Bush, Religion, Jw's

by joannadandy 14 Replies latest social current

• 

  joannadandy

  Now this is not a Bush bashing thread, I think everyone here pretty much knows how I feel about the man, but there is quite a bit of controversy surrounding our president--just today even.

  He is thinking of funding church groups that do volunteer work. He was visiting a church in Louisana today that has had a childcare program since 1941. He would like to see federal funds given to such organizations even if they are run by a church.

  It a messy topic and full of all kinds of "Seperation of Church and State" legal rhetoric.

  I am not discussing that.

  Say hypothetically something like this goes through. How does this effect JW's?

  It sort of shoots their whole, "The governement hates us" woe is us crap they always spout.

  Do you think they might actually become more community oriented just to get their hands on some money? Or would their pride never allow that?

  Just curious if anyone else had any thought on this subject.
• 

  czarofmischief

  Before the UN thing, I would have been absolutely certain that they would NEVER touch that money.

  Now, it seems that money and prestige are all that matter to them - yeah, they'll take it if they can possibly get it.

  Federally funded door to door work? I bet they try to get a grant for it... damn their encrusted hides...

  CZAR
• 

  Badger

  Czar:

  Still using volunteer Rand and File types, and getting their door-to-door and shepherding work referred to as "Drug treatment programs" and "Couples therapy" and the like.
• 

  Reborn2002

  Personally, in my opinion, George W. Bush and his faith-based initiatives disgust me.

  He allows his personal belief in Jeezus Khrist to influence his political actions, which thereby affect others who are not Christian. He states unequivocally that God is with the United States of America and the war on Iraq is just. Previously, he supported a ban on stem-cell research because of his Christian views. Currently, he is pushing money through Congress for the church as Joanna mentioned and he is also pushing over a billion through to encourage marriage among youth.

  His visit to the grave of Martin Luther King is a publicity stunt no more disgusting than his gratuitious landing on the aircraft carrier in military uniform despite never serving (unless you count going AWOL in the Texas Air National Guard), and his granting money for marriage is designed to court neo-conservative right wingers who oppose abortion (despite it's legality since Roe v Wade) and gay unions, or individuals living together without marriage. Convenient that he embraces such legislation in an election year.

  I hate that man. I hate everything he stands for. That is no secret. Just my 2 cents.

  Thanks for letting me vent.
• 

  elamona

  Do not think gov should be in the business of subsidizing any religious activity. But I also think that gov should not restrict or interfer with any religious activity either, unless it is a clear danger to others.
• 

  Yerusalyim

  Do not think gov should be in the business of subsidizing any religious activity. But I also think that gov should not restrict or interfer with any religious activity either, unless it is a clear danger to others.

  I don't think many of these programs can be seen as subsidizing religions...

  In my opinion private groups generally do better at meeting the kinds of needs this program touches than can the government.

  Overall, I'm still undecided... on the merits.

  The Dubs would take the money and cite the parable of the stewart who used money to buy friends.

  "Use worldy wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings" (Luke 16:9) And we see in our day the fulfillment of this prophecy. The friends using the wealth of this wicked world so as to be welcomed into eternal dwellings when this system of things ends any day now, right around the corner, all the signs point to it happening sooner or later.
• 

  lisaBObeesa

  It sort of shoots their whole, "The governement hates us" woe is us crap they always spout

  This is a really interesting point. I had not thought of this.

  Do you think they might actually become more community oriented just to get their hands on some money? Or would their pride never allow that?

  As mentioned earlier, if they will become an NGO for the UN to get a library card ( yeah right, library card) then they will do what it takes to get some government money. They need to start thinking outside the box anyway because they are loosing members/$$/free labor in the US, right?

  I hope this idea does not become reality. It will be one big mess. We can only hope the Supreme Court see this and strikes it down if it happens!
• 

  Simon

  The dubs already claim charitable status and tax breaks because of "supposed" community service. They would continue doing this and liekly expand it. No doubt the Ministry School would be labelled an education service.

  The problem with many of these religious based efforts is that they judge and exclude people that they don't like. It is an excuse for the state to shirk it's obligations and for the religious-right to be 'rewarded' for their backing.
• 

  lisaBObeesa

  It is an excuse for the state to shirk it's obligations and for the religious-right to be 'rewarded' for their backing.

  *standing and clapping* Tell it, brother!!!!
• 

  Pleasuredome

  well said reborn.

  yeru, i think you're right in what you say. i think those hybrid GB members and slimey directors will be searching through their bibles to find some way to justify recieving that money.