Stimulus Money to Go to Pretty Much Everything But Religion

Why stop when you're on a roll?

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 Mathew Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, a Washington-based nonprofit organization that works to advance religious freedom.

full article, Fox

First of all why is school renovation and rebuilding part of an "economic" stimulus package? Is that going to stimulate the economy today, tomorrow, or next week. It's kind of a reach, isn't it?

Secondly, my problem isn't with a government bill not promoting a particular religion. My problem is that these things do and have left the door open to such situations as denying funding to schools which support religious groups meeting on campus. Haven't we already stretched the wording of the First Amendment far enough in creating a "wall" between Church and State.

Actual Wording of 1st Amendment:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

No state religion, no prohibition on the free exercise of it. Simple enough?

How about facilities which give equal access to all religious groups? Does an atheist or secular humanist group count as religious?

-Steve K.

White House to Form Faith Advisory Board

Wasn't the NCC useless enough already??

The advisory council is scheduled to be introduced Thursday with the formal announcement of the new White House Office for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, according to a religious leader familiar with the details. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the details have not been announced.
...

The religious leader with knowledge of the advisory group said representation from the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community is also anticipated.

"Certainly, they'll be encouraged to voice their individual voices," the leader said.

full article, Newsvines/AP

Now I'm not sure exactly what an advisory board does, but I can say that this seems likely to be HEAVILY politicized. Is the LGBT community entitled to a token slot in such a committee? I'm sure there are people who can reconcile both being gay and being Christian, but by the same kind of logic, if there are as many gays as there are Orthodox (or vice versa), would the Orthodox be entitled to a slot on this religious all-star team?

Is social service something that can be done by religious ministries without reference to religious dogma? If not, than how can a committee apportion funds to anti-homosexual faiths (err...most of them) as well as to LGBT-friendly groups?

Here's an interesting article I read a few years back about the state of affairs in Canada that came to mind.

This CNN reports on an emerging story where a mother gave birth to octuplets, and the ensuing questions and debates on the religious, economic, moral and social issues that has resulted. At heart is that the single mom had been artificially implanted with the embryos, and had previously 6 other children.

Raising 14 children in an affluent household with 2 parents is a challenge, and that's what is most alarming of this story. The mom stays with her parents, and the grandparents are all ready on record of being against the new additions. Clearly not an ideal situation to raise children, and wish more adults would seriously think of the consequences on the child.

What's also saddening is the quick thought of using abortion to "fix" the problem ... what needs fixing is immature or arguably even mentally imbalanced adults who require very strong counseling, but instead a greedy infertility clinic went ahead with the implantation.

Let us all pray for all involved as this story continues to develop.

Catholic vote video

A new Catholic website intended to inform and unite the Catholic electorate in America had it's debut (abortion-related) ad rejected for Super bowl airing by NBC. Whatever one's views on abortion may be, the profound nature of this video is evident.

Charles Darwin's Marriage...of Science and Religion

from LA Times

He was too honest. He told Emma of his doubts about the veracity of the Bible and of his growing skepticism about religion. Emma said she would marry him anyway. She prized his candor, and she knew he was a good and moral man. But in a letter she sent him soon after their engagement, she told him that she was sad that "our opinions on the most important subject should differ widely."

It turns out that Charles Darwin himself was married to a pious Christian woman, Emma Darwin (news to me, at least). What IS surprising to me though is that evolution theory has caused so many to doubt and reject belief in God. It's almost as if God is rejected if He does not fit in our a priori definitions of Him. Part of me believes if the Orthodox Tradition were available in the West at the time, the emphasis on a God existing beyond understanding would soften the shock of this kind of science. Our sort of mystical theology emphasizes that God stands within and without creation as the author of creation.

Granted, I am not completely embracing the theory of evolution as true. The movement to completely discount any serious study into disproving certain elements of evolution is a travesty. For more information on this, I recommend Ben Stein's recent movie Expelled as well as the Politically Incorrect Guide to Science by Tom Bethel. Whatever the actual means of creation are, we will certainly never show for sure. How can you prove events of the past with 100% certainty? Regardless, the author, mover, and holder of all things is eternally the Lord.

-Steve K.

Ancient church found in Syria

BBC reports that a 1500 year-old church has been unearthed in the ancient city of Palmyra, in central Syria.



You mean ancient churches were built in Synagogue-like fashion and had chancels?? Who knew?!

Pope Benedect XVI Channel on Youtube

I guess "Popetube" was a bad idea for a name.

full report

For the Vatican, it was the latest effort to keep up to speed with the rapidly changing field of communications and new media. For a 2,000-year-old institution known for being very set in its ways, it was something of a revolution.

At the same time, though, the pope warned he wasn't embracing virtual communication without some reservation.

...

But he also warned that virtual socializing had its risks, saying "obsessive" online networking could isolate people from real social interaction and broaden the digital divide by further marginalizing people.

And he urged producers of new media to ensure the content respected human dignity and the "goodness and intimacy of human sexuality."

The Church seems to usually be a step behind every new development of communication. I can understand in as much as not willing to fully jump into a trend before understanding its full ramifications. Inevitably though, every piece of mass media has been shown to be a useful opportunity to evangelize. The real genius then, will be the Evangelist who can jump on the NEXT big trend before it happens.