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Local LDS Official Says Church Won't Accept Faith-based Initiative Funding
CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE -- Concord New Hampshire Stake President Bryson Cook
told the Concord Monitor that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints would never apply for funding under US President Bush's faith-based
initiative because of the Church's desire for self-sufficiency. Cook said
that members participate in the Church's welfare program to meet the needs
of members, so the Church will not ask for government assistance, "We
wouldn't go to the government for assistance because it flies in the face of
our doctrinal belief that members should be self-reliant," Cook said. "If we
go to the government, then we're not practicing what we preach, that you
take care of yourself, you take care of others and that's your obligation to
the church."
The initiative narrowly passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week
and is being considered by the US Senate. Civil Rights groups have
criticized the initiative fearing that religious groups would take the money
and then discriminate in their hiring practices and programs. And the LDS
Church isn't the only group that has announced it will not accept federal
money because of the strings that will likely be attached to it.
Source:
Religious funding a tough sell
Concord NH Monitor 27Jul01 US NH Conc T1
By Amy McConnell: Monitor staff
Local groups reluctant; Senate mulling proposal
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