[UUPoly-L] Proposed Florida Constitutional Change - Act Now!

[Fritz Neumann <fritzcat66@yahoo.com>]

The following information regarding a proposed state constitutional change
should be of concern for Floridians interested in maintaining separation of
church and state, especially if you want to protect your rights to hold
alternative views on things such as relationships, because modifying the
constitution as proposed would allow the state to directly fund mainstream
religious activity, which is typically biased AGAINST alternative views.

This is still in an early stage, but let's do what we can to nip it in the
bud...

  >*< Fritz

================================================

The Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is scheduled to vote this
Wednesday, March 26, on a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution that
would allow the government to fund religious proselytizing activities and
discriminate among religious groups.

The proposed amendment would remove the prohibition on using tax dollars to
fund religious activities and allow government to earmark your tax dollars to
sponsor government-funded religion.

On Wednesday, March 26 the Commission will vote on Proposal CP0020. The
measure, if approved, would place on the ballot a devastating constitutional
amendment that removes the prohibition on using monies from the public treasury
to aid any church, sect or sectarian institution.  The measure would also
?prohibit individuals and entities from being barred from participating in
public programs because of their religion.?

See CP0020 for your self: http://www.floridatbrc.org/pdf/CP20C13_20_08.pdf

and staff analysis:
http://www.floridatbrc.org/pdf/CSforCP20AnalysisTBRC3_20_08.pdf

This amendment would allow government to fund religious proselytizing
activities and show preference for one religion over another. It would also
open the floodgates for discrimination by permitting government-funded
religious organizations to discriminate in who they serve.

Your voice is urgently needed. Copy and paste the URL below into your browser,
and tell the Commission that you do not agree with proposal CP0020 and strongly
urge them to vote against it.
http://www.floridatbrc.org/comments.php

You can copy and paste the e-mail below into the comments section on the
Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission?s web site
(http://www.floridatbrc.org/comments.php).

Sample email:

Dear members of the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission:

As a concerned Florida citizen, I am writing today to strongly urge you to VOTE
NO ON CP0020 ? a proposal that will allow the State to use my tax dollars to
bankroll government-funded religion. Voting for this proposal will remove the
constitutional prohibition ? part of our State?s Constitution for 140 years ?
that prevents government from favoring one particular religious group by
funding it. This will chip away at my and all Floridians? basic constitutional
rights to practice religion and be free from government-sponsored and funded
proselytizing.

We deserve ?government-free? religion. Government-funded religion only ensures
religious discrimination, strife and controversy. This is a dangerous proposal
with far-reaching implications for many Floridians. Government funded religion
squelches religious liberty ? a core American value; it does not encourage
religious liberty.

I urge you not to allow religious discrimination to be enshrined in Florida?s
Constitution.

Sincerely,




-----