Protect Houses of Worship with Federal Funds?

Show notes:

In the first segment, our panelists discuss the alarming rise of violent attacks on religious institutions in the United States. With numerous tragic incidents in recent years, marginalized faith-based groups face a real and ongoing threat. To address this, the government has allocated significant federal funds to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). The program aims to enhance the security of nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, to protect religious liberty and safeguard communities from hate-fueled attacks.

In the second segment of the show, we explore the court case St. Vincent Catholic Charities v. Ingham County Board of Commissioners. St. Vincent has been dedicated to resettling refugees and providing crucial services in Lansing, Michigan for over 40 years. However, the Board of Commissioners launched a discriminatory campaign against the agency, in retaliation for a separate lawsuit they filed regarding foster care and adoption. Despite St. Vincent’s sincere religious beliefs, the Board threatened to halt crucial partnerships, jeopardizing refugee health care and services. The case raises concerns about religious freedom and the rights of organizations to defend themselves in court.

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About the Show:
Faith and Politics is a show dedicated to discussing issues surrounding the intersection of Church, State and politics and the examination of whether you are allowing your faith to shape your politics or your politics starting to shape your faith. What do you do when God and government come face to face?

Panelists:
Galen Carey, Director of Government Affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals; Bettina Krause, Editor of Liberty Magazine; Nia Johnson Visiting Assistant Professor Duke School of Law; and Melissa Reid, Washington Liaison for the North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

About Us:
North American Division Public Affairs & Religious Liberty (PARL) is a ministry dedicated to proclaiming and defending the God-given gift of religious freedom which is integral to our identity as Seventh-day Adventist Christians. Learn more about PARL at www.religiousliberty.info.