Quote:
When I hear that bibles are being handed out I wonder why the resources necessary to provide the bibles weren't used for more food and water.
Because some people believe that meeting people's spiritual needs is as important as meeting their physical needs.

I guess I'll give my perspective on faith based programs here, though I must admit I'm largely uninformed about how it all actually plays out. On a practical level, I see it making great sense, though clearly government money should be spent on thigs we can all agree need to be done- such has handing out food and water. If Bibles are going to be handed out I think that's fine, but this should be paid for by the organization.

If I were in need and were handed (optionally) a Book of Morman with my food and water, I'd probably accept it and would not be offended. I'd also not be offended for it to be given to those undecided about things of faith (ie. I wouldn't find it threatening to my own ministry).

From a more philosophical point of view, the idea government faith based ministries makes me a little uncomfortable, but not for the same reasons as many of the other posters. If a religious organization accepts money from the government, my fear is that then the government will start regulating what that organization can do. And THAT is about as direct a first ammendment violation as you can get- telling religious organizations how to behave. And yet, once the government starts giving organizations money, how can we not expect it to do exactly that? We certainly don't want the government giving an organization money and then having that church use all of it to purchase bibles and tracts.

I'm guessing this issue has probably been hashed out and I'm just a little uninformed about how the process works, but I am fearful of both extremes when it comes to government giving religious organizations money- to regulate is to infring on our freedom of religion- to not regulate is to be irresponsible.
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-Jeff
Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings; they did it by killing all those who opposed them.