- Joined
- Jan 2, 2002
- Messages
- 4,731
ATHEISTS MOVE TO STOP MUNICIPAL SUBSIDIES FOR CHRUCH
"FACADE IMPROVEMENT" SCHEME, CALL FOR RETURN OF MONEY
American Atheists and a local plaintiff have filed suit against a
Detroit, Michigan program that gave over $690,000 in public money to
churches for "facade improvement" and other clean-up projects before
the recent Super Bowl.
Seven municipal grants were made to the Central United Methodist
Church and the Second Baptist Church through a city project, the Lower
Woodward Facade Improvement Program in anticipation of the Feb. 5,
2006 NFL championship. The effort was part of a campaign to encourage
the creation of new businesses, loft apartments and streetscapes
according to a spokesperson for the Economic Growth Corporation, the
agency in charge of the WIPP. News reports of the project mentioned
private businesses such as hotels, coffee shops and land developers as
recipients of the aid, but not churches or other religious groups.
The lawsuit charges that the grants violated the First Amendment of
the U.S. Constitution, and Article 1 of the Michigan Constitution
which stipulates "no money shall be drawn from the treasury for the
benefit of religious societies."
According to attorney Robert Bruno who represents the organization and
plaintiff Steven West, the funds given to the churches came from a
combination of federal, state and local taxes.
"The grants to the two churches... constitute erection and support of
places of religious worship," Bruno wrote in the pleading filed in the
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
The suit calls for a declaratory judgment stating that the grants
violate the federal and state constitutions; preliminary injunctions
against similar payments; and that the City "use all deliberate speed
to recover and recoup from the two churches all funds paid..."
Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists, said the Detroit
program is part of a nationwide trend where religious and political
leaders are scrambling to find ways of diverting tax money to private,
faith-based groups.
"We're seeing evidence of this all over the country," said Johnson.
"The argument is that if tax money is used to benefit private
businesses or home-owners, giving public funds to churches or other
religious groups is then permissible."
Johnson noted that the Detroit program is constitutional as long as
public funds are not used to promote religion.
"Arguing that the money somehow does not benefit the religious mission
of churches or is used only for decorative improvement is
disingenuous," said Johnson. "Whatever the excuse, programs like this
amount to a 'religion tax' on all Americans including millions of
Atheists, Freethinkers and other non-believers."
Johnson added that the Detroit program to divert money to churches is
part of a larger trend fueled by President Bush's federal faith-based
initiative. So far, the Bush scheme has diverted over $1.6 billion in
public money to churches and other religious groups to subsidize a
range of social welfare programs that are often infused with heavy
religious content.
"All of this is blurring the line in the issue over state-church
separation," warned Johnson. "Religious groups and politicians know
that the First Amendment prohibits the use of tax money to benefit
sectarian groups. So, they're looking for ways around the
constitution, and come up with disingenuous claims like the Detroit
case. The money is 'only for facade improvement.' "
"The effect, though, is to erode state-church separation, and make all
Americans pay for programs that benefit organized religion."
The Blaine Amendment Connection
The Detroit case has national implications by challenging a growing
trend -- diversion of public money to faith-based groups.
It will also likely fuel the expanding debate over the so-called
"Blaine Amendments," provisions found in over three-dozen state
constitutions that prohibit the use of tax revenue to benefit any
religious sect. Named after former U.S. Speaker of the House James
Blaine, the statutes give robust protection to state-church
separation. Advocacy organizations like the Beckett Fund for
Religious Liberty have been waging a low-profile campaign to repeal
the amendments which, they argue, are the result of 19th century
anti-Catholic animus. The real reason, however, may be that the
Blaine Amendments are more explicit than the First Amendment of the
U.S. Constitution in banning the use of public funds to benefit
religious sects. Michigan's First Amendment is a case in point.
For further information:
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/faithlob.htm
(Archive of articles on the Faith-based initiative.)
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/vouch13.htm
("Religious groups quietly target obscure state constitution
provision," 2/22/03 -- background on the Blaine Amendments.)
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/vouch11.htm
("As court prepares ruling in Cleveland voucher case, gov't aid to
religious schools is 'done deal,' " 6/22/02 -- Blaine Amendment
connection).
**
AMERICAN ATHEISTS ACTION ALERT
April 25, 2006
http://www.atheists.org/action
CHARLIE SHEEN INSULTS ATHEISTS -- TELLS
CBS ENTERTAINMENTMENT SHOW, "ANYBODY THAT DOESN'T BELIEVE IN GOD
HASN'T LOOKED INTO THE EYES OF THEIR CHILD."
http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-25-apr-2006.html
Popular film and television star CHARLIE SHEEN insulted Atheists,
Freethinkers, Humanists and other nonbelievers during a recent
interview carried by the popular "Entertainment Tonight" ("ET")
program earlier this week.
