The Washington, D.C.-based church-state watchdog group charges that a letter from religious groups to the nation's 50 state governors seeking social service subsidies ignores critical First Amendment safeguards separating religion and government.

According to news media accounts, Call to Renewal's Jim Wallis and some 40 other religious leaders plan to send a joint letter this week pushing for broad use of the "charitable choice" provisions of the federal welfare reform law passed by Congress in 1996. Those provisions require states to consider funding churches and other houses of worship when they set up social service programs.

Said Americans United Executive Director Barry W. Lynn, "The Constitution forbids entanglement between church and state. Taxpayer dollars may not be used to advance religion."

Lynn, a long-time civil liberties lawyer (and United Church of Christ minister), said Americans United will file suit if necessary to block misuse of taxpayer dollars.

Lynn said the "charitable choice" law is flawed for at least four reasons.

"This law forces taxpayers to support houses of worship they may not believe in," said Lynn. "It subjects needy families to the possibility of religious coercion when they seek help through government-funded programs. It allows churches to discriminate on religious grounds in hiring while using public funds. And in the long run, it is likely to undermine the religious character of church-based social work, subjecting those programs to government regulations and audits. "

Americans United is preparing a formal letter to all 50 governors, advising them about the legal implications of "charitable choice." In addition, the group has drafted guidelines for churches who are considering participation in the programs.

Americans United: WWW site: http://www.au.org/