Obama’s Decision to Obama’s Decision to Keep Faith Based Keep Faith Based

InitiativesInitiatives

VOICE of AMERICAVOICE of AMERICA

According to an August 2008 Pew Survey, According to an August 2008 Pew Survey, 67 percent of Americans favor allowing 67 percent of Americans favor allowing churches and other houses of worship to churches and other houses of worship to apply, along with other organizations, for apply, along with other organizations, for government funding to provide social government funding to provide social services.  services. 

But nearly three-quarters of Americans, But nearly three-quarters of Americans, 73 73 percent,percent, say religious organizations say religious organizations receiving funds should not be allowed to hirereceiving funds should not be allowed to hire only only people who share their religious people who share their religious beliefs.  beliefs. 

There are three critical There are three critical periods in the federal periods in the federal

government's changing government's changing

policy on this issue:policy on this issue:

Between 1972 and 1996, Between 1972 and 1996,

Between 1996 and 2001, Between 1996 and 2001,

And between 2001 and today. And between 2001 and today.

Reagan and Good Reagan and Good SamaritanSamaritan

The Date: April 14, 1982 The Date: April 14, 1982 The Time: LunchThe Time: Lunch The Attire: Business CasualThe Attire: Business Casual The Place: The State Dining Room, The Place: The State Dining Room, S.S. WhitehouseS.S. Whitehouse

At a luncheon speech in the State Dining Room, President At a luncheon speech in the State Dining Room, President ReaganReagan told that group of more than 100 religious leaders told that group of more than 100 religious leaders ““that that churches and voluntary groups should accept more churches and voluntary groups should accept more responsibility for the needy rather than leaving it to the responsibility for the needy rather than leaving it to the bureaucracybureaucracy.” .”

President President ReaganReagan had created a ‘public devil’ - “the government had created a ‘public devil’ - “the government bureaucrat”- and a ‘public model’ - the Good Samaritan who in the bureaucrat”- and a ‘public model’ - the Good Samaritan who in the long term has become the symbol that long term has become the symbol that faithfaith basedbased services are services are really better than non really better than non faithfaith--basedbased services.  services. 

Bush SeniorBush Senior The first President George Bush's now famous The first President George Bush's now famous

"Thousand Points of Light" "Thousand Points of Light" (A Peggy Noonan catch phrase) campaign speech (A Peggy Noonan catch phrase) campaign speech

simultaneously called for decreased governmental simultaneously called for decreased governmental spending and increased local voluntary support for spending and increased local voluntary support for social welfare efforts. social welfare efforts.

Two year later, a March 8th, 1990 request for new Two year later, a March 8th, 1990 request for new program proposals clearly laced the program proposals clearly laced the ReaganReagan//BushBush view directly into policy: view directly into policy:

""Human service needs are best defined Human service needs are best defined through institutions and organizations at the through institutions and organizations at the local level."local level."

Laying the Groundwork for Laying the Groundwork for Charitable ChoiceCharitable Choice

President Clinton approved Charitable Choice in the 1996 federal President Clinton approved Charitable Choice in the 1996 federal welfare reform law, which stated: welfare reform law, which stated:

"No [public] funds provided directly to institutions or "No [public] funds provided directly to institutions or organizations to provide services or administer organizations to provide services or administer programs ... shall be [used] for sectarian worship, programs ... shall be [used] for sectarian worship, instruction, or proselytization." instruction, or proselytization."

At the same time, however, the provision expanded religious At the same time, however, the provision expanded religious nonprofits' rights to use religious properties for tax-supported nonprofits' rights to use religious properties for tax-supported social service delivery purposes without having to remove social service delivery purposes without having to remove religious icons, change internal governance or otherwise religious icons, change internal governance or otherwise secularize their organizations.secularize their organizations.

96’-01: Charitable Choice. 96’-01: Charitable Choice. A DefinitionA Definition

Charitable choiceCharitable choice refers to direct refers to direct government funding of religious government funding of religious organizations to provide social services. organizations to provide social services. Created in 1996, charitable choice allows Created in 1996, charitable choice allows government officials to purchase services government officials to purchase services from religious providers using from religious providers using Temporary Assistance for Needy FamiliesTemporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Welfare-to-Work, and (TANF), Welfare-to-Work, and Community Services Block GrantCommunity Services Block Grant (CSBG) (CSBG) funds. funds.

Perhaps the most controversial Perhaps the most controversial aspect of “Charitable Choice” is aspect of “Charitable Choice” is

that it allows employment that it allows employment discrimination based on religion discrimination based on religion

with respect to government-funded with respect to government-funded positions. positions.

