Granholm jumps on faith-based bandwagon

Governor Jennifer Granholm of Michigan sometimes makes me uncomfortable. First there was the matter of her breaking her campaign promise to veto any dove-hunting bill that came across her desk. Once elected, she signed into law a bill that changed the status of the mourning dove from songbird to game bird in order to establish a hunting season for it.

Now, as The Wall of Separation reports, Granholm has announced that the state's government will open a faith-based initiatives office to provide money for religious groups who provide social services. Such an action may violate Michigan's constitution, as The Wall of Separation points out:

The state constitution's Article I, sec. 4, states: "No money shall be appropriated or drawn from the treasury for the benefit of any religious sect or society, theological or religious seminary; nor shall property belonging to the state be appropriated for any such purpose."

But constitutional matters aside, the establishment of faith-based services risks the wink-nudge tolerance of discrimination in hiring, as well as the exploitation of vulnerable people. It isn't a good idea.