Letters and e-mails to the CBS/Paramount network are needed now to ask
that Mr. Sheen retract his statement that "Anybody that (sic) doesn't
believe in God hasn't looked into the eyes of their child."
The comment was made during an interview with ET's Mark Steins during
a discussion of Sheen's divorce proceeding with estranged wife Denise
Richards. It is currently posted at
http://et.tv.yahoo.com/celebrities/14539. Mr. Sheen described court
papers filed by Ms. Richards as "baseless," and told the audience
about his two small children:
"They represent the real gifts and treasures of this life ...
Anybody that doesn't believe in God hasn't looked into the eyes of
their child."
While we appreciate Mr. Sheen's stressful position in the midst of an
emotional and acrimonious divorce proceeding, this does not excuse
making a reckless and unsubstantiated statement which slurs millions
of Americans during a popular television show. Imagine if he made a
similar comment about any other group -- Jews, Blacks, Roman
Catholics! This remark is unfair, and de-values the deep appreciation
which many loving, caring Atheist and other non-believer parents feel
for their children.
We need to ask Mr. Sheen to apologize for this ill-tempered statement!
WHAT YOU CAN DO...
* AMERICAN ATHEISTS urges that letters be sent to Mr. Sheen and Leslie
Moonves, the President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS Corporation
which controls the network and production company for
"ET"/"Entertainment Tonight. Send letters to:
Leslie Moonves,
51 West 52nd. Street
New York, NY 10019-6188
Letters should also be sent to Mr. Sheen:
Mr. Charlie Sheen
C/0 "Two and a Half Men"
Warner Bros. Television
300 Television Plaza
Building 136, Room 226
Burbank, CA. 91522
Finally, E-mail may be sent to the "ET" program at:
et@...
* ALL of your communications about this issue should be polite and
courteous! Be sure to include the quote made by Mr. Sheen, and ask
for a reply to your letter! Be sure to sign your letters (provide a
full name on your E-mails), complete with an address where you may be
reached.
* Spread this Action Alert! Visit
http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-25-apr-2006.html for a handy
tool.
"FACADE IMPROVEMENT" SCHEME, CALL FOR RETURN OF MONEY
American Atheists and a local plaintiff have filed suit against a
Detroit, Michigan program that gave over $690,000 in public money to
churches for "facade improvement" and other clean-up projects before
the recent Super Bowl.
Seven municipal grants were made to the Central United Methodist
Church and the Second Baptist Church through a city project, the Lower
Woodward Facade Improvement Program in anticipation of the Feb. 5,
2006 NFL championship. The effort was part of a campaign to encourage
the creation of new businesses, loft apartments and streetscapes
according to a spokesperson for the Economic Growth Corporation, the
agency in charge of the WIPP. News reports of the project mentioned
private businesses such as hotels, coffee shops and land developers as
recipients of the aid, but not churches or other religious groups.
The lawsuit charges that the grants violated the First Amendment of
the U.S. Constitution, and Article 1 of the Michigan Constitution
which stipulates "no money shall be drawn from the treasury for the
benefit of religious societies."
According to attorney Robert Bruno who represents the organization and
plaintiff Steven West, the funds given to the churches came from a
combination of federal, state and local taxes.
"The grants to the two churches... constitute erection and support of
places of religious worship," Bruno wrote in the pleading filed in the
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
The suit calls for a declaratory judgment stating that the grants
violate the federal and state constitutions; preliminary injunctions
against similar payments; and that the City "use all deliberate speed
to recover and recoup from the two churches all funds paid..."
Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists, said the Detroit
program is part of a nationwide trend where religious and political
leaders are scrambling to find ways of diverting tax money to private,
faith-based groups.
"We're seeing evidence of this all over the country," said Johnson.
"The argument is that if tax money is used to benefit private
businesses or home-owners, giving public funds to churches or other
religious groups is then permissible."
Johnson noted that the Detroit program is constitutional as long as
public funds are not used to promote religion.
"Arguing that the money somehow does not benefit the religious mission
of churches or is used only for decorative improvement is
disingenuous," said Johnson. "Whatever the excuse, programs like this
amount to a 'religion tax' on all Americans including millions of
Atheists, Freethinkers and other non-believers."
