Discrimination against Christians in TNT
October 18th, 2008 by Republican By DefaultThe Tacoma News Tribune has a one-sided article about the Bush Administration’s decision to give a $1.5 million grant to Federal Way based World Vision to help fund it’s anti-gang program.
The article makes no effort to provide any type of balance. It would have been very simple to provide a link to the actual decision on the Justice Department Web site, but they didn’t even do that. They simply quoted a heavily biased article from the leftist New York Times News Service
Maybe a quote of the constitution would help understand the issue:
“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.”
So, a) this does not ‘respect an establishment of religion’ since World Vision itself is not a religion but rather hires people of faith from numerous churches, denominations and groups; and b) withholding money from or requiring them to change their hiring practices would infringe upon their freedom to individually practice their religion.
This money goes to kids, not the establishment of a religion.
This attack is typical of anti-Christian bias from liberals in America. They’ve been trying to undermine Christianity for decades, often trying to use liberal judges to undermine laws and policies that have existed in this country for over 200 years.
You can bet that if this was an Islamic organization the NYT would have supported it.
October 18th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
According to the NYT article, the $1.5 money is “for salaries of staff members running a program that helps ‘at-risk youth’ avoid gangs” — not to kids.
Granted, without the folks running the programs there wouldn’t be programs for at-risk youth, but its not quite the same as if the federal government provided funds for things needed to help at-risk youth (computers, activity centers, etc) and left funds for salaries for those running to programs to be raised by the organization.
But with such a small amount of money, this non-Christian liberal has no problem with World Vision getting the grant, however they choose to use it. They are a respected organization in their field and one which my non-Christian, liberal parents have donated to numerous times.
October 18th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I hate it when Christians cry discrimination, there is not discrimination against Christians in this country, saying that it’s typical is ridiculous. I don’t know why I read your blog, I guess just to read what crazy stuff your going to say next. Did you see Obama drew 100,000 in St Louis today, still think your guys going to win?
October 19th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Maggie, I think it’s great that you have the freedom to voice your enthusiasm for a political candidate.
Do you know that Christian ministers do not have that freedom to do the same at the pulpit in their church?
October 19th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
The idea of ‘non-dicriminatory’ hiring practices placing a substantial burden on a faith-based group is a bit of a stretch for me. Granted, all hiring processes are inherently discriminatory, to the most qualified goes the job. But in this case, the most qualified would be those most interested and able to reach out to youth and discourage participation in gang activity. I don’t believe one’s religious beliefs have anything at all to do with that.
Why can’t a secular individual be able to participate with Christians in efforts to eliminate gang violence? I’ll bet alot of the gang members this group aims to reach out to aren’t Christians, so why should they be anymore worth the time of this group then the people they opt not to hire. I say hire and participate with people who don’t share your beliefs. The point of laws like this are to break down barriers and eliminate discrimination. Jesus supposedly made his life’s work reaching out to those who were not like him, why shouldn’t Christians be any different?
October 19th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
@mofo
Christian ministers do have that right, endorsement of a political candidate in not a prosecutable offense. Though in public endorsement of a canditate from the pulpit, the minister nullifies any tax breaks associated with a religious organization. I believe ministers should preach the values of their religion, not the politics of it. People are smart enough to vote on their values without an explicit endorsement made by their church. That kind of talk from the pulpit, in my opinion, flirts with dictating political affiliation and choice to members of the congregation.
October 20th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity. –Augustine.
I can understand that some people think that government is more efficient than private organization in matters of social and economic importance. I don’t happen to agree. Governmental agencies are staffed by people that are just as petty and just as likely to abuse the system as people that staff a private agency.
World Vision has as its basis for unity a Bible based world-view, a well defined system of ethics to guide action.
Governmental agencies offer an alternative approach. I recently read a want ad for employment with Pierce County. The job listing for a case worker/probation officer went so far as to say that ex-felons with street experience would be considered for employment. Beyond that, the application form was the most intrusive invasion of privacy that I have ever read. See for yourself online.
If Christian charity focuses its mental and physical energies on doing things right, efficiency; and encouraging effective change, doing the right thing, then I’m all for it.