http://www.misleader.org/from the Daily Misleader:
President Bush said at a press conference yesterday, "I think it is very important for people who are serving to make sure there is a separation of church and state."<1> The comments, however, stand in stark contrast to new legislation that the White House is pushing that would give religious institutions taxpayer funding and allow religious charities to become directly involved in political campaigns.
Just this month the President renewed his call to use government money to subsidize religious organizations,<2> and he has ordered various government agencies to establish "faith based centers"<3> within their operations. On Capitol Hill, the President's conservative allies tried to pass a proposal that would have allowed clergy to endorse candidates for political office without endangering the tax-exempt status of their congregations.<4>
1. Presidential Remarks, WhiteHouse.gov, 6/15/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2928437&l=40608.2. "Bush calls for funds for church projects", Houston Chronicle, 6/1/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2928437&l=40609.3. "Bush Setting Up Faith-Based Centers", Kxan.com, 6/1/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2928437&l=40610.4. "House Panel Drops 'Safe Harbor for Churches' Measure", Washington Post, 6/16/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2928437&l=40611.