Faith

U.S. Gov’t Refuses to Help Churches Damaged and Destroyed in Natural Disasters — But Should It?

Should Congress Fund Churches Damaged in Natural Disasters | Hurricane Sandy

Residents pick-up items at a church which has been turned into a relief supply center following Hurricane Sandy in the Rockaways on January 25, 2013 in New York City. Credit: Getty Images

In addition to wreaking havoc and rendering thousands of Americans homeless, Hurricane Sandy brought with it yet another nation-wide church-state separatism debate. The focus? Whether Congress should be in the business of financially assisting houses of worship.

While private homes and businesses were dilapidated by the historic storm, Hurricane Sandy also left scores of churches without the funds and support needed to rebuild. The natural question quickly became: Should the Federal Emergency Management Agency help recovery by offering grants to these institutions?

While many Americans would agree that churches, too, should be eligible for government assistance in the wake of nature’s wrath, current law actually restricts such an intermingling of religion and state. This naturally offers up quite a conundrum to houses of worship that find themselves in desperate need.

Earlier this month, in an effort to rectify the situation, the House of Representatives voted in support (354 to 72) of the Federal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act of 2013 (H.R. 592). The measure, sponsored by Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-N.J.), was opposed by 66 Democrats and six Republicans.

The bill, voted upon on Feb. 13, would amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Assistance Act to include churches as non-profit institutions that are entitled to FEMA aid when the president declares a natural disaster. The bill is now moving on to the Senate where its future is uncertain.

To provide more context regarding what’s being proposed, here’s a summary description of the House measure as it currently stands:

Federal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act of 2013 – Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include community centers, including tax-exempt houses of worship, as “private nonprofit facilities” for purposes of disaster relief and emergency assistance eligibility under such Act.

Makes a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or other house of worship, and a private nonprofit facility operated by a religious organization, eligible for federal contributions for the repair, restoration, and replacement of facilities damaged or destroyed by a major disaster, without regard to the religious character of the facility or the primary religious use of the facility.

Makes this Act applicable to the provision of assistance in response to a major disaster or emergency declared on or after October 28, 2012.

Should Congress Fund Churches Damaged in Natural Disasters | Hurricane Sandy

A rescue center is being organized by volunteers in the gymnasium next to St Gertrude’s Church as New York recovers from Hurricane Sandy on November 4, 2012 in Far Rockaway, New York. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

While some would call this a common-sense corrective measure that helps to remove discriminatory practices waged against churches, others disagree and have fears about how far this bill might be taken. Critics charge that public funds would potentially end up paying for exclusively-religious content inside of churches and not merely the structural damages that result from natural disasters.

“Using federal money to build a religious sanctuary of any faith is exactly what the Founding Fathers wanted to prevent,” writes Alfred P. Doblin, editorial editor of The Record.

According to Doblin, FEMA isn’t supportive of the measure, expressing fears that the government will end up footing the bill for baptismal fonts, stained-glass windows and other exclusively religious elements. If these items are damaged in storms, the worry is that churches will ask the government to replace them, creating a potentially-troubling entanglement. He went on to call the bill a “slippery slope” that America “should not ski.”

The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, a church-state separatist group, agreed. BJC Staff Counsel Nan Futrell wrote a letter claiming that public funding would endanger the Establishment Clause and create murky scenarios for the separation of church and state.

“Public funding of houses of worship threatens to undermine religious autonomy and impermissibly involve government in the private affairs of religious bodies,” Futrell wrote in her letter. “It is simply not a good idea — however our heartstrings are tugged — to give churches access to the public till.”

But others, like Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, a Democrat from New York, said that she supports giving grants to houses of worship. Pledging to support the bill in the Senate, she noted that churches like St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Queens, N.Y., among others, have provided much-needed aid to storm victims. Gillibrand believes that churches should have the same protections that zoos, museums, libraries and other community groups are granted.

Should Congress Fund Churches Damaged in Natural Disasters | Hurricane Sandy

Donated goods inside St Gertrude’s Church as New York recovers from Hurricane Sandy on November 4, 2012 in Far Rockaway, New York. Veterans of the campaign to bring Wall Street to a standstill are now in an army of volunteers helping the tens of thousands in a crippled district of New York one week after superstorm Sandy struck. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

And Christine C. Quinn, a Democrat and the speaker of the New York City Council, has joined in Gillibrand’s call for a change to FEMA’s policies. But rather than urging legislative action, she wrote a letter simply asking the agency to consider the massive need churches have in the wake of the storm.

