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I think the answer to this is to tighten up on the definition of 501(c)3. Too many of them are thinly disguised lobbying groups (not saying this is true of the UU group in the OP.)
Which can be done as long as it's done fairly.
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If a group does meet a tightened definition for "public interest group", then I see nothing wrong with them competing for government grants.
My beef with the faith-based initiatives programs has little to do with their 501(c)3 status, and everything to do with government explicitly endorsing a particular faith-based approach to anything, whether that religion is christianity, islam, or wicca.
There is nothing wrong with having a problem with it. We are all entitled to our opinions.
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If a faith-based group is also doing public interest work in a secular fashion - for instance, feeding hungry people - then I'm good with them competing for grants along with non-faith-based groups. But there should be no tax-payer funded program specifically offering grants to faith-based groups.
Without knowing specifics, I really can't add much.
Probably the same as the Baptist church feeding folks who got flooded out in storms
Time was, the church tended to the needs of the community without being reimbursed by the government.
Now , the Baptist in my neighborhood have the money to by 18 wheelers and put full service kitchens in them.
The state or county advertised that the grant money was available. The UU could apply just like anybody else.
As a UU I'd bet the remt money that they will be better stewards of tax money than any congressman would.
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The government is not allowed to discriminate because of a religious affiliation. If one 501c3 group is eligible they all must be.
OK - so I say take them all off the grant list.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jacqueg
I think the answer to this is to tighten up on the definition of 501(c)3. Too many of them are thinly disguised lobbying groups (not saying this is true of the UU group in the OP.)
If a group does meet a tightened definition for "public interest group", then I see nothing wrong with them competing for government grants.
My beef with the faith-based initiatives programs has little to do with their 501(c)3 status, and everything to do with government explicitly endorsing a particular faith-based approach to anything, whether that religion is christianity, islam, or wicca.
If a faith-based group is also doing public interest work in a secular fashion - for instance, feeding hungry people - then I'm good with them competing for grants along with non-faith-based groups. But there should be no tax-payer funded program specifically offering grants to faith-based groups.
There shouldn't be grants for anything right now (except maybe extreme circumstances). Definitely not training for severe storms.
We are smothered in debt.
Last edited by DRob4JC; 11-25-2015 at 01:31 PM..
Reason: spelling
Probably the same as the Baptist church feeding folks who got flooded out in storms
Time was, the church tended to the needs of the community without being reimbursed by the government.
BTW, I opposed it when bush did it and I oppose it now that obama is doing it. Very dangerous ground, IMO.
The entire thread point undercut in the second post.
I am also against faith based initiatives because I feel it was a sneaky way to get government funds to religious organizations. Saying that, I do understand the argument that religious organizations shouldn't be discriminated against when they can provide secular services. It's the establishment clause vs. the free exercise clause.
I don't have a specific problem with the church group getting the grant-I have a real issue with the grant itself.
"Environmental Justice Grant"? What in the F are idiots in DC spending the taxpayer's money on?
Environmental Justice has been an issue, municipalities dumping on poor neighborhoods whether it be locating a sewage treatment plant or garbage dump in their neighborhood but I agree this seems to be a waste of money. I don't think 30,000 accomplishes much and canvasing the poor in the Boca Raton/Delray Beach area, how will they find them.
Plenty of available government information readily available about storms and how to deal with them, maybe the group could take it up themselves without any government assistance.
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