Major parts of Bush's faith-based
initiative will be delayed
___WASHINGTON--The White House is postponing action on a portion of its faith-based initiatives and may amend part of its plan, according to a news report released last week.
___Some religious leaders have expressed concerns about President Bush's plan to provide federal funds to religious charities, and the administration is seeking to mute some of the criticism, The Washington Post reported March 12.
___The plan "may need to be corrected in some areas," Don Eberly told the Post. Eberly is deputy director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives.
___"We're postponing," Eberly said. "We're not ready to send our own bill up."
___Among reservations voiced by conservative Christian leaders are fears the program could lead to government interference that would harm churches' spiritual vitality and freedom, as well as opposition to funding some religious groups, such as Hare Krishnas, the Church of Scientology and the Unification Church.
___Concerns about the White House proposal have come both from the right and left.
___Among those on the right voicing doubts about the program have been Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission; Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson; and Baptist pastor and Moral Majority founder Jerry Falwell.
___Among those on the left have been the American Civil Liberties Union, People for the American Way and Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
___The president expressed confidence the program could be shaped to address the concerns.
___ Some "are worried that once government gets in their lives, government will force a change in their religion," Bush told the Post. "There are some who worry about, once government gets involved, government will force religion on people. And I am mindful of those concerns, and our policy will understand that.
___"We'll fashion a policy--that we have already fashioned--that will, I believe, answer those critics."
___The plan includes some proposals that have generated little, if any opposition. Included are a change to permit taxpayers who do not itemize to deduct their charitable gifts and the establishment of centers in five federal departments to remove barriers to religious and other organizations working with government to help the needy. The latter does not require congressional approval.
___The White House expressed support for vouchers as a solution to the controversy over direct government funding of religious charities. In a voucher plan, the grant would go to a beneficiary who would choose what social-service agency, religious or secular, in which to use it.
___"It is a way out and one that seems to be win-win," Eberly told the Post.
___In response to the Post story, Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United, issued a news release declaring the Bush proposal has been dealt a serious blow.
___"We've just finished round one, and the Bush team is staggering back to their corner," Lynn said. "The criticism of the plan is obviously taking a toll on the administration.
___"The more time passes, the less people like Bush's faith-based plan," he added. "Government-funded religion violates the First Amendment and is unpopular with the American people. I'm hoping Bush sees the writing on the church-state wall and gives up on this unconstitutional monstrosity."
___Compiled from news service reports
The Baptist Standard
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