“Recovery from a natural disaster like Hurricane Sandy isn’t a matter of state sponsoring religion,” she wrote. “It’s a matter of helping those in need after one of the worst natural disasters our country has ever seen.”

FEMA, though, has continued to express concern, noting that lawsuits would likely follow if the bill becomes law. Additionally, there’s disagreement from legal experts over whether it parameters are constitutional. While the American Civil Liberties Union argues that they are not, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty claims the opposite.

Considering both sides of the argument, what do you think? Should the federal government help churches as it does other non-profit organizations — or is this a violation of the U.S. Constitution? Take the poll, below:

Should Congress Fund Churches?

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Comments (164)

  • Carlinpa
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 10:01am

    RE”“Using federal money to build a religious sanctuary of any faith is exactly what the Founding Fathers wanted to prevent,” writes Alfred P. Doblin, editorial editor of The Record.”
    Yeah. we only build mosques in Foreign countries.. NOT Christian Churches here.. right?

    Report this comment

    Carlinpa  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 1:31pm

      Why do people rely on the Worse Government programs to get things done. Who gives them the authority to enforce their regulations.
      IF YOU WANT SOME THING DONE, DO IT YOUR SELF!!!!
      You be be better off relying on yourself and friends!

      Report this comment

      banjarmon  
    • DeniseJ
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 1:48pm

      Right, Carlinpa, our gov’t has no business building mosques overseas. Nor should they be rebuilding anything except infrastructure, fire and police houses, etc. I know I’m in the minority here, but it is not a government function under the Constitution to rebuild your ruined house, or house of worship, or store, etc. Let them put their resources if necessary to getting the roads clear and utilities working…..HOW long after Sandy did it take to get the water and electricity back?????

      Report this comment

      DeniseJ  
    • Mudd
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 2:24pm

      I’m with BANJARMON. Do it yourself and quit complaining.

      Report this comment

      Mudd  
    • CathyvanDyke
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 2:52pm

      Boston Mayor Tom Menino Says No To Chick-fil-A For Supporting Marriage, But Yes To Islamic Fundamentalism
      July 27, 2012 l

      Michael Graham from the Boston Herald writes:

      Given his stance on Chick-fil-A, would Mayor Tom Menino grant permits to a group that has counted among its leaders a man who has repeatedly called homosexuality a “crime that must be punished” by death?

      Actually, he has done that  . . . and more! Menino effectively gave away city land valued at $1.8 million to the organization, and he gave a speech at its ribbon-cutting ceremony. ….

      Read more:

      http://tedshoebat.com/2012/07/27/boston-mayor-tom-menino-says-no-to-chick-fil-a-for-supporting-marriage-but-yes-to-islamic-fundamentalism/

      http://bostonherald.com//news_opinion/opinion/op_ed/2012/07/radical_imam_ok_not_chick_fil_a

      Report this comment

      CathyvanDyke  
    • marssnw
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 3:44pm

      Its not so much that the churches will not get funded for this. Its the fact that there is a double standard in this country. They will build mosques but not churches. I agree, we should rely on our own two hands, but the fact that we are building mosques just boils my blood.

      Report this comment

      marssnw  
    • CathyvanDyke
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 4:00pm

      marssnw

      I agree. It is the double PC standard when it comes all things Islam.

      A Call to Islam in the Arizona Senate
      February 14, 2013

      Last week, a representative of the Hamas-linked Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) gave a prayer before the Arizona State Senate.

      No news media picked it up. No one reported on it. It was a commonplace thing. CAIR, after all, is a “civil rights” organization; why should anyone be concerned if a CAIR leader prays in a U.S. government body? CAIR has been linked by the Justice Department to the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, but no one seems to mind. What could go wrong?

      Read More:

      http://frontpagemag.com/2013/robert-spencer/a-call-to-islam-in-the-arizona-senate/

      Report this comment

      CathyvanDyke  
    • KyleD
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 4:46pm

      Is it discrimination? Probably, but I don’t think churches should be funded by the government anyway. Plus, if you need to rely on the government to congregate something is wrong with your congregation.

