State Dept will not say where atheist grant money is going.

From yon article:

The sources said the State Department would not tell the GOP lawmakers and staff on the call which organizations or individuals the grants are going to, citing "security concerns."

Click to expand...

(emphasis mine)

The State Department didn’t want to say things over the phone?
They’re not blabbermouths over at State, this is known.

I've kept an eye on this story since it emerged months ago. One thing to keep in mind is that these funds are being used to support groups that foster religious tolerance in their countries. In addition to religious organizations, there are grants for secular/atheist organizations.

So the framing that we are 'funding atheism abroad' is not correct. We are funding religious toleration efforts across the religious spectrum.

That said, I would expect State to be more responsive. But since State won't tell FOX what they told Congress, we don't have a good way to verify the claims being made.

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One aspect to consider. Let's say you are a secular organization in Iran or Saudi Arabia (or Alabama). I can see legitimate security concerns about such a group being identified as being funded by the US government.

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Further Background.
OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

The office carries out its mission through:

• Close cooperation with relevant actors to address problems of religious freedom, including foreign government officials at all levels, religious and human rights groups in the United States and abroad, and the independent United States Commission on International Religious Freedom .
• Sponsorship and support of NGOs that promote reconciliation in disputes where groups are divided along lines of religious identity.