Mitchell v. Helms: Paving W’s Mitchell v. Helms: Paving W’s Yellow Brick RoadYellow Brick Road

In 2000, in In 2000, in Mitchell v. HelmsMitchell v. Helms, the , the Supreme Court decision to allow the Supreme Court decision to allow the government to fund all religious government to fund all religious groups directly as long as there was groups directly as long as there was some assurance that the groups would some assurance that the groups would use the money only for secular use the money only for secular programs. programs.

The Court decided that aid to religious The Court decided that aid to religious groups can be made so long as it groups can be made so long as it furthers some legitimate secular furthers some legitimate secular purpose and is granted in the same purpose and is granted in the same manner to non-religious groupsmanner to non-religious groups

HEY YOU, JOURNALIST!HEY YOU, JOURNALIST!

Ernest MayErnest May

What would have been the reaction 30 years ago, if What would have been the reaction 30 years ago, if someone said that in the year 2001, the president of someone said that in the year 2001, the president of the United States would announce the establishment the United States would announce the establishment of a White House Office of of a White House Office of FaithFaith BasedBased and and Community Community InitiativesInitiatives?  Could you put it in context? ?  Could you put it in context?

W: Executive Order, Please! W: Executive Order, Please! Bush expanded on the Charitable Choice provisions Bush expanded on the Charitable Choice provisions

by creating the “White House Office of Faith-Based by creating the “White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives,” which sought to remove and Community Initiatives,” which sought to remove all obstacles that congressional statutes and agency all obstacles that congressional statutes and agency regulations had placed on religious groups seeking regulations had placed on religious groups seeking federal grants. federal grants.

Bush said this:Bush said this:

“ Congress wouldn’t act, so I “ Congress wouldn’t act, so I signed an executive order. That signed an executive order. That means I did it on my own.” means I did it on my own.”

““Every major paper and magazine Every major paper and magazine ran huge articles about the ran huge articles about the initiative…Instead of being shielded initiative…Instead of being shielded from the media and political glare from the media and political glare inside the transition, the faith-inside the transition, the faith-based announcement became based announcement became everyone’s focus.  More than seven everyone’s focus.  More than seven hundred articles appeared in the hundred articles appeared in the first week of the initiative.  By and first week of the initiative.  By and large the coverage was negative.” large the coverage was negative.” (Kuo) (Kuo)

Silence is Consent Under the Silence is Consent Under the LawLaw

On December 12, 2002 On December 12, 2002 The Anti-Defamation LeagueThe Anti-Defamation League’s Abraham H. ’s Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement: Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

“…“…We are very concerned that the Executive Order he We are very concerned that the Executive Order he signed will allow taxpayer dollars to be used to fund signed will allow taxpayer dollars to be used to fund positions that discriminate on the basis of religion. positions that discriminate on the basis of religion.

Religious institutions have always been permitted to take Religious institutions have always been permitted to take religion into account when hiring; religion into account when hiring;

the President's order represents a serious departure that the President's order represents a serious departure that would allow religion to be taken into account when hiring would allow religion to be taken into account when hiring for a government-funded position.”for a government-funded position.”

Proof is in the Puddin’Proof is in the Puddin’Research, where none actually existed, was suddenly Research, where none actually existed, was suddenly

demonstrating that faith-based organizations are better than demonstrating that faith-based organizations are better than government programs. government programs.

Case in Point: On February 04, 2001, George Will’s syndicated column appeared in Case in Point: On February 04, 2001, George Will’s syndicated column appeared in the the Greensboro News and Record:Greensboro News and Record:

““Because of social scientists like DiIulio, and because of Because of social scientists like DiIulio, and because of streetwise program administrators like, well, DiIulio, it is not streetwise program administrators like, well, DiIulio, it is not just intuitively obvious, it is just intuitively obvious, it is demonstrable demonstrable that there is a that there is a powerful correlation between sustained contact with religious powerful correlation between sustained contact with religious people and institutions and reduced crime and substance people and institutions and reduced crime and substance abuse.” abuse.”

The next day syndicated columnist Cal Thomas had something very similar to say:The next day syndicated columnist Cal Thomas had something very similar to say:

““It is It is beyond debatebeyond debate that programs with a life changing spiritual element that programs with a life changing spiritual element produce the results produce the results government seeks but has yet to find, in "secular''  government seeks but has yet to find, in "secular''  programs.  programs.  

DiIulio in the House!DiIulio in the House!

John J. John J. DiIulioDiIulio Jr., a domestic affairs expert and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Jr., a domestic affairs expert and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, was appointed by President Bush to lead the White House Office of Faith-Based and was appointed by President Bush to lead the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in the second week of the new administration. Community Initiatives in the second week of the new administration.

