Weakening Religion
Through Charitable Choice
Paul Murray
From: "Paul Murray"
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Subject: Faith Based Charities
Date: Saturday, February 03, 2001 1:52 AM
You know, the faith-based-charities thing may have the opposite effect and weaken Christianity in the 'States. This may happen when it comes time for the government to decide what counts as legitimate christen faith.
Perhaps the reason that Christianity is so strong in the states is that the government leaves it alone. You can believe anything you want. Sure the Baptists disagree with the Methodists, but so what? There's nothing at stake. So the various groups can get along amicably, and hold huge combined rallies.
Once the government starts making doctrinal rules (which is what it will have to do to determine who qualifies), the Christians will fall to squabbling to disqualify each other from a slice of the government pie. Who decides what counts as "faith based"? I wonder if black church organisations (for instance) will get their fair share. I wonder what they will do about it if they perceive themselves to be not getting it.
Remember that all Christians in existence sees themselves as being victimised by "the world" and the devil. Lets see them turn some of that paranoia on each other as they scramble for funding. I look forward to seeing major rifts as christen unity in the US becomes a thing of the past.
Let's not forget that the US government is more powerful than the US church. The church may yet regret drawing its attention.
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