Johnson added that the Detroit program to divert money to churches is
part of a larger trend fueled by President Bush's federal faith-based
initiative. So far, the Bush scheme has diverted over $1.6 billion in
public money to churches and other religious groups to subsidize a
range of social welfare programs that are often infused with heavy
religious content.
"All of this is blurring the line in the issue over state-church
separation," warned Johnson. "Religious groups and politicians know
that the First Amendment prohibits the use of tax money to benefit
sectarian groups. So, they're looking for ways around the
constitution, and come up with disingenuous claims like the Detroit
case. The money is 'only for facade improvement.' "
"The effect, though, is to erode state-church separation, and make all
Americans pay for programs that benefit organized religion."
The Blaine Amendment Connection
The Detroit case has national implications by challenging a growing
trend -- diversion of public money to faith-based groups.
It will also likely fuel the expanding debate over the so-called
"Blaine Amendments," provisions found in over three-dozen state
constitutions that prohibit the use of tax revenue to benefit any
religious sect. Named after former U.S. Speaker of the House James
Blaine, the statutes give robust protection to state-church
separation. Advocacy organizations like the Beckett Fund for
Religious Liberty have been waging a low-profile campaign to repeal
the amendments which, they argue, are the result of 19th century
anti-Catholic animus. The real reason, however, may be that the
Blaine Amendments are more explicit than the First Amendment of the
U.S. Constitution in banning the use of public funds to benefit
religious sects. Michigan's First Amendment is a case in point.
For further information:
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/faithlob.htm
(Archive of articles on the Faith-based initiative.)
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/vouch13.htm
("Religious groups quietly target obscure state constitution
provision," 2/22/03 -- background on the Blaine Amendments.)
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/vouch11.htm
("As court prepares ruling in Cleveland voucher case, gov't aid to
religious schools is 'done deal,' " 6/22/02 -- Blaine Amendment
connection).
**
AMERICAN ATHEISTS ACTION ALERT
April 25, 2006
http://www.atheists.org/action
CHARLIE SHEEN INSULTS ATHEISTS -- TELLS
CBS ENTERTAINMENTMENT SHOW, "ANYBODY THAT DOESN'T BELIEVE IN GOD
HASN'T LOOKED INTO THE EYES OF THEIR CHILD."
http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-25-apr-2006.html
Popular film and television star CHARLIE SHEEN insulted Atheists,
Freethinkers, Humanists and other nonbelievers during a recent
interview carried by the popular "Entertainment Tonight" ("ET")
program earlier this week.
Letters and e-mails to the CBS/Paramount network are needed now to ask
that Mr. Sheen retract his statement that "Anybody that (sic) doesn't
believe in God hasn't looked into the eyes of their child."
The comment was made during an interview with ET's Mark Steins during
a discussion of Sheen's divorce proceeding with estranged wife Denise
Richards. It is currently posted at
http://et.tv.yahoo.com/celebrities/14539. Mr. Sheen described court
papers filed by Ms. Richards as "baseless," and told the audience
about his two small children:
"They represent the real gifts and treasures of this life ...
Anybody that doesn't believe in God hasn't looked into the eyes of
their child."
While we appreciate Mr. Sheen's stressful position in the midst of an
emotional and acrimonious divorce proceeding, this does not excuse
making a reckless and unsubstantiated statement which slurs millions
of Americans during a popular television show. Imagine if he made a
similar comment about any other group -- Jews, Blacks, Roman
Catholics! This remark is unfair, and de-values the deep appreciation
which many loving, caring Atheist and other non-believer parents feel
for their children.
We need to ask Mr. Sheen to apologize for this ill-tempered statement!
WHAT YOU CAN DO...
* AMERICAN ATHEISTS urges that letters be sent to Mr. Sheen and Leslie
Moonves, the President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS Corporation
which controls the network and production company for
"ET"/"Entertainment Tonight. Send letters to:
Leslie Moonves,
51 West 52nd. Street
New York, NY 10019-6188
Letters should also be sent to Mr. Sheen:
Mr. Charlie Sheen
C/0 "Two and a Half Men"
Warner Bros. Television
300 Television Plaza
Building 136, Room 226
Burbank, CA. 91522
Finally, E-mail may be sent to the "ET" program at:
et@...
* ALL of your communications about this issue should be polite and
courteous! Be sure to include the quote made by Mr. Sheen, and ask
for a reply to your letter! Be sure to sign your letters (provide a
full name on your E-mails), complete with an address where you may be
reached.
* Spread this Action Alert! Visit
http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-25-apr-2006.html for a handy
tool.
