President George Bushs plan to use federal money to fund
faith-based social programs has been introduced into Congress – amidst
continued concerns.
President George Bushs plan to use federal money to fund
faith-based social programs has been introduced into Congress – amidst
continued concerns.
The plan has drawn criticism from those who say it represents
a violation of church and state. It also has been the cause for concern among
many evangelicals who worry about minority faiths benefiting from the program
and about possible government interference in the work of churches and faith
communities that accept federal funds.
Bush already has set up offices in five federal departments
to help remove barriers that hinder faith-based groups from working with government
to help the needy.
Another aspect of the plan would allow non-itemizing taxpayers
to deduct charitable contributions. The move has been well-received and is expected
to be approved.
However, the proposal to funnel government funds to faith-based
groups offering social services is expected to stall in the United States Senate.
Still, it is included in legislation recently introduced in
the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation received one of the top 10
bill numbers – H.R. 7 – indicating its priority.
House leaders indicated they would push for full approval of
the bill, which also would allow tax-free IRA charitable rollovers and expand
the charitable deduction to include the donation of food products by non-corporate
taxpayers.
House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., said faith-based groups
are the “best remedy” for various social ills and are more effective
than government because they “provide that little extra something … to
help people change their lives.”
Meanwhile, a sponsor of the House measure acknowledged key
concerns of religious leaders in his comments.
Even though the legislation does not call for it, Rep. Tony
Hall, D-Ohio, urged churches to set up separate non-profit corporations to receive
federal money. “Theyre going to have to separate the money,”
he said. “They cant use (it) for religious instruction, proselytizing.
Anytime you get federal money, its always looked at. They will be audited.”
Hall also acknowledged concerns about the impact of the legislation
on hiring by faith-based groups.
Places of worship now are exempt from the law that prohibits
discrimination in hiring. The exemption was made so churches could limit hiring
to people of their own faith.
The exemption would not change – but Hall agreed lawsuits
are likely once churches start accepting federal money and continue to discriminate
in their hiring practices.
Meanwhile, on a related note, the director of the faith-based
initiatives office recently apologized to Southern Baptist leaders for remarks
categorizing evangelical Christians as insensitive to the needs of the poor.
John DiIulio said he was not referring to Southern Baptists
in a March speech that rankled many evangelicals. DiIulio apologized after meeting
with leaders, who presented a summary of all that Southern Baptists do at national,
state and local levels in terms of urban and social ministries.
Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission President
Richard Land also noted: “We are not Johnny-come-latelys to an understanding
that government is most often not a friend of religion. Baptists have a 300-year
history of believing that the state should not fund religion, and the state
should not interfere with the churchs right to exercise its religious
beliefs as it feels led to do.”
(Based on Associated Baptist Press and Baptist Press releases)