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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTaking Another Look at FEMA Aid To Houses Of Worship
Since the Forward last weighed in on the contentious issue of whether federal money should go directly to houses of worship damaged by Hurricane Sandy, several things have happened.
The House of Representatives handily passed an amendment that would classify synagogues, churches, etc., as private not-for-profit institutions eligible for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, better known as FEMA. At the time of the Forwards initial reaction that the aid, while understandably needed, could dangerously weaken the cherished boundary between religion and state Jewish groups were simply seeking a specific change in the federal regulation prohibiting FEMA from directly funding houses of worship.
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And that makes us realize what a sticky wicket this bill invites. As the historian Jonathan Sarna recently told our Seth Berkman, if the bill becomes law, FEMA will be in a position to decide just what constitutes a house of worship. A private residence used by Chabad? A storefront chapel established only months before the storm struck last October?
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It may be that in the end, only the federal government has the means to truly help. But we find it ironic that Republicans who rail against the reach of big government so blithely ignore the pitfalls of inviting FEMA into the pews. And we find it troubling that Democrats who have benefited from the historic separation of religion and state are rushing to abandon that commitment. Congress should publicly debate this issue before taking a step we may one day regret.
Read more: http://forward.com/articles/172497/taking-another-look-at-fema-aid/#ixzz2MyH3OyqI
bluedigger
(17,087 posts)It makes a lot more sense for the IRS to determine what is a religious organization, after all.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)Religious organizations were initially denied access to funds, then the House passed the legislation which would permit it.
Part of their reasoning was that these organizations provided many of the relief services that were critical just after the storm and that, even before the storm, they were used for things that were not attached to the religious part of the building, like day care or senior citizen programs.
I have been fairly ambivalent about it - both worried about the 1st amendment issues and concerned about denying them access to funds just because they are religiously affiliated.
Will be interesting to see what the senate does.