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Father Jonathan Morris sounds off on the FEMA’s decision to only give loans to houses of worship because of separation of church and state.
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Story -- assess houses of worship can only get loans to cover damages from hurricane -- Citing separation of church and state Father Jonathan Morris is with -- right now this Friday -- follow welcome from -- program.
Thank you very much now.
What do you make -- -- the famous as a cable give you loans for the damage to houses of worship and for the for the goodies that you doled out in this time of emergency but would not gonna -- you grants like we give to other sectors of the population.
Legit -- -- other sectors of the population but to other nonprofits.
That right zoos.
Museums.
And even religiously affiliated.
Organizations that are doing social work so -- what they've decided to do is exclude.
Any help to houses of worship and this is.
-- Jewish temples Muslim mosques extra Christian churches Catholic -- unanimity possible Anglican churches -- That's because there's -- this incredible is that -- grabbed him and says are they saying.
You on not of business in the way that other non profits are a business baffled they can get to grant but you cannot.
Well actually businesses.
Get loans according to Tina but they're not getting grants and you know what's interesting -- -- and this is the -- -- -- the issue.
Is whether or not government.
Beliefs with a not -- -- believes that churches.
Are actually eight plus -- society in a way that other for example charitable non religious organizations would be.
And there has always been a tradition in -- it's America.
That we have thought churches.
Religious or or organizations are good for society because they help make people more moral more charitable -- -- asks -- why there's got exempt I'll be making up.
Yes you steamed up -- it's it's it's.
It's unfair and that's steamed up but -- -- that you've got loans which you have to repay yes not a grant which you don't have to read that's right and in why are religious or a churches.
Tax exempt -- Because because society has.
The United States of America -- has decided as a great tradition of saying we need.
Believe -- it's an.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- If the government which hand out money deviate too -- -- to rebuild that judge to repair the damage to that -- -- What about what conflict -- the separate the constitution.
Say about religion.
-- everyone talks -- separation of church and state -- very good principle but what are we find the constitution.
The establishment clause that says congress should not pass a law to establish one religion or over another that's the first thing.
The second thing -- that congress should not pass and you law that's going to prohibit the free exercise of religion.
No we do not want government to be saying we're gonna build -- church after -- but this mosque we will not -- know.
They should be in the exact same footing.
In addition applied like every other nonprofits should apply -- do you think he should be.
The money should come from the government to repair damage to churches -- on the honestly think you think that unless we yes absolutely absolutely that's absolutely OK and last we think the churches are simply.
Not a plus for society right now under Obama -- Catholic institutions.
Hospitals for example.
Must provide both control.
And they must provide morning after abortion pills.
And they've got to do this the the Obama mistress that you've got to do so they're abandoning the separation judges stake in that instance but applying it in the instance of -- you're exactly right in the -- given us suppose that exemption.
But they -- it's only an exemption for houses of worship.
But a Catholic or Christian nor a Jewish or Muslim hospital.
Must abide in there is no exception whatsoever.
And that is that it and not only did what they've done there's no this is fascinating -- -- Stewart.
They have redefined.
What a religious organization does this have no we absolutely respect freedom of conscience but -- to define of religious organization basically.
As a church.
What -- a hospital what about -- school in other words keep your religion inside of a church.
Don't bring it out because that's not a religious authority today that the president is tossed file to -- I think he's confused on this issue confucius yes you wouldn't -- supposed to -- -- -- I'm not gonna judge whose -- from -- distance as he canceled for a breakfasts that always in place by his predecessors.
-- he's done a lot of things not just on in terms of prayer and specifically religion but I -- Basic fundamental.
Traditional value to the United States he is gone against in a way that I am not very happy -- sense -- turning the other cheek.
Two point biblical phrase don't know what economists say this guy is hostile and what reply I don't know -- I -- -- sometimes I would like to see a more muscular response on the part of Christians to the attacks -- to palm.
That's -- I would like to say I'm not saying I agree need to do but -- I'm not stick it on aggregate -- -- -- gonna get anger and all that's into Omid do vote no -- -- column bad name noted underneath that I talked on the -- that I wrote I repeat what I want to symbol muscular response on the part of Christians because we I think on the practicing Christian I think we're on protect.
All over the world.
-- I want a muscular response I don't think that pledge point -- like this but I want at a a more for a thoughtful about what we are what most.
Devastating I think.
Actions or in actions of denies his government right now is not standing up for Christians.
In the Middle East well set wealth and what we're what we're seeing here is a return to the genocide needs of their early twentieth century.
Getting ready to happen.
Absolutely strong stuff father -- a million -- you know I was in Syria up a few years back a million Christians had fled.
I -- to get to Syria.
What are those million Christians going to do right now if we allow we start paying.
These governments to a two to abuse and to persecute a minority will you please in -- yeah absolutely name problem.
We police say this forcefully to the new launch vision of Canterbury perhaps who.
Could usable muscular approach suspect out of -- gallon this morning and -- attack victims -- not what you'll do you'll -- and -- that we -- that was -- -- -- -- always respond very quiet.
They used to but not gonna do that -- -- Jonathan Morris have to affect you so much -- sort itself.
His what you are saying about this on our FaceBook page for -- Tibetan.
She doesn't think the churches should get the money quote why should any religious organization get any federal money.
They don't pay any taxes into the system why should they get any out of the system only -- respond on the side.
Don't assess I think we all know now about the government picks and chooses to and -- it wants to survive regardless of what the constitution -- and -- from -- I didn't see this it as an issue after Katrina.
Just shows the double standard last -- -- expect the first you know what I think is the most confused from betting right.
What about all the other nonprofit.
Organizations that are getting assistance.
But she got what about what they're not you -- -- perhaps it was not prop nonprofits are not paying taxes either and they're getting eight.
What they've done -- exclude.
Only -- houses of worship -- from that eight.
And what they're saying is -- the government is saying is because you know what that's actually not good for society necessarily.
The killing me that's a change in tradition at you the killing me I'm we've gone so far over time and use you so vote -- follow which often look what -- yell and scream and dividend.
When -- coming to quiet down when I look at.
I'm back to the cult.
