-Caveat Lector- > <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> > People For the American Way Press Release > <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> > > FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 25, 1999 > CONTACT: Nancy Coleman, David Elliot or Lela Shepard > at 202-467-4999 > > > NEW GORE PROPOSAL IS A LOSE-LOSE > FOR THE CONSTITUTION, PFAW WARNS > > A newly announced proposal by presidential hopeful Al Gore would > undermine the First Amendment by entangling government in the > operations of churches, People For the American Way warned today. > > The proposal, which Gore announced his support for yesterday, > parallels a measure introduced last year by Republican Senator John > Ashcroft. It would authorize the payment of federal dollars to > churches that provide social services such as drug and alcohol > counseling. > > In a letter to the candidate, People For the American Way's > President Carole Shields expressed disappointment at Gore's decision > to back a proposal that poses considerable danger to both the > Constitution and to churches that might seek to receive government > funds. > > "What you are proposing is a constitutional lose-lose situation," > Shields wrote. "This proposal will go wrong either way -- either it > will undermine the Constitution by supporting the practice of > religion or it will undermine the churches' freedom by imposing > limits on religious expression." > > The government currently gives support to religiously affiliated > organizations such as Catholic and Jewish relief agencies that are > separate from the churches or synagogues themselves. The Ashcroft > measure which Gore has now embraced would channel tax dollars > directly to churches whose overriding purpose is the observance and > promotion of a particular religious faith. > > Shields letter also chided Gore for distorting the position and good > faith of people who oppose the use of public dollars for religious > purposes. > > "Caricaturing opposition to this measure as 'hollow secularism' -- > including religious leaders from all across the spectrum of faiths -- > adds heat but no light to a serious debate that involves our most > fundamental rights," Shields wrote. "Such divisive rhetoric is > unworthy of this debate and undeserved by people who are wrestling > with these issues in good faith." > DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
