http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Federal_earmarks_on_rise_for_evangelical_1031.htmlMounting federal earmarks fund 'scores' of religious groupsJason Rhyne
Published: Thursday November 1, 2007
Earmarks setting aside federal funds for religious organizations -- including Christian groups openly focused on conversions and missionary work -- are on the rise in appropriations bills in both the US House and Senate.
According to analysis from Roll Call, which reviewed the contents of appropriations bills in the 2008 fiscal year, "scores of religious organizations across the country are being singled out...from earmarks for local Catholic Charities USA organizations to funding for research programs at private universities to faith-based drug treatment and jobs programs."
Although the paper points out that the bulk of the money for such groups is specifically funneled to secular projects, some of the funds are targeted at organizations "whose primary mission is evangelical."
The uptick in such earmarks has some activist organizations, such as Americans United for Separation of Church and State, concerned about a perceived increase in the blurring of the lines between religion and government.