Topeka -- A luncheon organized by a Republican congressman to discuss President Bush's faith-based initiative has raised the ire of at least one Democratic lawmaker here.
U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun, R-Kan., plans to hold the luncheon April 6 in the state Capitol.
In an invitation to Kansas legislators, Ryun said he believes poverty, hunger and substance abuse can be attributed to "the decline of our nation's moral character."
And, he said, the federal government "cannot provide the solution."
Ryun said private charities have enjoyed the most success in "addressing the underlying problems of the soul."
Bush's establishment of the Faith-based and Community Initiatives Office will help charities get funding for programs without violating the constitutional prohibition on state-sponsored religion, he said.
But state Sen. Paul Feleciano, D-Wichita, said he was offended by Ryun's invitation.
He shot back a letter to the congressman:
"To claim that the federal government should not concern itself with poverty, hunger, and substance abuse is ridiculous," he wrote.
Feleciano also criticized Bush's tax plan, saying it will undermine tax fairness for millions of low- and middle-income people.
"The president's tax plan is an unnecessary bonus to the president's wealthy backers masquerading as an effort to improve our economy," Feleciano said.
Ryun has invited a controversial figure to speak at the luncheon, David Barton, the founder and president of a Texas-based group called WallBuilders. Barton claims the founding fathers intended for the United States to be a Christian nation and did not want separation of church and state.
Barton says on WallBuilders' Web site that the group works to elect officials and develop policies "which reflect Biblical values." The site can be found at www.WallBuilders.com
Barton often speaks on the importance of religion and morality in government and is a favorite of the so-called religious right.
Barton is paying his own way to the event, and Ryun is providing box lunches to the legislators, according to a Ryun spokesman.
-- Staff writer Scott Rothschild can be reached at (785) 354-4222.
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