Failure to respond to a congressional request for information in a timely manner has put a spotlight on a controversial State Department grant program regarding atheists and has opened the door to pointed criticism.
The source of the controversy is the State Department grant program “DRL FY20 IRF Promoting and Defending Religious Freedom Inclusive of Atheist, Humanist, Non-Practicing and Non-Affiliated Individuals.” Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., led a group of congressional members in writing a letter, dated June 30, sharing their concerns.
“The Biden State Department is hiding the extent of its woke radicalism,” Banks said in a statement provided to State Newswire. “Their inexcusable support for atheist groups in Central Asia puts them in league with the Chinese Communist Party and violates Americans’ core principles. When Republicans retake the majority, we need to stop the radical left from spending Americans’ tax dollars on anti-American initiatives.”
After the Biden Administration failed to respond to concerns over the grant program “committed to the practice and spread of atheism and humanism," the group sent a follow-up letter Aug. 2 to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. They demanded a briefing from Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Lisa Peterson, and told the Department to “collect, retain, and preserve all documents, communications and other records” which may be “potentially responsive to a future congressional inquiry, request, investigation or subpoena.”
In his first letter, Banks, the chairman of the Republican Study Committee, asked for information related to the grant program meant to “promote atheism” across the world. They expressed “grave concern” funds were being misused by the State Department in promoting atheism as an official belief system. They originally asked for responses no later than July 15. The State Department has reportedly failed to answer.
“To be clear, atheism and ‘humanism’ are official belief systems,” the June 30 letter said. “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.”
The grant program said it should particularly focus on atheists and nonbelievers, according to its funding opportunity announcement. Expected outcomes 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.”
The State Department reported government officials and law enforcement would gain an increased awareness and understanding about the value of human rights, peace, mutual respect, tolerance and inclusion, no matter what their religion or beliefs are, according to the announcement.
Banks serves on the Armed Services, Education and Labor and Veteran's Affairs Committees, according to his website.