      Report this comment

      KyleD  
    • tnkrstoyco
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 7:09pm

      Looks like an act of God tome, let God deal with the churches. After all they seem to have more money than God.

      Report this comment

      tnkrstoyco  
    • Barnesrickw
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 7:31pm

      Pretty sure, at least in this case, what the government is doing is paying the insurance companies to help them pay their claims.

      Report this comment

      Barnesrickw  
    • NOTYERHUCKLEBERRY
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 7:57pm

      Quite honestly, I believe any ‘church’ that has a tax free status, should throw it away and pay taxes on offerings. This way they are free from the government rules on political leanings and the like. Tell the IRS to blow it out their backside!

      Report this comment

      NOTYERHUCKLEBERRY  
    • Dr Vel
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 9:44pm

      Ironically Fema was not to be found in the week after the storm based upon many reports, yet churches were helping thousands with food, water, shelter and many other needed items. Glenn Beck’s trucks brought large amounts of supplies immediately and people at the churches were reporting on the situation on the ground.

      Report this comment

      Dr Vel  
    • Phattdad144
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 8:02am

      I believe the founding fathers intent was to keep the federal government out of our churches. Any money from the federal government would come with government strings attached. The federal government does not just offer aid. It will choose who the winners and losers will be. So stay away from any form of government assistance. Its the drug choice of our politicians.

      Report this comment

      Phattdad144  
    • James
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:51am

      Church’s, do not get into bed with the Feds period!

      Report this comment

      James  
    • bungal3
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 12:24pm

      No matter who is in office and has the throne in Washington, and I mean House; Senate; and White House, sooner or later the Liberals would use financial ties to faith organizations to control their freedom of speech. We see this now just with having tax exemption the Liberals try this same thing.

      One church in San Antonio had their funds confiscated and much more under Bill Clinton. They had to go to court to get them back. What was the crime, if any? The Pastor spoke on what was happening and compared it to Scriptures. How terrible using freedom of speech with a Commie as president! We got a worse one now and we will always have Liberal fools trying to control us when they, as individuals cannot even control themselves!

      Report this comment

      bungal3  
    • AugustKat
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 5:05pm

      Notyerhucklberry: “I believe any ‘church’ that has a tax free status, should throw it away and pay taxes on offerings. This way they are free from the government rules on political leanings and the like.”

      The pastors of our founding days and up until the 1950s spoke loudly and often about political matters. AND we often had pastors in the state legislature.
      Separation of church and state is NOT in our Constitution. It’s a reference borrowed from Thomas Jefferson’s Letter to the Danbury Baptists.

      http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9806/danpre.html

      Report this comment

      AugustKat  
    • curmudgeon60
      Posted on February 25, 2013 at 3:51am

      We build footpaths at the U of Michigan too! ;-)

      Report this comment

      curmudgeon60  
    • SquidVetOhio
      Posted on February 25, 2013 at 8:37am

      The ridiculous double standard not withstanding….

      CHURCHES: ACCEPTING FEDERAL MONEY IS MAKING A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL!

      There WILL be unknown strings attached.

      Report this comment

      SquidVetOhio  
  • sligresda
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 9:56am

    Churches don’t need the government to help rebuild, they have someone far superior. If God wants it to be rebuilt, it will be. In addition, why are people getting funds from the government to rebuild their homes, isn’t that what insurance is for?

    Report this comment

    sligresda  
    • Elena2010
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 10:06am

      Indeed! But the feds want their nose in EVERY tent. FEMA itself is likely un-Constitutional.

      Report this comment

      Elena2010  
    • COFemale
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 12:11pm

      Yes, but wide spread damage as such in a natural disaster the insurance companies do not have the funds to burden the entire force. One or two no problem. hit them with 100s well that is a different story. Some people who lost their homes in Colorado Springs due to the Waldo Canyon fire (347 homes lost,) are having trouble getting funds from their insurance companies because they’ve been hit hard. No one should have to worry about getting any funding after a disaster.

      Report this comment

      COFemale  
    • battles
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 12:44pm

      The government is missing a great chance here though. Everything that comes from government comes with strings attached. After a church blunders into federal help, they could then be pressured by the government to accept government political correct doctrine. The only other option is to use private homes for worship and bible study, and you probably remember what that meant in Phoenix.

