Religion

How much should be supported with yours and my tax dollars? Here's what I think: None.

I choose to support some religious organizations, like the Union Gospel Mission. I choose not to support the Salvation Army, due to its historic anti-LGBTQ bias. Both offer assistance to the homeless. Neither should receive a penny of tax-sourced funds. I can choose to support the ones I like, but nobody should be forced to do so.

When I was in the USAF, the commander of one base where I was stationed decided that he would have 100% participation from everyone in a United Way campaign. I refused, because some things funded by that organization did not meet my criteria. Now, I don't know if I was the only holdout, but I found myself, one day, standing at attention in a General's office.

I still refused, and when that General threatened me, I explained that the Senator from my state was an acquaintance of my family's and that my next step would be a telephone cal to him. I was summarily dismissed.

A month later, the USAF decided that I qualified for an early release from my enlistment, which pleased me a great deal at the time. So, I got my Honorable Discharge a few months early, and the asshole General got his 100% participation.

Screw tax dollars going to religious organizations! I choose the organizations to which I contribute, thank you very much. I don't allow others to choose for me.