State Subsidy of Denominational Meeting

[Steven Jamar]

This one strikes me as one where the non-discrimination principle  
works well -- if the state is not favoring one sect over another or  
is not favoring a religious group over a non-religious group, and if  
it has a secular motivation (as it clearly would here), I think this  
sort of benefit is ok.

Strict separations would certainly see any such subsidy as a  
violation.  I see it as problematic and would vote against doing it.

I thought Rosenberger was a step too far -- but if that was ok, this  
must be.

Steve

On Jun 5, 2006, at 11:09 AM, Lawyer2974 at aol.com wrote:

> The United Church of Christ was scheduled to hold its biannual  
> gathering at the new Hartford Convention Center...due to a labor  
> dispute, the UCC was going to move the location of the gathering.   
> The Governor of Connecticut is seeking to keep the meeting which  
> will generate dollars for the local economy.  The state may pick up  
> the tab of renting a new location in Hartford, the old Hartford  
> Civic Center.  Thoughts anyone on the constitutionality of a state  
> subsidizing the cost of the venue for a religous denomination  
> gathering?.....
>
> The United Church of Christ will keep its 2007 national convention  
> in Hartford, but it won't be held at the year-old Connecticut  
> Convention Center as all had hoped.
>
> Instead, following a last-minute intervention by Gov. M. Jodi Rell,  
> the church will hold its event at the decades-old Civic Center,  
> keeping its people, and their money, in Hartford.
>
> "They told me that the governor wants very much to make this work,  
> and that they will be taking care of the $100,000 fee for the Civic  
> Center," said Edith A. Guffey, associate general minister of the  
> United Church of Christ. "It's a very generous assistance, and  
> we're very appreciative of it."
>
> Donald C. Clark, Jr.
> 2333 Waukegan Road
> Suite 160
> Bannockburn, Illinois 60015
> 847-236-0900
> 847-236-0909 (fax)
>
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-- 
Prof. Steven D. Jamar                                 vox:  202-806-8017
Howard University School of Law                       fax:  202-806-8428
2900 Van Ness Street NW                         
mailto:stevenjamar at gmail.com
Washington, DC  20008      http://www.law.howard.edu/faculty/pages/jamar

"Never doubt that the work of a small group of thoughtful, committed  
citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever  
has."

Margaret Meade


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