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| Americans United for Separation of
Church and State calls for action on "Charitable Choice"
proposal in House of Representatives
Alert Date: July 3, 2001
[published here on 7-7-01]
Action: Call your Representative and urge him or her to
oppose H.R. 7, the Community Solutions Act, if it contains so-called
"Charitable Choice." Contact your Representative today:
Capitol Switchboard: 202/224-3121 House Website: http://www.house.gov
Action Plan: In the coming weeks, the U.S. House of
Representatives will be voting on the "Charitable Choice"
expansion bill, H.R. 7, the Community Solutions Act. "Charitable
Choice" would explicitly allow federally funded employment
discrimination, lead to the proselytization of people seeking aid, and
authorize new lawsuits against the government by religious organizations
denied federal funding. It is an unnecessary and unconstitutional
proposal that would harm religious liberty, turn back the clock on civil
rights and burden local government with lawsuits.
However, H.R. 7 is more than "Charitable Choice." Aside from
the "Charitable Choice" section, H.R. 7 is a good tax package
that will be a bipartisan accomplishment for Congress and the President.
This act contains a combination of provisions that would provide tax
incentives to increase charitable giving, yet it will also extend
federal funding opportunities for religious congregations that wish to
mix social service with religious activity, unconstitutionally blurring
the line between separation of church and state.
The message to your Representative in Congress should be that you, as a
constituent, oppose H.R. 7''s "Charitable Choice" provision
because:
 | 78% of Americans oppose allowing government funded
religious groups to only hire people of the same faith (Pew Forum on
Religion and Public Life poll, conducted among 2,041 adults
including an over sample of African Americans, March 5-18. Margin of
error equals plus or minus 2.5 points) Trouble is, this is the main
plank of the president''s "Charitable Choice" proposal. |
| "Charitable Choice" is highly
controversial and divisive -- so troublesome that the Senate bill
(S. 592) did not include the "Charitable Choice" section.
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| "Charitable Choice" erodes regulatory
protections in federally funded programs because houses of worship
are exempt from certain accreditation standards, safety standards,
licensing laws, and other regulatory mechanisms that protect
beneficiaries and ensure quality service delivery.
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| The "Charitable Choice" provisions of
H.R. 7 would explicitly allow federally funded employment
discrimination, lead to the proselytization of people seeking aid,
and authorize new lawsuits against the government by religious
organizations denied federal funding. It is an unnecessary and
unconstitutional proposal that would harm religious liberty, turn
back the clock on civil rights and burden local government with
lawsuits. |
For information on H.R. 7, follow this link http://www.au.org/charchoice107.htm
For more information on "Charitable Choice,"
visit our website at http://www.au.org
Contact your Representative today: Capitol Switchboard: 202/224-3121
House Website: http://www.house.gov |
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from
BECOMING NEIGHBORS:
An Invitation
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A Witherspoon conference
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September 16 - 19, 2007
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