In response to Steve Engard’s letter “Paycheck program mismanaged” (Our Readers’ Views, July 16), in which he was flabbergasted that our tax dollars are being spent to support religious organizations — perhaps he is a little misinformed. As a Catholic, I am proud to defend the church. It has opened the first hospitals, the first colleges, the first orphanages and soup kitchens. It serves the needy, the poor, the elderly, the destitute, the lepers (Mother Teresa and her order, and the countless orders of those who have given up their whole lives to serve God and the world over) for hundreds of years, and continues to do so.
I could go on and on, but the church has done much, much more then the government and the average American has ever done. People who attend church are already taxed, and tithe to our churches so they can keep running, and in today’s world, especially during this time, God knows we need the church, the prayers, and the countless hours of selfless volunteers.