      Report this comment

      battles  
    • mattmo79
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 12:53pm

      The only Federal money that should be spent would be for infrastructure such as highways etc. that was damaged or destroyed by the storm. Not a dime for anything else!

      Report this comment

      mattmo79  
    • JGraham III
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 1:54pm

      The Feds got their filthy hands on church operations by slyly getting them to accept the 501-c3 tax exempt status, which effectively puts the IRS on any church board that accepts the exemption. Through a morass of tax code misdirection and misinformation the Federal government has convinced churches that they are liable for tax on anything and everything they do if they don’t have this ‘hook in the jaw’ exemption. Before the 501-c3 churches were historically tax exempt; even the concept of “sanctuary” goes back past the middle ages. The Christian community needs to not accept the governments supposed controls or their help. Maybe some ‘hardship’ might get them back to the first century model for the Church which met in people’s homes. Perhaps more $$$ would be available if a large debt to keep a building afloat weren’t constantly needing attention. Perhaps national denominations, especially those who specify that they own the property and not the local congregation need to pony up the money or lose the brand name on the building. Besides, churches need to prepare for the current administration’s hostility to ANY resistance from the Christian community. The govt. will sooner or later come for the taxes because they are running out of available places to collect them. The time may be very near for the IRS to start stripping away the 501-c3 for any petty reason and then start the confiscation process… it has happened elsewhere. Time to go underground!

      Report this comment

      JGraham III  
    • CathyvanDyke
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 2:20pm

      U.S. Gov’t Refuses to Help Churches Damaged and Destroyed in Natural Disasters — But Should It?

      It is said “Along with sheckles cames shackles”.

      Report this comment

      CathyvanDyke  
    • iampraying4u
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 2:47pm

      Dont count on fhe govt for anything

      Report this comment

      iampraying4u  
    • GrandpaOf4
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 3:48pm

      Absolutely. I fail to see why we need to spend 3 dollars of government money for 1 dollar in relief to anyone. I crashed my car during a snow storm a few weeks ago is FEMA going to come running over with a grant for that? As far as the Churches go I’m thinking that it might be wise for them to just tell the FEMA grant guys to take their grant and burn it. We want them to get used to being around smoke and flames.

      Report this comment

      GrandpaOf4  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 11:42pm

      A building is not a church; a church is the people who worship. Me, myself and I think the government should stay out of the people’s business.

      Report this comment

      TEXASGRANNY73  
    • G-WHIZ
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 9:25am

      All insurance-companies pay billions to lawyers from millions of REGULATIONS to adhere. This money could have been used to help their disaster-funds instead of feeding lawyers and REGULATIONS!!

      Report this comment

      G-WHIZ  
    • Rebecca Olesen
      Posted on February 24, 2013 at 3:27pm

      Because most insurance companies do not cover flood damage or ‘acts of god’. If nobody gives a crap about god, then insurance companies should not be able to claim non payment on ‘acts of god’ in the policies they never intend to pay out on.

      Report this comment

      Rebecca Olesen  
  • Southernsoul
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 9:54am

    Yeah, to echo a lot of the sentiments here, Why is the Federal government paying for any of the repairs to homes and businesses. Thats what insurance is for. Yet another example of how we cannot take care of ourselves without the help of Big Brother. Besides, churches are tax exempt. If anyone has no claim to government funds it would be a tax exempt organization. If there is no insurance, shouldn’t it be the people who attend the church who pay for repairs?

    Report this comment

    Southernsoul  
    • COFemale
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 12:15pm

      How can the people pay when they lost everything too? Think man. we aren’t talking about a fire at the church and everything else is okay. We are talking where everything is destroyed, congregation homes also. The key word is ‘catastrophic disaster’.

      Report this comment

      COFemale  
    • Carrie3570
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 12:52pm

      Correct. The Federal Government should not be paying to fix anything in a disaster. People, businesses, churches, etc. need to prepare for these things. The only time the Federal Government should fix anything in a natural disaster is if it belongs to the Fed. Gov. Example: Federal Prison.

      Each state should have a disaster line in their budget and put money in it. When something happens, they would have the money to repair the things they need to repair without Federal Government help.

