Congress shall make no law: Obama to restrict religious freedoms of non-profits
July 3, 2008
We recently posted an article by Tom Del Becarro from his Political Vanguard site on “What if Obama Wins?” As for faith-based organizations providing federally-financed social services Sen. Obama goes medieval. According to Greg Baylor, Obama will “require the federal government’s FBO partners to follow Title VII and other federal anti-discrimination requirements. But the details of his plan are different than this. Title VII forbids religious job discrimination by secular organizations but includes an exemption so that faith-based organizations can make employment decisions that reflect their religious commitments. This general federal freedom is restricted in some federal programs, and some state and local governments also restrict it. But the general federal rule is that FBOs receiving federal funds retain their religious staffing freedom.” Read more
Will Evangelicals throw Jesus out to get a date with power?
June 7, 2008
This interesting article takes a look at the recent Evangelical Manifesto announced last month, and asks some tough questions. “In its rush to flee its right-wing captivity and be the new popular girl in town with American political party scene, will Evangelicals abandon policy stances that aren’t popular with secular elites of either party? Read more
School Prayer…Again (Illinois)
May 10, 2008
The question of prayer in public schools is one controversy that seems never to go away. In 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a generic prayer written by New York authorities for use in public-school classrooms represented an unconstitutional establishment of religion. The following year, the Court held that Bible readings and the praying of the Lord’s Prayer in public schools were also unconstitutional. Read more
Excellent article on religion and political speech
May 1, 2008
My
friend, James Skillen, president of the Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) recently appeared on a panel produced by the Federalist Society to discuss religion and the public square. The article cited here is a summary of his presentation and interaction with the panel. Below are some critical excerpts that really help improve, I think, the ongoing discussion about religion in the public square. Read more
Is the Economic Crisis a moral issue?
April 13, 2008
Supposedly there are moral issues (such as abortion and other family-related concerns) and then everything else (taxes, trade, environment, and so on). But this is to misunderstand the responsibilities of government. While there are diverse moral languages appropriate to families, schools, sports, and business, for example, the moral language fitting for government and politics speaks of justice and injustice.
In that respect, almost everything associated with the current economic crisis is a matter of justice and injustice and is therefore a moral issue. Government is active in the economy in the way it sets tax policies, allows banks to offer mortgages to people who can afford little or no down payment, and is now sending money to taxpayers to try to stimulate a faltering economy even though the money it distributes is borrowed (as debt) from future taxpayers.
The economic crisis that government is now trying to solve or alleviate, in other words, is not an innocent accident. It is the fruit of a great deal of injustice–the injustice of government piling up public debt and encouraging individuals, businesses, and financial institutions to do the same.
One small window on our multi-dimensional predicament has been opened by John Plender (Financial Times, 4/8/08, p.7). Income inequality in the U.S. today, writes Plender, “is at its highest since that most doom-laden of years: 1929.” Back then financial institutions kept multiplying risk and leveraging debt until the system collapsed and the banks failed, causing the Great Depression. That was also a time when the gap between the richest and poorest was extreme, though not as extreme as today. The gap now is not simply a consequence of technological innovation, globalization, and healthy returns on sound investments. It is due significantly to tax policies, overleveraged debt, and weak oversight. Read more
5th Annual Diversity Spring Festival (Baisakhi Mela), Apr 26
April 4, 2008
The 5th Annual Diversity Spring Festival will be held on Saturday April 26 at the Todos Santos Park Plaza in downtown Concord from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The festival is sponosred by the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County, Therapeutic Residential Services, and the Federation of Inod-American Association of Northern California.
Admission is free for a colorful day of cultural and ethnic performances, free food, beverages, and displays. For more information or to participate contact: Dr. Harmesh Kumar 925-356-0122; Raj Popli 925-426-9160; Will McGarvey 925-597-9797; or Thomas Bonacci 925-787-9279.
Volunteers to assist local schools on Beautiful Day, Apr 19-20
March 20, 2008
As part of an ongoing program of community service following its iLent Project, pastors and congregations of 20+ Diablo Valley churches involved in the nascent “Church Without Shoes” movement are organizing a BEAUTIFUL DAY for the weekend of April 19.
Over the weekend teams of volunteers will help local elementary schools with landscape, painting, repaving, light construction, electrical, and supply projects. For more information on how you or your congregation can pitch in, contact The Compassion Task Force: Kurt Holm; Layne Kilbreath; Ron Musch; or Tom Patitucci
Habitat For Humanity to hold Earth Day Build-A-Thon, Apr 19-22
March 11, 2008
Sign up now for Habaitat for Humanity’s most popular building and fundraising event of the year, the Earth Day Build-A-Thon, April 19-22. Participants collect pledges like a walk-a-thon, but pitch in to help frame 6 houses in four days. No experience necessary! To sign up, or for more info, visit www.habitatEB.org or call 510-251-6304 X311.
California Assembly’s “diversity agenda” set to strangle foundations with diversity
February 12, 2008
The California Assembly has already OKed and sent to the Senate AB 624 that will require all large foundations to annually count up and report on the composition of their staff and board of directors according to race, gender, and sexual orientation; the percentage of their business contracts that go to businesses owned by specified racial and sexual minorities; the number of grants and percentage of grant funds awarded to organizations that serve specified racial and sexual minorities; and the number of grants and percentage of grant funds awarded to organizations where half or more of the staff or board members belong to specified racial and sexual minorities. All of this information is then to be reported under the heading of “Diversity.” Read more
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