Lawmakers look to increase cooperation between state and church

[Doondoo]

Some state lawmakers want to encourage the government to team more often with religious groups in providing social services.

The Missouri Senate gave initial approval Thursday to legislation requiring the Department of Social Services to designate regional liaisons to faith-based organizations that could help people in need of state assistance.

Sponsoring Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, said his goal is to make religious groups aware they can participate in state programs, such as by providing transportation for low-income people to go to the doctor's office.

“We've had so many years of opposition to their involvement in any kind of assistance or ties to government, I think a lot of them just shy away from it,” Mayer said.

But Sen. Joan Bray, D-St. Louis, said the legislation may cross the line of separation between church and state.

“I don't see any reason to spend state resources to seek out religious organizations,” Bray said.


http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2007/02/24/news_state/311state33faith.txt

[Mnemosyne]

1. Idiots is them. knr n/t

[rodeodance]

2. If they want Relig. org. can provide transportation. What is stopping them

from picking up people?????? Do they want to be paid.

[LiberalFighter]

3. Missouri Constitution -- Article I Section 7

Sec. 7. That no money shall ever be taken from the public treasury,
directly or indirectly, in aid of any church, sect, or de-
nomination of religion, or in aid of any priest, preacher,
minister or teacher thereof, as such; and that no preference
shall be given to nor any discrimination made against any
church, sect or creed of religion, or any form of religious
faith or worship.

[sarcasmo]

4. Thanks to Religion, this is no longer the America we once new.