WASHINGTON (JTA) — The Orthodox Union urged Florida voters to pass a 2012 ballot that would repeal a measure banning funding of religious institutions.
"It’s long past time Florida’s faith-based community was on equal footing with other non-profits across the state," said a statement May 6 from the umbrella group, praising the Florida legislature for placing the "Blaine Amendment" repeal on the ballot.
A number of states passed such amendments in the late 19th century. They were named for a Maine congressman, James Blaine, who sought separation of church and state.
A number of anti-Catholic Protestants latched onto his amendment as a means of thwarting expansion of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Orthodox Union and others seeking repeal of Blaine Amendments have focused on the anti-Catholic fervor in its origins to persuade legislatures to repeal it.
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