Political Quotes

“I would like to point out, not knowing the facts, since there was not a committee hearing on this, that some of the corporations whose charitable contributions are in effect being criticized today might not want to give to some faith-based groups because they do proselytize. I know the gentleman from Kentucky talked about groups that do not proselytize. There are many faith-based groups that provide soup kitchens, alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs, and they do not proselytize. But there are many other faith-based groups that part of their very mission as a religious, pervasively sectarian entity is to proselytize, to sell their faith to others to try to change their lives. So not knowing what the policy is, these corporations, that might be one valid reason why many of these corporations choose not to give their philanthropy to faith-based organizations. Again, I commend the gentleman from Kentucky today for pointing out the good work done by faith-based groups of many different religious faiths across the country. But Mr. Speaker, as we begin this opening chapter in the debate this summer on the role of government and faith-based organizations, I think it is important that we keep in historical perspective the reason why our Founding Fathers felt so strongly about the separation of government and its ability to regulate religion.”