House Republicans are trying to obtain records that the State Department-funded groups promoting atheism in the Middle East and North Africa.

The group, called Defending Religious Freedom Inclusive of Atheist, Humanist, Non-Practicing, and Non-Affiliated Individuals, allegedly received a half a million dollar grant from the State Department.

House Republicans have demanded accountability from the State Department, particularly because giving government grants to religious groups, which humanists are classified as, could violate the Establishment clause of the constitution.

“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.”  A letter signed by eighteen House Republicans said.

The Epoch Times Reports–

Eighteen House Republicans, led by Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), are warning Secretary of State Antony Blinken to preserve all official documents and communications on a grant program promoting atheism overseas.

Their warning came in an Aug. 2 letter made public on Aug. 3 in which the House Republicans told Blinken that his department hasn’t responded to the group’s June request for information on a competitive grant notice providing up to $500,000 to organizations devoted to “promoting and Defending Religious Freedom Inclusive of Atheist, Humanist, Non-Practicing, and Non-Affiliated Individuals” in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as South and Central Asia.

“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,” the letter stated.