Written by Don Byrd
Despite opposition from civil and religious liberty groups including the Baptist Joint Committee, the U.S. House last month approved a bill that allows public funding of churches through FEMA grants following natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy. Today, a NYTimes editorial makes the case against the bill and urges the Senate not to pass it on to the President.
Supreme Court rulings interpreting the First Amendment’s prohibition against establishment of religion have long barred the direct use of tax money to build, repair or maintain buildings devoted to religious services or other religious activities.
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The First Amendment does not allow a Hurricane Sandy exception to pay for the rebuilding of damaged houses of worship. The Senate should let the bill die.
Indeed.
