Mike Pence describes himself as “a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order.” So, it’s not surprising that he voted against the Head Start program because federal funds allocated to that program cannot be used for Christian proselytizing. The Richmond Palladium-Item takes issue with Pence’s reasoning.
Now, let us be clear in our belief that religious groups and organizations should be permitted to place religious tests on whomever they choose to hire or fire without interference from government.
So long as they are using their own money.
Therein lies the problem. A higher or at least more public standard needs to be met when tax dollars are at stake, as they are in this case.
The way to avoid that federal entanglement? Reject the federal dollars. Those cries of religious freedom are compromised by the federal infusion of funds.
Allowing churches to take government money to hire workers for the government-funded Head Start program, yet denying employment to particular workers because they are members of the “wrong” religion is unconscionable. Period.
(H/t Blue Indiana).
Looks like perhaps Pence’s priorities have him rendering unto God that which is Caesar’s.
I would submit ‘Christian’ is an ecumenical term including all Christians as one religion,and it’s liberal in meaning because it’s all inclusive.One can be liberal and Christian simultaneously,although the conservative and liberal political spin has long been to the contrary. What if a politician said ‘I am a Catholic before I am a public servant.’ Would that raise eyebrows? There is no difference between Catholic and Christian,or Baptist and Christian,as only 2 examples,both parochial divisions of ecumenical Christianity..
Where there is a conflict, I expect our Representatives to put the Constitution before their religious beliefs.