Suit Over Federal Money for California Churches

The federal government, with support from some Democrats, wants to start funding active Catholic churches in California. Why? Because they were built in the 1700s. This does not explain, though, why the federal government should start funding active churches that will continue to discriminate against visitors on the basis of religion.

CBS 5 reports:

Nineteen of the mission buildings also house active Catholic congregations, and Boston said that makes the upkeep of those buildings the responsibility of the Catholic Church, rather than the federal government.

"If the house of worship has an active congregation, meets there regularly for worship or services, then that congregation is solely responsible for that house of worship," Boston said.

If a congregation can't afford the upkeep of their church, why should they expect the government to pick up the tab? Some argue that the government can justifiably fund these churches because they are also used for tours, but that's a poor rationalization — all the government-funded improvements don't disappear once the congregation holds religious services but then appear again when the tour groups arrive.

Read More:

• Separation of Church and State 101
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