Trump Administration Using Relief Funds To Bail Out Churches, Pay Pastor Salaries

[Galraedia]

Unacceptable, Unconstitutional, UnAmerican: In a clear violation of the separation of church and state, the Trump administration will use taxpayer money to bail out churches and pay pastor salaries.

NPR reports:

In a development that could challenge the Constitution’s prohibition of any law “respecting an establishment of religion,” the federal government will soon provide money directly to U.S. churches to help them pay pastor salaries and utility bills.

A key part of the $2 trillion economic relief legislation enacted last month includes about $350 billion for the Small Business Administration to extend loans to small businesses facing financial difficulties as a result of the coronavirus shutdown orders. Churches and other faith-based organizations, classified as “businesses,” qualify for aid under the program, even if they have an exclusively religious orientation.

In a statement about the issue, the Small Business Administration said:

Faith-based organizations are eligible to receive SBA loans regardless of whether they provide secular social services. No otherwise eligible organization will be disqualified from receiving a loan because of the religious nature, religious identity, or religious speech of the organization.

Read more: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2020/04/trump-administration-using-relief-funds-to-bail-out-churches-pay-pastor-salaries/

[dhol82]

1. Bet if they were giving out abortion advice they wouldn't get loans.

This is appalling!

[Ohiogal]

2. If a church is eligible for a small business loan...

Then why are they tax exempt!!

[Newest Reality]

3. Why is Pence VP?

Trumps regime motives rest on keeping gullible, fundamentalist Evangelicals in his pocket as he gives them the hope that said will have more power in a theocratic sense. The GOP goes for that as well.

Trump has worked the crowd of oligarchs and theocratic hopefuls all along. They represent to anti-democracy factions that, to me, are both vying for ascendancy when the right circumstances, like a totalitarian titular head, allow them to usurp the current system. Of course, the GOP is so invested because they are rather obsolete and projected demographics indicate their waning popularity as a major party. Forcing a relevancy and using propaganda, along with a figurehead who does not respect our system is their obvious strategy.

Buying some votes, perhaps?

[Sanity Claws]

4. All 501(c)(3) entities are eligible for this money

The only criterion is that they must have fewer than 500 employees. They can get a loan equal to 2.5 months of payroll; the loan does not have to be paid back if the entity is able to show that at least 75% was applied to payroll and the remainder may be applied to overhead like rent or mortgage.

[procon]

5. OK, if churches are categorized as businesses

for the purpose of receiving taxpayer's money, then they are also businesses that owe taxes.

These money grubbing hucksters can't have it both ways, it's time to pay their fair share and stop their con game.

[sinkingfeeling]

6. If they're businesses for the purpose of government aid, then they need to be taxed.

[thucythucy]

7. Wanna bet that conservative evangelical mega-churches get the bulk of this money

and more liberal, socially progressive denominations like the UCC and the Unitarians and American Friends get cut out entirely?

Not that tax money should go to any of them--but even this will be just another exercise in red state/conservative draining off the public trough.