Faith-Based Soup Kitchen

Bartlet cites this soup kitchen in the Oval Office to counter Senators Schuler and Choate's push for faith-based initiatives. He argues that soup kitchens serve neutral food like soup to anyone in need, making them eligible for subsidies, unlike programs enforcing religious discrimination. No one handles or displays it; the example sharpens Bartlet's constitutional stance during tense negotiations.

2 appearances

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S4E2 · 20 Hours in America Part II

Church, State and the Missing Secretary

The soup kitchen is invoked as the illustrative example that collapses the abstract policy into concrete moral terms: the soup itself is neutral and acceptable for subsidy, but programs run by religious organizations that permit discriminatory practices are constitutionally disqualifying.

Before: Hypothetical example invoked by Senators as active community service eligible for support.

After: Reconceptualized by Bartlet as legally neutral (the soup) but politically and constitutionally limited when tied to discriminatory practices.

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S4E2 · 20 Hours in America Part II

The President's Small-Scale Rage

The 'Faith-Based Soup Kitchen' functions as a rhetorical prop in the policy exchange: Senator Schuler's hypothetical about 'Christian soup' prompts Bartlet to delineate constitutional limits and pivot into personnel complaints, linking high policy and petty grievance.

Before: Conceptual example raised in the Oval Office debate about faith-based funding; actively referenced by Senator Schuler.

After: Remains a debated hypothetical used to close the policy exchange; not physically altered.

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