He He quitquit in August 2001 amid struggles with Congress and Christian conservatives over the in August 2001 amid struggles with Congress and Christian conservatives over the direction of the president's plan to give more federal money to religious charities.direction of the president's plan to give more federal money to religious charities.

'''There is no precedent in any modern White House for what is going on in this one: 'There is no precedent in any modern White House for what is going on in this one: a complete lack of a policy apparatus. What you've got is everything, and I mean a complete lack of a policy apparatus. What you've got is everything, and I mean everything, being run by the political arm. It's the reign of the Mayberry everything, being run by the political arm. It's the reign of the Mayberry Machiavellis.'‘ Machiavellis.'‘ (NYT, Dec. 2, 2002 “Ex-Aide Insists White House Puts Politics Ahead of Policy”) (NYT, Dec. 2, 2002 “Ex-Aide Insists White House Puts Politics Ahead of Policy”)

KUO in (and out) of the KUO in (and out) of the House!House!

In speaking of the beginning derailment of Bush’s In speaking of the beginning derailment of Bush’s policies from bipartisan and nonpolitical, Kuo felt policies from bipartisan and nonpolitical, Kuo felt the sea change but reporters missed it: the sea change but reporters missed it:

““The White House was intent on driving the news. The White House was intent on driving the news. It wanted to dictate what everyone was talking It wanted to dictate what everyone was talking about in what terms…The White House about in what terms…The White House communications shop would email a communications shop would email a synopsissynopsis of of the event to media outlets, along with a small the event to media outlets, along with a small fact sheet.  They also sent fact sheet.  They also sent talking pointstalking points to to friendly pundits, policy makers, lobbyists, friendly pundits, policy makers, lobbyists, congressmen and their staffers, so that they congressmen and their staffers, so that they would be saying the right things in the right way would be saying the right things in the right way if they were interviewed. (P. 156)if they were interviewed. (P. 156)

HEY YOU, JOURNALIST!HEY YOU, JOURNALIST!Talking Points? Fact Sheet? Pshaw! How could you have done Talking Points? Fact Sheet? Pshaw! How could you have done

a better job of “getting in the room;” of shunning thine a better job of “getting in the room;” of shunning thine eyes away from PRESS RELEASES??? eyes away from PRESS RELEASES???

NeustadtNeustadt

““Unless a news story is a major one, Unless a news story is a major one, the media churns through it quickly, the media churns through it quickly, keeping the public entertained with keeping the public entertained with

ever newer stories…The White House ever newer stories…The White House understood this.  Everything it did understood this.  Everything it did

catered to this…. [The media] were catered to this…. [The media] were fed a constant barrage of little fed a constant barrage of little announcements with big ones announcements with big ones

sprinkled in.” (p. 227) sprinkled in.” (p. 227)             Well put, KUO.  Well put, KUO.  

Obama Obama

Obama worked for a faith-based Obama worked for a faith-based community organization in Chicago. community organization in Chicago.

Obama worked as a professor of Obama worked as a professor of constitutional lawconstitutional law

Now, as president, he also signed an Now, as president, he also signed an Executive Order to open a new Faith Executive Order to open a new Faith Based Initiative OfficeBased Initiative Office

““ Obama proposes to elevate the Obama proposes to elevate the program to a "moral center" of his program to a "moral center" of his administration, by renaming it the administration, by renaming it the “Office of Community and Faith-Based “Office of Community and Faith-Based Partnerships,” and changing training Partnerships,” and changing training from occasional huge conferences to from occasional huge conferences to empowering larger religious charities empowering larger religious charities to mentor smaller ones in their to mentor smaller ones in their communities.” (Sun Times 07/01/08)communities.” (Sun Times 07/01/08)

4 Stated Goals4 Stated Goals

* Making community groups an integral part of the * Making community groups an integral part of the nation's economic recovery and making poverty "a nation's economic recovery and making poverty "a burden fewer have to bear when recovery is burden fewer have to bear when recovery is complete."complete."

* Offering advice on supporting women and children, * Offering advice on supporting women and children, addressing teenage pregnancy and reducing the addressing teenage pregnancy and reducing the need for abortion. need for abortion.

* Supporting fathers "who stand by their families," * Supporting fathers "who stand by their families," helping young men find well-paying jobs and helping young men find well-paying jobs and promoting "responsible fatherhood."promoting "responsible fatherhood."

