Rudy PulidoLong-time Board member Rudy Pulido’s Letter to the Editor was published in today’s St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “Some Churches Sadly Succumb to Lure of Federal Money”.

Regarding the editorial: “‘Small business’ relief funds went to wealthy churches, well-heeled lawyers.’ (July 7)”: A first-century argument broke out between religious leaders concerning the remarkable success of a fledgling religious group yet to be known as Christians. The attempt to suppress the new group was for a time halted by the words of a religious leader who said, and I paraphrase here: If the movement is from God, it cannot be stopped.

These words come to mind as I consider the millions of federal dollars that have made their way into churches through the Paycheck Protection Program. Rather than call church and staff members to sacrifice in order to continue ministries, churches that once held to the tenet of the separation of church and state succumbed to the temptation of accepting federal dollars these churches should be honest and inform members that some of their ministries are now made possible by the federal government, rather than God working in the lives of its members.

Rev. Rudy Pulido, St. Louis County

St. Louis had the largest continent (six) of any Chapter of AU at the annual National meeting in Washington, on October 29 and 30. It was an informative and inspirational experience, featuring our new President and CEO, Rachel Laser (in the middle of the picture).  Highlights of the meeting can be found in the December issue of Church and State. A new video that gives a succinct view of what AU stands for is now available:  Click here to watch it!

We had a chance to greet our long-time Executive Director, Barry Lynn, who was looking healthy after his heart attack last year.

Article VI, Clause 3 of the constitution guarantees that citizens are not required to have a specific set of religious beliefs, or any at all, in order to exercise their rights.  Nevertheless, Americans have an aversion to atheists in public life, as is described a thoughtful review, “Without a Prayer: Why are Americans Still Uncomfortable with Atheism” by Casey Cep in the October 29 New Yorker of two books: “Godless Citizens in a Godly Republic: Atheists in American Public Life”(Norton) by Cornell Professors R. Laurence Moore and Isaac Kramnick and “Seven Types of Atheism” (Farrar, Straus & Giroux) by philosopher John Gray. If you don’t get to the books, the review is well worth reading. Click on the article link above.