Granting Power to Chosen Religions and Driving Personal Agendas

This Order gives the President and the OFBCI complete power to dictate personal agendas by deciding who gets funding and how it may be used.  It grants power to chosen religious organizations and helps them expand.  In Section (2), "Establishment", the Order states the OFBCI "will have lead responsibility in the executive branch to establish policies, priorities, and objectives for the Federal Government's comprehensive effort to enlist, equip, enable, empower, and expand the work of faith-based and other community organizations". [1]

The Order contaminates the function of the Federal government with George W. Bush's superstitious beliefs.  Section (3), "Functions", para (c), states the function is to "integrate the President's policy agenda affecting faith-based and other community organizations across the Federal Government." 

In addition, Bush intends to drive his agenda into State and local governments.  Section (3), para (g), provides "policy and legal education to State, local, and community policymakers and public officials seeking ways to empower faith-based and other community organizations."

Section (3), para (h), makes it even more clear whose agenda is to be promoted stating "develop and implement strategic initiatives under the President's agenda".  And para (l) outlines who sets the "standards of excellence" in the "faith-based efforts".

Please God, protect us from your followers!  This man is anointing himself Messiah of America!

Undermining Existing Laws and a Major Setback to Education

Full authority and power to infiltrate educational institutions with Bush's superstitious beliefs is provided by the Order.  This has been a hard fought battle by citizens that don't want lies, myths and superstition taught to their children in our schools.  There's mountains of legal decisions and precedents surrounding this issue which Bush is attempting to undermine.  Section (3), para (d), provides the power for Bush and the OFBCI to "coordinate public education activities designed to mobilize public support for faith-based and community nonprofit initiatives".

The President's stated goal in Section (3), para (j) is to "eliminate unnecessary legislative, regulatory, and other bureaucratic barriers that impede effective faith-based... efforts".  UNNECESSARY to who?!  There are many of us out here that strongly believe these laws, regulations and barriers are VERY necessary.  Are YOU awake!?  Please reread this paragraph.  It should shock you!  Do not forget what great contribution the Church has made to scientific education! (See: SCIENCE, TRUTH AND THE CHURCH)

Privacy Violations

The order also gives the government new power to monitor individuals and the activities of external organizations.  Section (4), para (d), states that "All executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall cooperate with the White House OFBCI and provide such information, support, and assistance to the White House OFBCI as it may request".

Have We Forgotten the Constitution?

How can an Executive Order empower the President to establish and mandate religious policies and require other departments, branches and employees of the Federal government to carry out these religious, faith-based ideals?  What if directors and employees of these departments are not religious and refuse to implement them?  Would they be relieved of duties?!  The U.S. Constitution binds all to carry out their duties without regard to religious matters or preference.  It states in the U.S. Constitution, Article. VI, Clause 3, "The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States." [2] Amendment I to the Constitution states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." [3]  How can Congress be asked to participate in the President's grand religious vision?

Where does this funding come from?

There isn't some magical pot of government money.  This is your tax dollars!  How do you feel about your money being spent to fund George W. Bush's personal religious agenda!?  The Ethical Atheist is strongly opposed to this Executive Order and angry that it is being funded by hard-earned tax dollars!  As a member of the Citizens Against Government Waste, the Ethical Atheist categorizes this as "waste of the most blatant form".  In this country, we are supposed to have religious freedoms.  We have the freedom to decide whether or not to practice and support religion.  However this Initiative infringes on this freedom because it uses tax dollars which we are required to pay.

Get Involved!

Please get involved!  Write President George W. Bush: President@whitehouse.gov!  Write your Senators!  Write your Congressmen.  Write the U.S. Supreme Court Justices.  Get involved with Americans United for the Separation of Church and State.  They are the leading force in opposition to this Initiative.  Please read: The Bush 'Faith-Based' Initiative: Why It's Wrong.  Get involved with Citizens Against Government Waste.  Do something!  Please fight this!

Amen!