      Report this comment

      Carrie3570  
    • booger71
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 1:00pm

      Carrie3570
      ===========
      Correcto-Mundo

      Report this comment

      booger71  
  • ThePostman
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 9:46am

    A church is just a legal tax entitiy in the eyes of the government. It should be bailed out no more than a damaged Walmart should be. The ONLY relief the government should provide is emergency disaster humanitarian aid. Anything more encourages people to continue building their houses in dangerous places. Most people do not realize how much danger we put so many people in by encouraging such behavior.

    Report this comment

    ThePostman  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:51am

    Taxpayers shouldn’t bail out churches or banks or any business for that matter and when you start going down that road you end up with a state sponsored religion.

    Report this comment

    progressiveslayer  
    • chucksue351
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:59am

      or individuals that is what private homeowners insurance is for

      Report this comment

      chucksue351  
    • BasketFullOfPuppies
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 9:16am

      I agree to the extent that our government has no mandate to rebuild ANYTHING. Disaster assistance should come from the community and surrounding communities and then the state and surrounding states, all acting as neighbors. The federal government should not be a one-stop shop for disaster aid.

      Report this comment

      BasketFullOfPuppies  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 9:28am

      I have to agree with you on that, inch by inch the government would conclude – state funds used to rebuild churches = you belong to us now!

      Report this comment

      Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • oldslori
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:50am

    Keep the Government out of Churches! Churches usually have a group they are linked to such as Southern Baptist is linked to the Southern Baptist Convention they will usually help out with damages. Plus churches should be insured against damage just like everyone else.

    Report this comment

    oldslori  
  • snixy
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:43am

    if the federal govt aids any non-profit – they should extend aid to churches to rebuild – if the federal government aids any small business – then the federal government should help rebuild churches because they employ millions in America

    Report this comment

    snixy  
  • SocialistSlayer
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:43am

    For once ( and probably only once ) I have to agree with the government – No aid to any church no matter what the religion. It is not the governments responsibility.

    Report this comment

    SocialistSlayer  
  • watashbuddyfriend
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:43am

    No, the Taxpayers (Fed) should not bailout Churches of any denomination! Keep it separate!

    Report this comment

    watashbuddyfriend  
  • RightUnite
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:40am

    If the Government is going to pay for Mosques abroad to be rebuilt, or repaired, then they need to help local churches, otherwise no….

    Report this comment

    RightUnite  
  • HOOT_OWL
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:33am

    The Government should just take care of government buildings and infrastructure period. Any and all entities in the private sector should take of their own through insurance and such .

    Report this comment

    HOOT_OWL  
  • Glock29
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:24am

    Taxpayers should never have to pay to rebuild homes or businesses that were destroyed by mother nature….this is one of the many reasons we are broke! Our founders never intended any of these socialistic values to take place. Every year we get soaked from one or more natural disasters and this needs to end!

    Report this comment

    Glock29  
    • DeniseJ
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 1:59pm

      Indeed each state should allocate part of their state taxes toward a disaster fund. The FEDS need to keep out of it. Sorry, each state has their own vulnerable areas, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes……maybe some areas need to get insurance or stay unbuilt???

      Report this comment

      DeniseJ  
  • wolverine
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:19am

    They don’t pay property taxes and get several other perks as a non profit religious org why should it churches get federal money

    Report this comment

    wolverine  
    • sta
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:54am

      So every non-profit should be treated the same.
      Let the Humane Society and the ASPCA rebuild their own as well.

      Report this comment

      sta  
  • lgccac
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:13am

    Why should my tax dollars be used to rebuild anyone’s home? That’s what insurance is for.

    Report this comment

    lgccac  
  • Mapache
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:12am

    The government should not be bailing out anyone. They could make loans available to individuals and entities since it might be difficult climate to get them but Grants, NO. Not to individuals, not to businesses and not to non-profits. I hope the lesson has been learned. Insurance is an important part of being responsible OR you are a chump for paying for insurance since you can expect the government of take care of you.

    Report this comment

    Mapache  
    • DougHuffman
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 10:42am

      Why should the government be in the loan business? They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.

      Report this comment

      DougHuffman  
  • BIGZIPZ
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:09am

    Natural Disasters are an Act of God. So of course they should not be paid.

    Report this comment

    BIGZIPZ  
  • Eastinfection
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:01am

    The government shouldn’t be rebuilding any private property unless the government was responsible for destroying it.

    Pave the roads.
    Defend the border.

    Report this comment

    Eastinfection  
    • WarMunger_Al
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:14am

      Exactly. That is why the free market provides insurance plans. Didn’t have insurance? Your choice, tough luck. That is the way it should be.

