And in Detroit, federal officials are going out of their way to encourage churches and other religious groups to grab all they call. This week, HUD officials will be meeting with representatives of 200 to 300 religious groups in the Detroit area. It is not as if the participation of churches and other religious groups is an essential component in public housing or other community out reaches. Critics charge that these and other proposals open the public treasury for funding of churches, and would require Atheists and others to essentially support and subsidized religious proselytizing. But the Christian Coalition isn't the only organization getting in on the act, nor are religious conservatives alone in their desire to raid the public treasury.
Critics suggest that is a tall order, and a form of backdoor funding for religious outreach.
The state-church separation aspect of the Detroit program, along with the sheer scale of public monies which are involved, have given some pause to consider the actions of HUD and the local religious groups. Some people are just terribly nervous about churches. It's almost an invitation for religious organizations to not only apply for and obtain federal funding, but also to proselytize to those who obtain housing benefits. Johnson meets with Pakistan embassy official, calls for freedom for Dr. Shaikh. Inc. All rights reserved.