What happened to the separation of church and state?

[_why me]

On a different thread about Atheist fascism, I claimed that atheist fascists were destroying tradition by having a 60 year old tradition of displaying a nativity scene on public property. Many people on this forum claim that the separation of church and state trumped the nativity scene.

Now there is govenment interference with catholic charities. What happened to the separation of church and state?

It seems that the government is interfering with religious freedom.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/29/us/fo ... sContainer

[_just me]

Why should they receive state money?

They are welcome to discriminate on their own dime.

[_Buffalo]

On a different thread about Atheist fascism, I claimed that atheist fascists were destroying tradition by having a 60 year old tradition of displaying a nativity scene on public property. Many people on this forum claim that the separation of church and state trumped the nativity scene.

Now there is govenment interference with catholic charities. What happened to the separation of church and state?

It seems that the government is interfering with religious freedom.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/29/us/fo ... sContainer

If they wish to receive public money, they must comply with state law. What's the problem?

[_why me]

Why should they receive state money?

They are welcome to discriminate on their own dime.

Since they received the money in the past, why should the government interfere with their religious beliefs? We need to remember that the government still gives support to charities that go along with its agenda.

No separation of church and state there.

[_why me]

If they wish to receive public money, they must comply with state law. What's the problem?

Actually, it is also with federal laws, regardless if the law changes. To have religions blackmailed into compliance is not a separation of church and state. It is just a tool for the government to enforce its agenda.

By the way, why is the government involved anyway with funding? No separation of church and state there.

[_just me]

There is no law that says the state has to give money or contracts to any individual or organization.

You can't have state aid if you don't comply with the law.

I see you are appealing to tradition again.

Comply with the law and get the contract. Don't comply, don't get the contract. It's really not that complicated.

Oh, and Catholics are still perfectly able to practice their religion and even run adoption agencies. No interference. No problem.

[_Buffalo]

If they wish to receive public money, they must comply with state law. What's the problem?

Actually, it is also with federal laws, regardless if the law changes. To have religions blackmailed into compliance is not a separation of church and state. It is just a tool for the government to enforce its agenda.

By the way, why is the government involved anyway with funding? No separation of church and state there.

I agree that churches shouldn't receive government funding. They should also pay taxes like any other business. But, since the church is acting as a private contractor to perform government services, they must abide by the rules, like everyone else.

[_why me]

Oh, and Catholics are still perfectly able to practice their religion and even run adoption agencies. No interference. No problem.

But there is. This is also under threat because catholic adoption agencies do not want same sex couples to adopt. Thus, the government is threatening these agencies also. The obama administration is causing this problem and interfering with the church and the church's beliefs about same sex marriage or couples living together and adoption.

[_Buffalo]

Oh, and Catholics are still perfectly able to practice their religion and even run adoption agencies. No interference. No problem.

But there is. This is also under threat because catholic adoption agencies do not want same sex couples to adopt. Thus, the government is threatening these agencies also. The obama administration is causing this problem and interfering with the church and the church's beliefs about same sex marriage or couples living together and adoption.

No one is threatening anyone. What are you talking about?

[_why me]

I agree that churches shouldn't receive government funding. They should also pay taxes like any other business. But, since the church is acting as a private contractor to perform government services, they must abide by the rules, like everyone else.

The government changes the rules and this is what happened. I think that Paul and his gay friends can make up the difference when the catholic church closes its charity organizations. And the government can help these people who were helped by the catholic agencies by adding them to the welfare rolls without a ,like workfare.

And increase your taxes as a result.