Taking Another Look at FEMA Aid To Houses Of Worship

Since the Forward last weighed in on the contentious issue of whether federal money should go directly to houses of worship damaged by Hurricane Sandy, several things have happened.

The House of Representatives handily passed an amendment that would classify synagogues, churches, etc., as private not-for-profit institutions eligible for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, better known as FEMA. At the time of the Forward’s initial reaction — that the aid, while understandably needed, could dangerously weaken the cherished boundary between religion and state — Jewish groups were simply seeking a specific change in the federal regulation prohibiting FEMA from directly funding houses of worship.

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And that makes us realize what a sticky wicket this bill invites. As the historian Jonathan Sarna recently told our Seth Berkman, if the bill becomes law, FEMA will be in a position to decide just what constitutes a house of worship. A private residence used by Chabad? A storefront chapel established only months before the storm struck last October?

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It may be that in the end, only the federal government has the means to truly help. But we find it ironic that Republicans who rail against the reach of “big government” so blithely ignore the pitfalls of inviting FEMA into the pews. And we find it troubling that Democrats who have benefited from the historic separation of religion and state are rushing to abandon that commitment. Congress should publicly debate this issue before taking a step we may one day regret.

Read more: http://forward.com/articles/172497/taking-another-look-at-fema-aid/#ixzz2MyH3OyqI