What is interesting is that the Assemblies of God, usually identified as one of the worst of the Dominionist denominations is mentioned (one of their smaller churches is mentioned as having applied for a large sum of money).

They are so adamant about "free markets" and "lowering taxes" and "reducing spending"- yet here they are with their hands out.  Knowing how they pressure their members to give-give-give (give until it HURTS was a common theme when I belonged years ago), I doubt that their profits are so reduced that they can't stay in business.  I find it ironic and a bit disgusting about how they preach against "big government" and that a few Republicans (long identified as being steeplejacked- see dogemperor and others) have even considered the BP money to be a "shake-down", yet those churches (the source of the steeplejacking) are demanding money.

I'd almost bet those churches don't really need that money- and I fear that most of it will go into the pockets of the rich and not help the ordinary people- who need it the most.  I'm even more concerned that as ordinary people loose their livings, they will be put through the punitive wringer waiting for the homeless and very poor (gotta fix those broken poor people, you know- it's their own fault!).

If some dominionist churches ARE put out of business, I can imagine what the "religious right" will be saying... about "attacks by the devil" and stuff like that.  Whatever happened to "brought on by acceptance of gays" and stuff like that?  Oh... that's right- that's for those OTHER people and not for "Christians".

(Snark off.)  Seriously- this could have good consequences again as they realize that people suffer because of the misdeeds of others- like Big Business Greed, and not because of some mythical sin (that other Christians would disagree with them as being sin).  It could also have really BAD consequences- we've seen the rhetoric and violence from the dominionists increasing, and they could use this as an excuse to ramp up their plans to overthrow the US government.

This could be a good test of separation of church and state.  Dominionist churches don't help people- their "help" is connected with coercive strings and often insulting (sending preachers instead of workers into disaster areas for instance as I've seen)- again see dogemperor for examples and information on this.  I would argue that Pentecostal and Fundamentalist churches are little different from the dominionists in this regard.  So I hope that churches aren't directly helped- only people.  If people are helped, then they can give to churches- if they choose to (and that should be a FREE choice and not coerced!!!)

I would also ask those denominations why they aren't helping the churches in the affected areas and helping the poor- after all, that is what Jesus would expect.  They DO have the money- look at all the rich megachurch preachers (and that is a fact, not a stereotype)!!!