http://www.au.org/press/pr040112.htmAmericans United for Separation of Church and State has filed a freedom-of-information request with the Florida Department of Corrections to learn more about the state?s new ?faith-based? prison.
At the behest of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Lawtey Correctional Institute has been converted into a ?faith-based? prison. The new approach was officially kicked off during a Dec. 24 dedication ceremony that featured a Roman Catholic mass and speeches by Bush and several clergy members.
Americans United says the ?faith-based? approach to corrections raises constitutional concerns.
And Towey's comments about which "faith-based" organizations will get funding:
http://www.au.org/press/pr031202.htm?I haven't run into a pagan faith-based group yet, much less a pagan group that cares for the poor! Once you make it clear to any applicant that public money must go to public purposes and can't be used to promote ideology, the fringe groups lose interest. Helping the poor is tough work and only those with loving hearts seem drawn to it.?
?Your reply is problematic for several reasons,? Lynn wrote to Towey. ?Most troublingly, it implies that the Bush administration intends to discriminate against certain faith-groups from the outset. This is a curious stand for you to take, as you have repeatedly insisted that the administration will not play favorites among religious groups under the faith-based initiative.?
And this was too funny:
http://www.au.org/press/pr040106.htmTelevision preacher Pat Robertson is confident that President George W. Bush will win the 2004 election in a ?blowout? because God has told him so.
The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, told the Associated Press that Robertson?s claim was typical for the televangelist, who has spent many years promoting Republican politicians.
?I have a prediction of my own,? Lynn said. ?I predict that Pat Robertson in 2004 will continue to use his multi-million-dollar broadcasting empire to promote George Bush and other Republican candidates. Maybe Pat got a message from Karl Rove and thought it was from God.
[ This Message was edited by: Deborah on 2004-01-17 15:18 ]
