Obama Wants to Expand Role of Religious Groups

[Lightkeeper]

Obama Wants to Expand Role of Religious Groups
Jae C. Hong/Associated Press
Senator Barack Obama spoke about faith in Zanesville, Ohio, on Tuesday.

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By JEFF ZELENY and BRIAN KNOWLTON
Published: July 2, 2008
ZANESVILLE, Ohio — With an eye toward courting evangelical voters, Senator Barack Obama arrived here on Tuesday to present a plan to expand on President Bush’s program of investing federal money in religious-based initiatives that are intended to fight poverty and perform community aid work.

Election GuideMore Politics News“The fact is, the challenges we face today from saving our planet to ending poverty — are simply too big for government to solve alone,” Mr. Obama is expected to say, according to a prepared text of his remarks. “We need all hands on deck.”

On the second day of a weeklong tour intended to highlight his values, Mr. Obama traveled to the battleground state of Ohio on Tuesday to present his proposal to get religious charities more involved in government programs. He is scheduled to give an afternoon speech here outside of the Eastside Community Ministry, a program providing food, clothes and youth ministry.

“Now, I know there are some who bristle at the notion that faith has a place in the public square,” Mr. Obama intends to say. “But the fact is, leaders in both parties have recognized the value of a partnership between the White House and faith-based groups.”

He thus embraced the heart of a program, established early in the Bush administration, that critics say blurs the constitutional separation of church and state. Mr. Obama made clear, however, that he would work to ensure that charitable groups receiving government funds be carefully monitored to prevent them from using the money to proselytize and to prevent any religion-based discrimination against potential recipients or employees.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/02/us...MtyK5qK17L5c3A

What are your thoughts on this?

[evangelicalhumanist]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

What are your thoughts on this?

I think Mr. Obama is making a terrible mistake. As it stands right now, those "faith based" charities are receiving taxpayers' money, and yet can discriminate in hiring practices at their leisure -- against those of other religions, no religion, gays, single mothers, anybody they don't like.

And not only that, they can discriminate against those of different beliefs in how their charities distribute this taxpayer largesse, as well. Taxpayers' money, if it is to be used for such things as poverty, community work, social programs, absolutely must be distributed on a fair and unbiased basis. Faith-based doesn't cut it.

And I also think this will come back to bite him, from the Democratic side. Talk about stupidly caving in. He should definitely have known better. The man lost any respect I might have had for him with that one stupid move. He's lucky I can't vote in U.S. elections!

[metis]

Even though I agree with EH in regards that how can this be done fairly, I think Obama has done this in a move towards the center whereas he doesn't get labeled as being against religion-- especially Christianity. Remember the Rev. Wright situation he found himself in.

Is he pandering for votes? Gee, do politicians do that sometimes?

[Aaron]

Bad idea.

[statrei]

EH, did you miss this from the end of the article?

Mr. Obama made clear, however, that he would work to ensure that charitable groups receiving government funds be carefully monitored to prevent them

[evangelicalhumanist]

Originally Posted by statrei

EH, did you miss this from the end of the article?

Frankly, I think it is naive to assume that even the President can force a religious group to hire a gay person or an atheist, or provide their charitable services to a girl intent on having an abortion. The mere attempt would raise a firestorm of protest that would keep CNN and Fox busy 24-7!

[statrei]

Originally Posted by evangelicalhumanist

Frankly, I think it is naive to assume that even the President can force a religious group to hire a gay person or an atheist, or provide their charitable services to a girl intent on having an abortion. The mere attempt would raise a firestorm of protest that would keep CNN and Fox busy 24-7!

The importance of that statement is that it provides him with an out while he courts the center.

[evangelicalhumanist]

Originally Posted by statrei

The importance of that statement is that it provides him with an out while he courts the center.

The importance of courting the center with a falsehood is that it is a falsehood. Doesn't inspire me with confidence.

[statrei]

Originally Posted by evangelicalhumanist

The importance of courting the center with a falsehood is that it is a falsehood. Doesn't inspire me with confidence.

I am not so certain that it is a falsehood. Reminds me of a quote from a preacher this weekend who submitted that he believed all the doctrines of his church but he interprets them differently from most people. Obama's view of faith-based initiatives does not have to be the same as is generally accepted and the role of a leader is to mold the thinking of the people.