Imagine, for example, a Baptist family in need looking for food and shelter. Bush s policies will put the disadvantaged in an impossible position. They will either submit to religious coercion or go without food, shelter or other needed services to which they are legally entitled. Placing people in need in this kind of position is wrong. Bush s plan opens the door to federal regulation of religion.
Government always regulates what it finances.
This occurs because public officials are obliged to make certain that taxpayer funds are properly spent. Once churches, temples, mosques and synagogues are being financed by the public, some of their freedom will be placed in jeopardy by the almost certain regulation to follow. The vitality of faith communities will be hurt. For years, millions of Americans have become active with their local houses of worship, making special contributions as a way to strengthen their ties to their faith traditions and increase personal piety. As these contributions drop off, the attendant spirit of volunteerism may also wither away.