Why does the Department of Homeland Security have a Religious Wing?

[ck4829]

The Department of Homeland Security's Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives:

The Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives will coordinate Department efforts to eliminate regulatory, contracting, and other programmatic obstacles to the participation of faith-based and other community organizations, advancing our overall mission and strengthening the Department's preparedness efforts.

http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0829.xml

Kind of weird, wouldn't you agree?

[BOSSHOG]

1. "Programmatic Obstacles"

Thats exactly what "christians" think of the constitution and the bill of rights - Obstacles!

[The_Warmth]

2. .

very weird

[waiting for hope]

3. Here's a hint:

The responsibilities of the Center include:

- Conducting a department-wide audit to identify existing barriers to the participation of faith-based and other community organizations’ participation in our programs and activities;
- Proposing ways to remove these barriers and to better integrate the community into preparedness efforts;
- Developing and coordinating Departmental outreach efforts to disseminate information more effectively to faith-based and other community organizations with respect to programming changes, contracting opportunities, and other agency initiatives

How I read that: When another disaster strikes, churches and non profit religious groups will be there to lend assistance - mainly because they can not get their shit together.

[grizmaster]

4. So do you think they're opening up Islamic opportunities?

or is this "initiative" restricted to fattening the coffers of the right wing christian cabal?

[Parche]

5. homeland obscurity

I wish we could dismantle the whole thing, I despise hearing that phrase "Homeland" sounds
like something from the Nazi era, or maybe they wanted it that way........
let alone give funds to religions....that should be against the law

[liberal N proud]

6. It is there for the terroist they capture

Once they capture the terroist, they will convert them to Christianity.



:sarcasm:

[napi21]

7. I don't have a problem with Churches aiding victims of anything!

As long as there are no contingents, like...to get this help you must listen to a sermon, or join our congregation, or anythings like that, I thinkit's a good thing that they be compensated for their expenses. MOST Churches don't have a lot of excell funds, and in an emergency situation like Katrina, or anything the DHS would get involved in, all people, organizations, and groups should be compensated for their expenses in providing aid.

The problem here is that Shrub has made it sound like some underhandedthing, where he's again trying to give Fed. funds to his supporters!

[SutaUvaca]

11. No, they shouldn't be compensated.

I certainly agree that it is good when church groups get involved in helping those in need, in disasters or whenever. But never has the christian church's head (that would be Christ) teach them that they should get involved and get compensated. You're right, lots of generous minded church congregations don't have great financial resources. Give what you can. Maybe they should think twice about giving to missionary efforts to convert non-christians in other countries and use that money to help someone across town or in New Orleans or the vet who gets short shrift down at the VA hospital.

Really - when did Christ ever say, "Whenever you've done (good things) for the least of these my brothers, you've done it unto me - and I will ensure the government recompenses you" ?

The church has it's own role to play in "good works' - separate from the government's responsibility.

[napi21]

12. I see your point, but I still believe thatifa Church group has the

volunteers to help,but NO MONEY, it would benefit the victimsa lot more if some funds to buy food, or transport people, or somehow grant shelter. That's like sayingthat, even if I, as a general citizen,wants to offer myhome to a displaced family, I CaN'T because I don't have the money to feed them? Do you understand? I'm not talking about the compensation as much asthe financial help to do as much as you can in a very bad situation.

[sufrommich]

15. Totally agree

and this is the kind of thing that Democrats should be standing up to.Most people agree that churches often help people in distress,as is their right and I admire that,but it it needs to be done out of a duty to the teachings of their church in regards to charity and not because there is money to be made(and we all know there is a certain religious television type of church that exists solely to profit).But including them on the government payroll,essentially,is a slippery slope towards inclusion of church to state that I think the majority of Democrats are against.At least I am.

[MessiahRp]

8. If I was elected President... that's the first budgetary fat I would cut

Not to mention it looks good to cut government programs. :) especially useless ones that eat money in a time of severe deficits.

Rp

[dogday]

9. Because "You Will Be Assimilated" nt

[MadMaddie]

10. The statistic I would like to see if what Churches are

receiving funding....

I can almost guarantee that there are few if any Liberal churches, black churches, Muslim churches etc that are receivng money....

[napi21]

13. In addition to which churches are receiving funds, I want to see what

they've spent it on! All Gov't Dept's have to account for the funds they receive...except the DOD I guess, so should the churches!

[Avalux]

14. So our tax dollars can go to right wing christian groups n/t

[earth mom]

16. Churches or Religions of any kind have NO business in the U.S. g'ment!

It goes against the Constitution and * and his thugs know it but they are doing it anyway to please the christian fundie whack jobs! :grr:

[Hippo_Tron]

17. Perhaps we are praying that there isn't another terrorist attack?