To compel a man to furnish contributions
of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves,
is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson
DISTRIBUTING TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
UNDER 501 (c) 3 RULES
- Under 501 (c) 3 guidelines, government funds may be distributed
to nonprofit organizations.
- Religious groups may seek government funding under this
plan.
- Services should be available to all and meet a genuine
need.
- Discrimination on the basis of religion is not permitted
when offering services or hiring.
- Uncoerced religious activities independent of the services
provided may be offered.
- Safeguards and monitoring are essential to prevent proselytizing
or religious aggression.
- Groups receiving these funds may not campaign for or
against a candidate for public office.
- Issues may be addressed, but oral or written statements
supporting or opposing a candidate are not permitted
When a religion is good, I conceive it will support itself;
and when it does not support itself, and god does not take
care to support it so that its professors are obliged to call
for help of a civil power, 'tis a sign, I apprehend, of its
being a bad one. Benjamin Franklin
RECIPIENTS OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS
Federal Funding of Faith-based charities:
religious organizations compete for government funds to provide
social services. Religious organizations such and Catholic
Charities and the Salvation Army presently receive federal
funding under 501 (c) 3 guidelines for nonprofit organizations.
Student Vouchers:
some states provide tuition grants funded by taxpayers which
students may use at public or private and parochial schools.
The majority of vouchers (80-95%) are used at religious schools.
In 1973 the Supreme Court ruled that public funds may not
be used to subsidize and advance the religious mission of
sectarian schools.
Charter Schools:
are publicly funded schools run independently, with
little oversight. They are not held to the same standards
as public schools in business and hiring practices, nor in
following government guidelines required of public schools.
GUIDELINES ARE NEEDED:
for fair distribution of funds
The wealthiest schools and religious organizations receive
a 'lions share.'
Established and highly organized religious groups have unfair
advantage over the poor and less powerful. The larger and
more powerful organizations have staff who know how to apply
for funding with speed and facility.
for sorting legitimate organizations from fraudulent
ones
There is no basis for denying funding to any school or organization
claiming religious affiliation. Any group with at least 25
members may qualify.
for oversight of how the funds are actually used once distributed.
DANGER OF ENTANGLEMENT WITH
BIG GOVERNMENT
The size of government is bound to grow as more and more groups
seek their fair share of taxpayer funds. Risk for corruption
increases as more pressure is put on politicians to see that
their constituents receive desired funding. Houses of worship
and other religious groups lose their autonomy as they become
dependent on government support. Religious groups are apt
to forget their traditional role as social critics and guardians
of ethics as they compete for funding. The doors are open
for the entanglement of government and religion.
