Landrieu bill bans some religion-based funding cuts

[cbayer]

Last edited Sat Jul 13, 2013, 01:42 PM - Edit history (1)

http://www.sunherald.com/2013/07/12/4793659/landrieu-bill-bans-some-religion.html

Published: July 12, 2013

By JANET McCONNAUGHEY — Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS -- U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu has introduced a bill to forbid the federal government from withholding money from programs whose participants engage in voluntary religious activity after a group that requires church attendance lost $30,000.

Landrieu introduced the Freedom to Pray Act on Thursday. The Louisiana Democrat has been working on it for a year since learning from a constituent that the Young Marines program in Bossier Parish might lose federal money because of what Landrieu described as voluntary prayer and "the mention of God in the program."

During that time, the U.S. Department of Justice withdrew a $30,000 grant.

The Young Marines of the Marine Corps League, a national group, describes itself as a youth education and service program for boys and girls from 8 years old through high school, focusing on character building, leadership, and a healthy, drug-free lifestyle, according to its national website. It's the focus of the U.S. Marine Corps' anti-drug program, it said.

The website states that each member must agree to "keep myself clean in mind by attending the church of my faith" and to pledge that "I shall never do anything that would bring disgrace or dishonor upon my God, my Country and its flag, my parents, myself or the Young Marines."


Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2013/07/12/4793659/landrieu-bill-bans-some-religion.html#storylink=cpy

[TheDebbieDee]

1. Mary Landrieu is totally useless! She's one of the reasons I stopped

giving money to the Democratic Party - I didn't want her to get even a fraction of a penny of my money (I could only afford to give $25.00 and $50.00 at a time - I was never a major donor by any stretch of the imagination) for any of her re-election campaigns.

That being said, the federal government should not be providing ANY services thru ANY church or religious organization. Would the group for which Landrieu is drawing up legislation want the federal government to give money to provide services thru a Mosque or Synagogue? Think about it.....

Lastly, if there arises any dispute as to whether recipients of said services have to attend religious activities - this should disqualify the organization from receiving government funds of any type.

[cbayer]

3. I agree.

When I lived in NOLA, I supported her, but her track record has been abysmal.

I think this bill is horrible and for her to try to make the case that this group doesn't clearly cross the line is ludicrous.

They want the money? They need to change their approach - take god and church out of it. If they want some kind of "12 step" approach that includes a "power greater than you", that's fine. It's possible to do that and accommodate everyone, including atheists.

[msongs]

2. ditch the religion groups and the young marines. kids don't need military brainwashing nt

[daleo]

4. Obligatory Star Trek reference

Is she of the Body?