(Written & submitted by NYC Councilman David Yaasky & Hiram Monserrate) Can you tell the difference between a youth soccer league organized by a church and a youth soccer league organized by a religious school? Neither can we – but, according to the Bloomberg administration, funding the church league is fine, while funding the religious-school league would violate the First Amendment.

That’s just one example of how city policy on funding for religious institutions is shot through with inconsistency and incoherence. The confusion has been hitting home across the city in recent weeks, as nonprofit groups of all kinds have learned whether they received funds in the city’s budget for the new fiscal year.

Of course, the city government does not (and should not) allow taxpayer dollars to support sectarian activities such as worship services and religious instruction. On the other hand, it does (and should) fund religious institutions in their role as community organizations – but only sometimes.

The Bloomberg administration believes it’s OK to fund “operating expenses” of community programs run by religious institutions. This year’s budget, for example, provides funds for Beis Medrash of Kew Gardens, a synagogue, to operate youth programs and for Bethany Baptist Church of Jamaica to operate a senior center (and that’s just in the “B’s” – the budget funds literally hundreds of such programs).

But the administration refuses to support “capital expenses” – so the synagogue can’t use city funds to build a gym, and the church can’t use city funds to expand its senior-care facility.

Similarly, the administration will fund community programs run by a church or synagogue – but not programs run by a religious school.

These nonsensical distinctions place real obstacles in the path of proven religious institutions that seek to offer community programs.

The administration seems to prefer partnering with secular nonprofits to provide these programs. Yet religious institutions are often ideally situated to deliver effective – and non-religious – community programming.

Churches, synagogues, mosques and parochial schools typically have deep roots in their neighborhood. They know how to find the kids who need guidance and the volunteers willing to roll up their sleeves and work long hours. And, yes, they embody basic values – summarized by a love-your-neighbor philosophy – that make for healthy communities.

We understand that religion is a sensitive topic – as much so today as ever. And again, we cherish the First Amendment principles that forbid government intrusion into religious life. But it is a shame to allow that line of thinking to cut off the government from supporting highly valuable community programs.

We propose that Mayor Bloomberg convene a blue-ribbon panel – including respected members of the faith community, civil-liberties experts and former government officials – and charge this group with developing a sensible policy that allows maximum use of religious institutions without breaching the wall between church and state. The crazy-quilt practices of today’s city government are a far cry from that.

(David Yassky and Hiram Monserrate are members of the NYC Council)