Is it constitutional to provide federal block and formula grant funds to religious organizations?
Court decisions over the past two decades have been characterized by an approach that emphasizes government neutrality towards, or equal treatment of, religious organizations. This approach encourages the government to treat all applicants equally, whether they are religious or secular. Although FBOs are just one type of community organization, some specific constitutional concerns apply when FBOs receive government funds. FBOs may not use direct government support for inherently religious activities.2 As noted in the discussion of Charitable Choice, this means that no part of a direct federal grant can be used for inherently religious activities such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization. Instead, organizations may use these direct government funds only to support the nonreligious services they provide. FBOs that receive direct government funds must take steps to separate, in time or location, their inherently religious activities from the government-funded services th
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