Posted by Jed Lewison on Tue Jul 1, 2008 at 5:49 AM Pacific

Obama plans role for faith-based groups in anti-poverty initiative

Later this afternoon in Zanesville, Ohio, Barack Obama will announce a new anti-poverty initiative embracing both neighborhood and faith-based community organizations. Obviously, the faith-based aspect of the program is going to raise some eyebrows, not just because of the church-state issues, but also because of the Bush White House's faith-based initiative.

Keeping in mind that I don't know much about this policy area, let me flag a few aspects of the policy that are clearly designed towards easing concerns of those of us who are skeptical of government involvement in anything religious:

  • The rationale for including faith-based organizations in his anti-poverty policy is not that they are better suited to deal with poverty issues than are secular organizations, but simply that many of the groups already working on poverty issues are faith-based, and that it makes sense to work with as many groups as possible.
  • Secular nonprofits are part of the policy as well; religious organizations receive no special privileges not enjoyed by secular nonprofits.
  • No federal grant money can be used for proselytizing
  • Even if the programs are run by religious organizations, the programs themselves must be secular in nature
  • The groups cannot discriminate whom they serve based on religion
  • Their hiring policies must comply with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (which prohibits discrimination based race. color, religion, sex, or national origin.)
  • Obama believes the program would be authorized under current law

Again, I'm no expert, and I'll be looking forward to hearing more about the program, but out of the gate it does seem that the Obama campaign recognizes that for a program like this to be successful, it must have very clear rules and guidelines in place that allows the government to confine the relationship to the secular activities of these religious organizations.

Update: Here is a PDF fact-sheet on the policy.

Obama plans role for faith-based groups in anti-poverty initiative

Later this afternoon in Zanesville, Ohio, Barack Obama will announce a new anti-poverty initiative embracing both neighborhood and faith-based community organizations. Obviously, the faith-based aspect of the program is going to raise some eyebrows, not just because of the church-state issues, but also because of the Bush White House's faith-based initiative.

Keeping in mind that I don't know much about this policy area, let me flag a few aspects of the policy that are clearly designed towards easing concerns of those of us who are skeptical of government involvement in anything religious:

  • The rationale for including faith-based organizations in his anti-poverty policy is not that they are better suited to deal with poverty issues than are secular organizations, but simply that many of the groups already working on poverty issues are faith-based, and that it makes sense to work with as many groups as possible.
  • Secular nonprofits are part of the policy as well; religious organizations receive no special privileges not enjoyed by secular nonprofits.
  • No federal grant money can be used for proselytizing
  • Even if the programs are run by religious organizations, the programs themselves must be secular in nature
  • The groups cannot discriminate whom they serve based on religion
  • Their hiring policies must comply with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (which prohibits discrimination based race. color, religion, sex, or national origin.)
  • Obama believes the program would be authorized under current law

Again, I'm no expert, and I'll be looking forward to hearing more about the program, but out of the gate it does seem that the Obama campaign recognizes that for a program like this to be successful, it must have very clear rules and guidelines in place that allows the government to confine the relationship to the secular activities of these religious organizations.

Update: Here is a PDF fact-sheet on the policy.

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