After receiving no response from the Biden administration on concerns over a controversial U.S. State Department grant program “committed to the practice and spread of atheism and humanism, a group of congressmen led by Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) sent a follow up letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The letter reiterated the group's original questions, demanded a briefing from Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) Lisa Peterson and instructed the State Department to collect and retain all documents and communications pertaining to the program.
"Although we asked the State Department to answer a series of questions no later than July 15, 2022, no responses have been provided thus far, suggesting either that the Department has chosen to disregard Secretary Blinken’s frequent, express instructions for its employees to work closely with Congress, or that it has something to hide," Banks wrote. "Americans deserve to know why the State Department is committed to spreading atheism abroad, and which foreign, anti-religious groups are receiving their tax dollars."
On June 30, Banks and other members of Congress sent an official letter to Biden and Blinkin requesting additional information related to a State Department grant program meant to "promote atheism" across the world. The members wrote to express their "grave concern" that appropriated funds were being misused by the State Department in promoting atheism as an official belief system.
"To be clear, atheism and 'humanism' are official belief systems," the letter read. "As an initial matter, therefore, we would like to know what other United States government programs supported with appropriated funds are being used either to encourage, inculcate or to disparage any official belief system – atheist, humanist, Christian, Muslim or otherwise."
Banks, who chairs the Republican Study Committee (RSC) as well as serves on the Armed Services, Education and Labor, and Veteran's Affairs Committees, was joined by several other Members of Congress signing onto both letters expressing concern over the State Department's atheism-focused grant program.
The grant program in question states certain outcomes should "particularly" focus on atheists and nonbelievers. Some of the expected outcomes from the program include "increased capacity among members of atheist and heterodox individuals to form or join networks or organizations, implement advocacy campaigns and to engage with the public on issues of tolerance and acceptance of all regardless of faith," and "increased awareness and understanding among relevant government officials and law enforcement of the value and importance of human rights, peace, mutual respect, tolerance and inclusion for all, irrespective of one’s religion or beliefs."
