Political grandstanding is driving this change. It’s not happening because there’s a desperate need to fund churches in order to ensure robust relief efforts, but it does make politicians look good to bolster churches, and anything that strikes of merging church and state is a boost to politicians like President Trump and his cronies on the Far Right. The more we allow for government regulations to be decided on political and religious grounds instead of a fact-based analysis of current community needs and compliance with constitutional principles, the more divided our country becomes.
This decision by FEMA harms communities affected by natural disasters by decreasing the amount of money that will go to buildings dedicated to helping all members of that community in favor of supporting sectarian houses of worship that only appeal to certain members of the community. Such a decision is morally problematic, constitutionally questionable, and undermines key American values. It should be reversed as soon as possible.
