Toto

There is a new website ScientologyWatch.org , which links to this article:

FAITH-BASED: Nonprofits want to hear details of Bush initiative

Question: will a Scientology group ever get funded? And if it does, will that be enough to kill of the Faith Based Initiative? (Just asking.)

simian

I think it is safe to say the politician will fight Wiccans getting faith-based funds tooth and nail. If you doubt this just check what happens when a Wiccan applies for or gets a Chaplain appointment.

For Scientology, I don't know.

Simian

lisarea

Scientology is notorious for its ability to hide associations, so I expect it's unlikely they'll be the straw that breaks the FBI's back. They're already behind Narc Anon and various motivational type seminar series and such, and few people seem to be aware of it or really care.

I'm patiently waiting, though, for one of the many Hare Krishna temples to get funding based on this. They already have good-sized soup kitchens in many major metropolitan communities, and it seems it'd be pretty seamless for them to qualify. And unlike Scientology, their associations are very visible, and pretty far out of the Christian mainstream.

Grumpy

I was at the FB scoping meeting mentioned above (as I noted in this thread, which I seem to have killed. )

The Scientology pastor spoke up late in the meeting and sheepishly asked if there'd be any money for their treatment programs. He asked on behalf of all the "smaller" religions, though didn't name any.

The lieutenant governor went, "Er, uh," and hastily referred the question to his assistant. Basically, the answer was, "We'll see."

The Scientologist may have been the only non-Christian in the room (not counting yours truly). Come to think of it, there were no explicit references by name to any religious denominations or creeds. For ecumenicism, there was the usual reference to "churches, temples, synagogues and mosques." (No audit centers, reading rooms, or meditation chambers, I guess.)

The FB process in Alaska is in the early stages. I wouldn't be surprised if it leads to a program which is so limited that Scientology gets zilch. But there wouldn't be much political harm in giving something to everybody, as much as it pains the majority.

Grumpy

Looks like I did it again. :boohoo:

Toto

Hey Grumpy, don't blame yourself. Threads in CSSSA usually don't go on for 10 pages, unlike some fora, so somebody has to post the last post.

SLD

Grumpy you should have asked whether there'd be any funding for Atheist based charitable work. You should also have asked whether there'd be any discrimination based on religious beliefs in the use of FBI funds. If not, then scientologists would have to get funding. If so, then ask what their litigation budget is.

SLDER

Grumpy

SLD, I was attending as a reporter, so my personal opinions weren't at issue. I did ask Leman if he saw the need to draw a line between a church group welding yard signs with house numbers and what one pastor called "full Gospel" rehabilitation. He hemmed & hawed, though I don't blame him because I asked the question poorly.

While there were no secular charities represented, Leman was stumped by local do-gooder Mother Lawrence (not a nun, just a concerned grandma). She asked if there would be any government assistance for charities like hers that don't apply for government assistance.