Public funds for religious institutions?

[bjs1]

The background:
In the state where I live the law is that no public funds can be used to support religious institutions. Generally, I agree with this but a recent circumstance caused me to question the wisdom.

My church runs a grief program to help those who have lost a loved one. It is, of course, religious in nature. We have been asked by the local prison to run a similar program for inmates. The prison is large enough that, according the chaplin, at least one inmate loses a loved one every week - sometimes three or four in a single week.

We have the volunteers to run the program. To run the program effectively there is a cost for materials. The cost is not excessive, but it is enough that to run this program we have to consider what other ministry we will cut or scale back.

There is state money set aside for programs like this, but since this is a religious program the law prevents the state from paying for the materials. There is not a secular group willing to volunteer to run the program in our place.

For Debater: Is it best for states to outlaw any funds going to religious groups, or should the law allow local administrators more freedom in how to best do their jobs?

[Purple Knight]

They literally teach people that they're powerless and must call upon God to stop them from drinking. This seems really unhealthy.

Emphasis mine. I'm pretty sure that's just Christianity writ large.

It's really perverse to teach alcoholics that, though. They should focus on finding techniques that work, then teaching them, not shaming people and telling them only God can help them.

[William]

I wonder why atheists don't jump to the cause, since they are not associated with religious orgs, they should be able to meet the criteria for state funding?

[marke]

The background:
In the state where I live the law is that no public funds can be used to support religious institutions. Generally, I agree with this but a recent circumstance caused me to question the wisdom.

My church runs a grief program to help those who have lost a loved one. It is, of course, religious in nature. We have been asked by the local prison to run a similar program for inmates. The prison is large enough that, according the chaplin, at least one inmate loses a loved one every week - sometimes three or four in a single week.

We have the volunteers to run the program. To run the program effectively there is a cost for materials. The cost is not excessive, but it is enough that to run this program we have to consider what other ministry we will cut or scale back.

There is state money set aside for programs like this, but since this is a religious program the law prevents the state from paying for the materials. There is not a secular group willing to volunteer to run the program in our place.

For Debater: Is it best for states to outlaw any funds going to religious groups, or should the law allow local administrators more freedom in how to best do their jobs?

In a world ruled by the devil funds have been plentiful for educating kids to disrespect or disbelieve in God but funding is all but non-existent for schools that teach proper respect for God.