We’re confused by an unprecedented plan from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reimburse churches and other religious groups that provided shelter, food and supplies to survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Government dropped the ball after Katrina, and many community and religious volunteers were quick to open their generous arms. At times of great crisis, Americans often take heart knowing that our country’s sprawling web of faith communities will comfort those affected.
But it shouldn’t be taxpayer-subsidized, and it never has been.
The plan to give federal money to church groups has come under fire from civil libertarians who worry about the separation of church and state, and it should also rankle taxpayers.
The tab for the hurricanes is expected to be well over $200 billion, and Americans expect government to help Gulf Coast citizens rebuild their lives. Unfortunately, the Bush administration seems bent on paying for it by tossing another IOU onto the federal deficit, which grows by the minute.
By rolling back some of his tax breaks for the rich, Bush could help pay for the federal government’s tab. But since he won’t even consider it, it’s laughable that FEMA now wants to reimburse religious groups – people who help others and expect nothing in return. It would be the first time government has made large-scale payments to religious groups for helping with a domestic disaster, according to The Washington Post.
Some religious agencies will refuse this largess. Robert Reccord, president of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, said simply, “Volunteer labor is just that: volunteer. We would never ask the government to pay for it.”
Big government, contrary to what the president and Congress seem to think these days, can’t answer all of society’s problems. Take Colorado Springs, for example. Community leaders there say there is no more room in the inn and they can help no more. The Springs has taken in some 1,600 hurricane evacuees out of the 3,300 who have to come Colorado seeking aid.
“We have every reason in the world as a community to be proud of how compassionate we’ve been,” City Manager Lorna Karma was quoted as saying. “But I think we need to say, ‘No more.’ Or we need to drive them to Denver.”
Caring for hurricane survivors has taxed many local governments in the South and West, which is why our faith communities need to reach out and help – without receiving government assistance.
