Application for employment

So you'd like to work from the Head Start program?
- Oh yes very much so.

Why in particular are you interested in working in the Head Start program?
- I love children and I think it's very important that all children have a fair shot at a quality education. I want to make sure that even those children with less financial means are able to participate in quality pre-school.

Good Good. You sound like a perfect candidate.... I just have one more question. You are Christian correct?
- Well no I was raised and am agnostic.

Oh I'm sorry you are not qualified to help these children... I would suggest you try looking in to hell. I think they have a spot reserved for you.

Our Republican representatives and a few "democrats" are placating the religious right again. A bunch of progressive groups have posted links to this story today. I first read it on http://www.tompaine.com/ 's newsworthy section. American's United for Separation of Church and State (http://www.au.org/)followed quickly with a press release of their own.

I fail to understand how a person's faith has any baring on that personal ability to work for an organization like Head Start. Is a Jew or an atheist really going to be unable to help the Head Start children receive their needed support?

The argument given is that some faith-based groups get government money for their work with the Head Start program and it would be an abomination for these faith based groups to have to hire some one of a different faith.

First of all let's just get rid of public tax dollars going to religious group.... that solves this and a number of other problems, not to mention it doesn't violate the constitution.

Second if these religious groups are so bigoted and intolerant that they cannot work with someone of a different faith why should they be allowed to provide a service to the general public? If the KKK wanted to start their own Head Start program there would be public outrage. No one wants any taxes dollars to go to intolerant and bigoted groups at all, no matter what good they might be trying to do. These groups have to provide support to the children regardless of the kid's faith. It is arbitrary to say faith matters in one part of the program and not another.

Lastly Rep. Virginia Foxx is quoted as saying "This is about our children, and denying them exemplary services just because the organization happens to be a religious one is just cruel." But that isn't what the argument is about. Much to my personal displeasure that has already been decided, religious groups are allowed to participate with government money in the head start program. This argument is about these religious groups to express their own bigotry with government money, by not hiring any one doesn't agree with them. It's called a straw man argument it is a fallacy.

Hopefully the Senate will stop this... cause the Supreme Court with our new judges will be no help by that the issue comes to it.