Debate on Religious Groups Dealing with Social Problems January 16, 2001
News Summary
The debate on religious organizations treating people with chemical dependency grows with President-elect George W. Bush's plans to establish an "office of faith-based programs" in the White House, the Associated Press reported Jan. 10."Reaching out to faith-based groups that have a proven record of saving and changing lives is a top priority of President-elect Bush," said Bush transition spokesman Scott McClellan.
Two issues surrounding Bush's proposal to allow government to help religious groups deal with social problems are the threat to churches' independence and the separation of church and state. McClellan said the programs would not discriminate between religious groups or people outside organized religion and would be voluntary. He added that alternatives would be provided to those who prefer not to be involved with religious groups.
"The American public hasn't thought much about this," said pollster Andrew Kohut. "This is a relatively new thing. We know that in the area of religion in public life, the public responds favorably to the idea of religion being involved in the solution of national problems. But how favorably depends on what's being emphasized."
Brent Walker, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee, said government financing for religious groups is "the wrong way to do right."
"We think it's unconstitutional and will result in invasive regulation and excessive entanglement between church and state," said Walker.
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