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JANUARY 31, 2001

President George W. Bush on Tuesday moved forward with his plan to increase the role of religion in American society and called on "armies of compassion" to help rid the country of poverty and despair.

Listing a number of problems facing America's youth including children born to unwed mothers, children in foster homes, children with parents in prison, and children living in poverty, Bush presented his "blueprint" for his faith-based initiative at a Christian after-school program in Washington, DC. But while a primary component of his program involves greater distribution of federal funding, the goal is an increased reliance on community organizations and state and local governments.

This so-called "devolution" has been championed by many Republicans, including the recently confirmed Secretary of Interior Gale Norton who has applied the concept to federal environmental laws. Bush's initiative moves the idea into a different realm, giving the federal government what he calls a new role in welfare and social policy.

On its face, the idea appears to seek to limit the responsibility of the federal government in addressing the problems Bush has raised. In addition to allowing religious and faith-based organizations to compete for federal funding, one policy he advanced yesterday calls for tax breaks that he hopes will promote more charitable donations by private individuals and corporations.

By engaging in these and other policies, Bush says the federal government will function as a "supporter, enabler, catalyst and collaborator" with religious groups. But even though Bush says the government has ignored these groups, he also says he doesn't want to diminish the functions of the five agencies he has directed to eliminate "improper" barriers that may have prevented funding such groups.

"This initiative is not anti-government, but pro-results," says Bush in his blueprint. "It is designed to make sure that faith-based community-serving groups have a seat at the table."

Even so, not all religious and faith-based groups are applauding their welcome by Bush. The Interfaith Alliance, a national organization of leaders representing Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and other religions, on Tuesday questioned the initiative and said it would diminish the uniquely religious nature of their programs at the expense of increased funding.

"Tax dollars come with strings that will effectively turn religious leaders into government puppets," said Reverence Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, the group's executive director. "Take away the strings and you take away the accountability which opens the door to lawsuits."

Addressing concerns that the initiative would erode the wall between church and state, the Anti-Defamation League is also urging caution. In a letter to Bush, the group called for "safeguards" to prevent federal funds from going to religious groups who may proselytize to or discriminate against those seeking services.

Get Bush's Blueprint:
Rallying the Armies of Compassion (The White House January 2001)

Get Bush's Executive Orders:
Executive Order Creating White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (Politics 1/30)
Executive Order Directing Agencies to Coordinate with White House Office (Politics 1/30)

Related Stories:
Bush seeks to eliminate religious 'obstacles' (Politics 1/30)
Faith takes center stage with Bush (Politics 1/29)
Bush unveils education plan (Indian U. 1/24)