aid to religious
schools. Nearly $500 million dollars in taxpayer money would establish
"the nation's largest school voucher program" (Palm Beach Post
newspaper, 9/28/05). The scheme would provide "scholarships" of up to
$7,500 per family to subsidize student tuition at private and religious
schools. This comes at a time, say critics, when cash-strapped public
schools (which cannot discriminate and open their doors to all
students) are in dire need of funding.
Currently, the biggest voucher experiment is taking place in Florida.
According to the Post and other sources, these church-run schools "have
little academic or financial oversight," and are riddled with other
problems.
The Religious Right is using the Hurricane disasters
to circumvent our Constitution, erode separation of
church & state, and "bail out" religious groups that bragged
about their charitable "good works."
CONGRESS NEEDS TO HEAR FROM YOU NOW!
LET'S STOP THE FAITH-BASED BAILOUT!
-- READ the American Atheist Press Release -- visit
http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-28-sep-2005.html ("Atheist Group
Warns Government Against Rebuilding Churches, Reimbursing Religious
Groups for 'Relief' Services").
-- CONTACT your elected representatives now! We especially urge you to
let your U.S. Senators know that you oppose S. 1765, which amounts to a
public "bailout" for churches and other houses of worship. Visit
http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-28-sep-2005.html
-- TELL CONGRESS that you oppose any "reimbursement" schemes for
religious that compel Americans -- including millions of Atheists,
Freethinkers, Humanists and other nonbelievers -- to "pick up the tab"
for religious groups that were boasting about their "charitable relief
efforts."
-- VISIT OUR TIPS ON CONTACTING CONGRESS at
http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-28-sep-2005.html
-- TALKING POINTS...
* Using government (i.e., public) taxpayer money to reimburse private
religious groups is unfair and unconstitutional.
* In this "emergency," there is little financial accountability. This
invites fraud and fiscal irresponsibility.
* Spending billions of dollars for social experiments such as vouchers
deprives the public schools of badly needed funds. Private religious
schools may discriminate when it comes to admissions and hiring
policies (unlike public schools which educate all youngsters!).
* Religious groups often blend religious proselytizing with their
"relief" and charitable programs. Subsidizing these programs amounts
to government funding of religion.
-- COPY US ON YOUR LETTERS AND E-MAIL to elected representatives, and
we will post them on our web site. Visit
http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-28-sep-2005.html
* SPREAD THIS ACTION ALERT!
(AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights
for Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state; and
addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.)
--
--
Larry Mundinger (aa#451) American Atheists Internet Representative
<irep @ atheists.org> <http://www.atheists.org/>
<http://www.americanatheist.org/> <http://www.atheistviewpoint.tv/>
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