General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRW spinning a story from Florida, here are some facts:
The story:
Florida official tells Christian charity to choose between Jesus and cheese
A Florida ministry that feeds the poor said a state agriculture department official told them they would not be allowed to receive USDA food unless they removed portraits of Christ, the Ten Commandments, a banner that read Jesus is Lord and stopping giving Bibles to the needy.
They told us they could no longer allow us to have any religious information where the USDA food is going to be, said Kay Daly, executive director of the Christian Service Center.
....
Weve got pictures of Christ on more than one wall, she said. Its very clear we are not social services. We are a Christian ministry.
So why did the government have an issue with the religious groups religious decorations?
We are a Christian ministry, she said. Our purpose is to help people in need and to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are going to pray with them. We are going to offer them a Bible. We are going to counsel them in Christian help. We are going to use our chapel.
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/09/09/usda-tells-christian-charity-to-kick-jesus-to-curb/?intcmp=trending
A few things to note. One is that this was a Florida state official. The other thing is (and absent from the story):
Executive Order -- Fundamental Principles and Policymaking Criteria for Partnerships with Faith-Based and Other Neighborhood Organizations
(g) Faith-based organizations should be eligible to compete for Federal financial assistance used to support social service programs and to participate fully in the social service programs supported with Federal financial assistance without impairing their independence, autonomy, expression outside the programs in question, or religious character. Accordingly, a faith-based organization that applies for, or participates in, a social service program supported with Federal financial assistance may retain its independence and may continue to carry out its mission, including the definition, development, practice, and expression of its religious beliefs, provided that it does not use direct Federal financial assistance that it receives (including through a prime award or sub-award) to support or engage in any explicitly religious activities (including activities that involve overt religious content such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization), or in any other manner prohibited by law. Among other things, faith-based organizations that receive Federal financial assistance may use their facilities to provide social services supported with Federal financial assistance, without removing or altering religious art, icons, scriptures, or other symbols from these facilities. In addition, a faith-based organization that applies for, or participates in, a social service program supported with Federal financial assistance may retain religious terms in its name, select its board members on a religious basis, and include religious references in its organizations mission statements and other chartering or governing documents.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/11/17/executive-order-fundamental-principles-and-policymaking-criteria-partner
So it is not their decorations and such, and many other religious organizations follow the law. It is the whole Our purpose is to help people in need and to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are going to pray with them. We are going to offer them a Bible. We are going to counsel them in Christian help. We are going to use our chapel.
longship
(40,416 posts)At least cheeses are something real and enjoyable and nutritious.
Jesus, not so much. Not very filling, either.
xfundy
(5,105 posts)Christians are being persecuted! The poor things aren't even allowed to pay taxes!