Sunday 22 March 2009

Sarah Palin, the state and religion (updated)


The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is the part of the United States Bill of Rights that expressly prohibits the United States Congress from making laws "respecting an establishment of religion" or that prohibit the free exercise of religion, infringe the freedom of speech, infringe the freedom of the press, limit the right to peaceably assemble, or limit the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Although the First Amendment only explicitly applies to the Congress, the Supreme Court has interpreted it as applying to the executive and judicial branches. Additionally, in the 20th century, the Supreme Court held that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment applies the limitations of the First Amendment to each state, including any local government within a state.

The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibits the establishment of a national religion by the Congress or the preference of one religion over another, non-religion over religion, or religion over non-religion. Originally, the First Amendment only applied to the federal government.

Subsequently, under the incorporation doctrine, certain selected provisions were applied to states. It was not, however, until the middle and later years of the twentieth century that the Supreme Court began to interpret the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses in such a manner as to restrict the promotion of religion by state governments.

The camera closes in on Sarah Palin speaking to young missionaries, vowing from the pulpit to do her part to implement God's will from the governor's office.

What she didn't tell worshippers gathered at the Wasilla Assembly of God church in her hometown was that her appearance that day came courtesy of Alaskan taxpayers, who picked up the $639.50 tab for her airplane tickets and per diem fees.

An Associated Press review of the Republican vice presidential candidate's record as mayor and governor reveals her use of elected office to promote religious causes, sometimes at taxpayer expense and in ways that blur the line between church and state.

Since she took state office in late 2006, the governor and her family have spent more than $13,000 in taxpayer funds to attend at least 10 religious events and meetings with Christian pastors, including Franklin Graham, the son of evangelical preacher Billy Graham, records show.

I couldn't find the travel claims for 2006 and 2007, but in 2008 there were quite substantial amounts claimed for the first family to attend religious events.

Taking the First Amendment into account, can religious events be classed as state business?

UPDATE: Sarah Palin donated $25,000 state money to Juneau Christian Center (Assemblies of God).



Wasilla story from Daily Kos. Juneau Christian Center story and other interesting things.
Travel authorizations 2008.
.

6 comments:

LisanTX said...

She is so uneducated, she probably doesn't even know about the separatio of church and state. Even if she does, I think her religious beliefs trump any duty to office that a governor should have. She simply uses any opportunity for her own benefit.

Since she is cloaked in the authority of the position of governor, it takes a strong person to call her out on her misuse of power. Thanks to you Regina, and to the other folks who are pointing out her corruption and abuse of power.

Anonymous said...

Didn't she also give a church in Juneau 25,000 ? I have always been skeptical of the church/state and wondered how she can get way with this. Unfortunately, i think we are preaching to the choir here. The question is where do we go with this complaint. Who is the higher authority?

Anonymous said...

Andrew Sullivan discussed the difference between "Christianity" and "Christianist" in this blog entry:

22 Mar 2009 05:18 pm
"Sullivan Group Think"

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/

He mentions SP as follows:

"duplicitous farce of an apparatchik " good phrase....

Anonymous said...

This just infuriates me and I bet she and others like her think it is ok. It is not ok!!!! I am sure those of you in Alaska have seen the posts about how to impeach a gov. I wish a group of you would take the actual steps . It said it costs $100 to file the papers and I am sure you could easily get donations to cover. Mine would come! I am not sure how hard it would be to get that many signature though but who knows. She has made a lit if BAD moves!!

Anonymous said...

Looks like Sarah can add another ethics complaint to her growing list

Unknown said...

So, when will Alaskans finally depose the queen of Grifters and impeach GINO???