The intent of our forefathers has not always been clear. You can read James Madison's diaries of the First Continental Congress, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and still be baffled by what they were thinking. There are, however, some basic rules that I understood when I was an up-and-coming citizen in grade school. One of the rules that made perfect sense was the one that stated church and state were separate entities.

It was made clear during fifth grade when Mrs. Howell, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. McBride taught me the basics of history, science, math and grammar. One of them explained that the government would stay out of the affairs of churches, and churches would stay out of the way of running the country. Many of the first white folks who decided to run off to North America did so because they didn't get to worship the way they wished in crotchety old Europe. They didn't want the government messing with their personal beliefs. So when we made the United States, the forefathers said "Fine, you worship how you want, and we'll leave you alone. We'll run the country, and you keep your religion out of it."

Clear as day. Perfect sense. I got it. Ten years old, and I knew "Church and state are separate." It was such a relief when I actually understood what adults were trying to teach me as a little kid.

Now, I don't know where President G.W. Bush went to grammar school (although I'm betting it was swankier than my small town public school), but I'm sure someone told him about this rule during some time during his upbringing. Nevertheless, he is proposing to let religious groups compete for federal money. The ten year old boy in me asked "That's not legal, is it?"

The new White House Press Secretary, Ari Fleischer, commented on the president's stance by saying "Some people will raise church and state issues. The president is prepared to take that on."

Take that on? Church and state issues? It's not an issue, it's a law. One week in office, and Bush is ready to take on a law that we made when we formed this nation.

I'm not saying his intentions are malevolent. Some of the best aid for the poor and less fortunate comes from church groups. My mother worked in a church pantry for years, giving out sacks full of groceries to those in need. When I worked at a homeless shelter, groups of many faiths stopped by with clothing, housewares, food and other donations. The people were polite and glad to help. There is nothing wrong the aid faith-based organizations give. I think it is great that churches, synagogues, and mosques use some of that collection plate cash to help out the less fortunate. A large part of any organized religious group should be to help out their fellow man.

But none of their collection plate money should go to financing campaigns of elected officials, and no state or federal money should go to funding the church pantry. The reason is simple--church and state are separate.

I grew up in a town that was at least 75 percent Christian, and I didn't get miffed about prayers before football games. It was mainly a moment of silence to hope no one gets hurt on the field. Nothing wrong with the intent, but as always, they mentioned God. As recently as last year, the town still had pre-game prayers over the loud speakers, and they got in trouble for it. If they took God out of the message and just had a moment of silence, and they could have gotten away with it. Throw God into the message, and it's no longer just a Friday night football game. It's a mini-revival. It's the same with any faith-based organization. Day care, food drives, clothing donations, or building houses in Guatemala. It is inevitable that God comes into the equation. These caring people can't help but attempt to convert. In fact, I fully expect them to try and convert people. It's part of the deal. What I don't expect is the government to help fund their efforts.

Why? Because church and state are separate.

I'm not raising an issue. I'm pointing out a law I learned and accepted when I was a little boy who went to church every Sunday. When exactly did our president learn about the differences between church and state? And when did he forget?

Chris Jungle assumes if the president gets to ignore age old rules, then he does as well.