Thursday letters
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The Roanoke Symphony, chained CPI and abortion in today’s letters to the editor.
Pick of the Day: This is not the work of government
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 354-72 to fund H.R. 592, Federal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act of 2013. Reps. Bob Goodlatte, Morgan Griffith and Robert Hurt voted in favor of this bill.
This bill would use tax dollars to directly fund the building, maintenance and repair of “houses of worship,” including churches, synagogues, mosques and temples. Funds would go to untaxed entities that never report or divulge any of their financial assets to the public or the federal government.
Disasters like Hurricane Sandy must not be used to justify creating bad legal precedent. Sandy’s devastation is not a reason to suspend the Constitution. Congress cannot ignore the protections of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
The Supreme Court has specifically stated that our government may not erect religious buildings (Tilton v. Richardson, 1971), and, “If the State may not erect buildings in which religious activities are to take place, it may not maintain such buildings or renovate them when they fall into disrepair.” (Committee For Public Education & Religious Liberty v. Nyquist, 1973.)
Goodlatte, Griffith and Hurt once again spin constitutional law to their advantage, revealing their true colors. Let us hope the Senate will prevail with clearer heads.
CRAIG COKER
VINTON
March 14, 2013 - 6:11 AM
Well said Craig Corker!
Oh, sorry, Craig Coker!
I agree it’s bad legislation, but if the funds are available for all religions, all non-profits, equally, without prejudice, how does it violate the establishment clause?
Is the establishment clause only about discrimination? Or is it about government and any religious group not establishing any kind of relationship?
If you can get federal funds to re-build a church, mosque, synagogue, religious school or day care, why can you not get the same funds to build a church, mosque, synagogue, religious school or day care in the first place?
I agree it’s bad law – federal funds should not be used for private purposes – but I would not view either of the cases you offered as violations of the establishment clause. I also view both as bad law.
#4 Completely correct. If the law says that you can’t give alcohol to teenagers, the solution is not to give them all the same amount.
#4 Let me think…..hm, hm (final Jeapordy music)….because that would be to establish?
Hope you wagered a lot on that answer!