Imagine How Diverse the Disciples Would Have Been if Jesus Hadn't Had to Worry About Federal Funding

“That’s right—compassion. Or as some of you liberal
traitors might call it—wanton discrimination.”

You know, I’m getting really fucking tired of this shit.

In case you didn’t think that there was enough reason to fear the Bushies if you’re a non-Christian, atheist, homosexual, or find yourself otherwise outside the realm of what’s acceptable among the churchly, here’s one more: if you happen to work for a federally funded faith-based organization, they’re now one step away from being able to legally fire your ass if you don’t agree with their religious beliefs.

The House on Wednesday approved a job-training bill that would allow faith-based organizations receiving federal funds to consider a person's religious beliefs in making employment decisions.

Under current law, religious groups that receive federal money for job-training programs must obey civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in hiring or firing.

Passage of the bill, on a largely party-line vote of 224-200, came a day after President Bush told a group of religious leaders that he would attempt to institute the faith-based employment policies through an executive order if Congress did not approve them this year.

So basically, even if the Senate sees fit to not pass this bit cynical and unconstitutional effort to do an end-run around civil rights guarantees, the president will step in and ramrod it through into being, anyway. What a democracy we’ve got! As Pam notes:

If Chimpy gets his hands on the Supreme Court vacancies, we might as well kiss our rights goodbye.

No shit.

In a statement Wednesday supporting the bill, the White House said, "Receipt of federal funds should not be conditioned on a faith-based organization's giving up a part of its religious identity and mission."

First of all, I question the motive of any religious group that has an identity and mission in direct conflict with civil rights guarantees. I also can’t imagine many people who disagree with the ideology of a faith-based group are applying to fill roles where ideological differences matter, but instead probably work in support positions. If a Sikh is comfortable working as an accountant for a Christian outreach group (for example), why should they be allowed to fire him? More importantly, why would they want to? It’s difficult to imagine how this bill is even useful, aside from legalizing any prejudice that can remotely be deemed rooted in religion. And ain’t that a slippery slope to start on.

Secondly, I’m getting pretty motherfucking sick of the word faith being used to disguise what is a strictly religious agenda. There are those of us who have faith (constantly challenged though it may be) in humankind, but not any god(s) to speak of, and we’re not going to get any kind of funding from the faith-based initiative. So let’s start by calling a spade a spade—this is law specifically designed to free religious groups to practice bigotry against those who disagree with them, without losing their federal funding.

Joe Conn, a spokesman for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said the group was very disappointed with the results of Wednesday's vote but nonetheless hopeful.

"We are confident that the Senate will not go along with this, and ultimately it will not become law," Conn said. "President Bush has pushed this faith-based initiative for years now, but he hasn't been able to get it through Congress due to concerns over civil rights."

Come on, Senate Dems, do yer stuff! You gotta remember…the Jews, the queers, the godless heathens—we’re your people, and we’re counting on you.