      Report this comment

      WarMunger_Al  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:15am

      dont even pave the roads – let the states do that

      Report this comment

      soybomb315_II  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:28am

      Hi East,

      I noticed your post was at 8:01am and it reminded me of something I wanted to tell you.

      I know you like music so look up the bands “801″ and “Baron Von Tollbooth and the Chrome Nun”.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Usb26HywtU

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3thciHZ8Ve4

      Report this comment

      The-Monk  
    • Eastinfection
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 9:00am

      Wow Monk…

      thanks for that. 801 was cool. I’d never heard that before. Got a little scared when i saw Brian Eno in the by-line. lol. Simon Phillips is a killer drummer, too.
      Baron Von Tollbooth ….. lol! I haven’t heard that stuff since my Trippy Dippie Hippie dope days.. Probably 20 years ago… seemed better then.. wonder why? ;)

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogARPx1KKGI

      Report this comment

      Eastinfection  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 9:14am

      Hi East,

      801 was put together when Roxy Music broke up and Baron Von Tollbooth and the Chrome Nun was Jefferson Airplane after they broke up and before they became Jefferson Starship. Both are rare and good albums.

      Presently I listen to stuff like Hariprasad Chaurasia…. met him back stage in 1990 at Ruth Eckert Hall. I told him, “You fed my Soul” while hugging him. LOL

      http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=hariprasad+chaurasia&qpvt=hariprasad+chaurasia&FORM=VDRE#x0y114

      Report this comment

      The-Monk  
    • Eastinfection
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 9:25am

      Hey Monk,

      That was cool too.. although not all that different in a way from the other stuff you posted…
      Chaurasia would have fit right in with Eno, Starship, Jerry Garcia, etc….. THAT would have been one cool Super Group!

      Report this comment

      Eastinfection  
    • DeniseJ
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 1:55pm

      Defend the border!! Your comment makes me rethink mine. The states should take care of getting the utilities and roads clear of debris. Our all powerful fed. gov’t should concentrate on what they are here for……defending our large borders (Yeah, Canada too….they’re sneaking in undetected, not just Canadians but unidentified jihadists also). Where did we get to the idea the gov’t should fix everything after a disaster???

      Report this comment

      DeniseJ  
    • Toltepeceno
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 4:48pm

      Eastinfection 20 years ago, lol. Youngster.

      Report this comment

      Toltepeceno  
  • nonofmybiznez
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:00am

    Churches shouldn’t be beholding to any government (including Mosques). The people built the church and the people should rebuild them. If they paid for government flood insurance that is a different question. They should be given whatever the insurance provided for. God will provide.

    Report this comment

    nonofmybiznez  
  • Dodsfall
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 7:56am

    I question why the government needs to be in the business of bailing out anyone at all. The behemoth that has been created is because people expect the government to be all things to all people. This also allows the government to be all powerful.

    Report this comment

    Dodsfall  
  • DougHuffman
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 7:53am

    Government rebuild churches, nope, nor homes nor business. That’s why there’s insurance and that’s why there’s Obamascare. They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.

    Report this comment

    DougHuffman  
  • TexPat
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 7:47am

    The bigger question is why did they vote so much money for relief and then spend so much of it on PORK? We have a spending problem.

    Report this comment

    TexPat  
  • Mr.Fitnah
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 7:47am

    To do so would be against sharia . Only mosques can be built and repaired by the US government.

    Report this comment

    Mr.Fitnah  
    • gauge
      Posted on February 23, 2013 at 7:53am

      Exactly!
      remember the number of slimeball politicians that had something to day about the mosque being built at ground zero.

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      gauge  
  • mtsnj
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 7:41am

    Insurance is right. They have monies to build it you better have it to insure it. I can just see it now if we rebuild any church they’ll all want a piece of it… But fortunately we have something on our side “Aetheists” yeah!!!

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    mtsnj  
  • soybomb315_II
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 7:39am

    yea if your church doesnt have insurance then you are srewed. if you look to the government for help with building our church – then you shouldnt be surprised when the government starts meddling with other things in the church…..

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    soybomb315_II  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on February 23, 2013 at 7:28am

    Mother Nature can be a b i t c h.

    That’s why God created insurance. : )

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    The-Monk  

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