This story gave me the inspiration for a regular series, perhaps weekly, on stories of this ilk. If I have the time for such a roundup, I'll call it
March of Theocracy
This is not the only case to have surfaced in the last few years, of state or federal funding of religious discrimination. Given that these cases tend to go one way only - religious discrimination by Christian supremacists against other faiths - and against other branches of Christianity, even Catholicism.
This is government funded religious supremacy.
The March of Theocracy. ( coming soon to a venue near you )
JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) -- A Christian adoption agency that receives money from Choose Life license plate fees said it does not place children with Roman Catholic couples because their religion conflicts with the agency's "Statement of Faith."
( story continued )...."It has been our understanding that Catholicism does not agree with our Statement of Faith," Bethany's state director Karen Stewart wrote. "Our practice to not accept applications from Catholics was an effort to be good stewards of an adoptive applicant's time, money and emotional energy."
...."I can't believe an agency that's nationwide would act like this," Loria Williams said. "There was an agency who was Christian based but wasn't willing to help people across the board."
....Sandy Steadman said she was hurt and disappointed that Bethany received funds from the Choose Life car license plates. "I know of a lot of Catholics who get those tags," she said.
....Bethany is one of 24 adoption and pregnancy counseling centers in Mississippi that receives money from the sale of Choose Life tags, a special plate that motorists can obtain with an extra fee.
Of $244,000 generated by the sale of the tags in 2004, Bethany received $7,053, said Geraldine Gray, treasurer of Choose Life Mississippi, which distributes the money.
....The Bethany spokesman, Van Valkenburg, said the offices in Mississippi do not receive any public money, but that some offices in other states do, for example, because they are involved in foster care."
Van Valkenburg's statement would seem to be incorrect : Bethany received $7,053 in money derived from the sale of license plates.
This appears to be an open and shut case of state funded religious discrimination.
Thanks to Dark Christianity for the tip.