Maryland 'Security' Aid To Religious School

http://blog.au.org/2004/09/md_governor_cro.html
September 22, 2004
Maryland 'Security' Aid To Religious School Raises Questions

In a move that raises church-state questions, Maryland Gov . Robert
Ehrlich announced Sept. 21 that Maryland will become the first state to
spend a portion of its federal homeland security allotment at religious
institutions.

Ehrlich's announcement took place at a Jewish day school that will
receive subsidies through the program. Instead of spending the money on
more police officers and other security measures that do not infringe on
constitutional principles, Ehrlich has taken a step that allows government
dollars to pay for permanent improvements to houses of worship and, in this
case, religious education. This move sets a bad precedent.

Understanding the gravity of this risk, prominent Jewish groups have
actively opposed congressional measures that offer similar security
subsidies for religious institutions. Both Reform and Recontructionist
leaders have argued that federal aid or below-market loan guarantees for
houses of worship "seriously weakens the wall separating church and state,
which is a vital protector of religious liberty for all Americans." (The
Union of Reform Judaism is the largest American Jewish movement.)

"We have long taken a position that there should not be a direct government
transfer of funds to houses of worship," said Rabbi David Saperstein,
director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. "Such funding is
not only something that we oppose but that the Supreme Court has never
upheld," he said. Asked if this position applies even when dealing with
security, Saperstein said yes, but added that there are ways in which local
authorities can provide security to religious congregations without
undermining the Constitution.

The prominent Anti-Defamation League has also come out against this
legislation to provide this funding.

-- Sam Felder