* Working with the National Security Council to foster * Working with the National Security Council to foster interfaith dialogue with leaders and scholars around interfaith dialogue with leaders and scholars around the world. (LAT, Mark Silva the world. (LAT, Mark Silva February 06, 2009)February 06, 2009)

Guest List: 25 MembersGuest List: 25 Members Pastor Joel C. Hunter----------Pastor Joel C. Hunter----------Senior Pastor, Northland, a Church Senior Pastor, Northland, a Church

DistributedDistributed

Dr. Arturo Chavez----------Dr. Arturo Chavez----------Mexican American Cultural CenterMexican American Cultural Center

Rev. Jim Wallis-------------------Rev. Jim Wallis-------------------SojournersSojourners

Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie----------------Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie----------------African Methodist Episcopal African Methodist Episcopal ChurchChurch

Diane Baillargeon------------Seedco, a secular national operating intermeriaryDiane Baillargeon------------Seedco, a secular national operating intermeriary

Richard Stearns--------------World VisionRichard Stearns--------------World Vision

Information on these members’ backgrounds and Information on these members’ backgrounds and likely positions on the key issues was absent from likely positions on the key issues was absent from most coveragemost coverage

Placement, People! Placement, People! Judith N. Vredenburgh ---------Judith N. Vredenburgh ---------Big Brothers / Big Sisters of AmericaBig Brothers / Big Sisters of America

Rabbi David N. Saperstein Rabbi David N. Saperstein ------------Religious Action Center of Reform ------------Religious Action Center of Reform JudaismJudaism

Dr. Frank S. Page-Dr. Frank S. Page-------------- Southern Baptist Convention Taylors------------- Southern Baptist Convention Taylors

Father Larry J. Snyder Father Larry J. Snyder ------------Catholic Charities USA------------Catholic Charities USA

Rev. Otis Moss, JrRev. Otis Moss, Jr.------------- Olivet Institutional Baptist Church.------------- Olivet Institutional Baptist Church

Eboo S. Patel-Eboo S. Patel-----------------Interfaith Youth Corp----------------Interfaith Youth Corp

Fred Davie------------Fred Davie------------Public / Private Ventures, a secular non-profit Public / Private Ventures, a secular non-profit intermediary intermediary

Dr. William J. Shaw--------------- Dr. William J. Shaw--------------- National Baptist ConventionNational Baptist Convention

Melissa Rogers--------------Melissa Rogers--------------Wake Forest School of Divinity Center for Wake Forest School of Divinity Center for Religion and Public Affairs Religion and Public Affairs

DuBoisDuBois Executive director of the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Executive director of the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood

Partnerships, Joshua DuBois. Partnerships, Joshua DuBois.

Age: 26 years oldAge: 26 years old

Alma Mater: Boston University graduateAlma Mater: Boston University graduate

Previous Profession: Pentecostal minister Previous Profession: Pentecostal minister

Time Time magazine pointed out that DuBois “…has also been behind magazine pointed out that DuBois “…has also been behind some moves that have raised eyebrows, including Obama’s some moves that have raised eyebrows, including Obama’s participation in last summer’s Presidential Forum at Rick Warren’s participation in last summer’s Presidential Forum at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church and, more recently, the selection of the Saddleback Church and, more recently, the selection of the Evangelical author and pastor to deliver the invocation at the Evangelical author and pastor to deliver the invocation at the inauguration.”inauguration.”

PBS: DuBoisPBS: DuBois

““While some viewed the Bush While some viewed the Bush administration's efforts mostly as a one-way administration's efforts mostly as a one-way directive on how to expand the reach of directive on how to expand the reach of faith-based groups, Obama's unpaid faith-based groups, Obama's unpaid advisers report more of a two-way dialogue. advisers report more of a two-way dialogue. And the discussion centers on a broader And the discussion centers on a broader array of issues that allows for more input array of issues that allows for more input

from beyond the Beltway.”from beyond the Beltway.” April 6, 2009 April 6, 2009 Obama's faith-based council Obama's faith-based council

still finding its footingstill finding its footing

by Adelle M. Banks Religion News Serviceby Adelle M. Banks Religion News Service

100 Days100 Days

Americans United for Separation of Americans United for Separation of Church and State is dismayed by Church and State is dismayed by how Obama's faith-based office has how Obama's faith-based office has operated so far. "Bush's office operated so far. "Bush's office completely disregarded the completely disregarded the separation of church and state," says separation of church and state," says Executive Director Barry Lynn, "and Executive Director Barry Lynn, "and nobody sees any change from that nobody sees any change from that yet."yet."

HEY YOU, JOURNALIST!HEY YOU, JOURNALIST!

How Obama’s Policy is Different from W’s. How Obama’s Policy is Different from W’s. Is itIs it?? ??

DruckerDrucker

TV CoverageTV Coverage

CNNCNN FOX: ACT OF TRUE FAITH???FOX: ACT OF TRUE FAITH??? MSNBCMSNBC MSNBC: "Brilliant Politics" MSNBC: "Brilliant Politics" O'Reilly: Jesse JacksonO'Reilly: Jesse Jackson