Ohio: Gov’t Sponsors Gospel Concert with Faith-Based Funds

Should the government sponsor a gospel concert, something that is obviously and necessarily religious in nature? Franklin County Children Services in Ohio thinks so - and they are even using a faith based grant from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

WBNS reports:

[T]he ACLU of Ohio says the faith-based recruitment effort is in violation of the separation of church and state. "You have what appears to be a government sponsor of an event. That crosses the line of neutrality when it comes to religion," the ACLU says.

The ACLU sent a letter to Children Services late Monday asking them to reconsider holding the event, which is set for Saturday at The Church of God on Refugee Road, or face potential legal action. ... [Doris Calloway-Moore of Franklin County Children Services] says, "We have done other events in this faith-based community and so it took me aback. This isn't the first effort, it's the first concert, but we go to churches all the time."

She was taken aback? The government is using a “faith based grant” in order to fund a religious musical event where the songs being performed are those which promote and encourage religious beliefs. Moreover, the songs will all be sung by children who are currently in the care of the state. How can someone not realize that there are, at a bare minimum, good reasons to be suspicious about something like this? Calloway-Moore isn’t doing her job if this sort of thing doesn’t occur to her.

Read More:

• Separation of Church and State 101
• Church and State News
• Faith-Based Programs