Leveling the Playing Field?

Paper Summary:

This paper explores extensively the controversial George W. Bush's public policy called the "Faith-Based Initiative", which seeks to support the work of faith-based organizations (FBOs) including allowing FBOs to compete on an equal footing with other social service providers in the receipt of federal grants. The author points out the ways Bush's faith-based initiatives have created public debate and clamoring criticism because of his public policy to end what he describes as "discrimination" against religion. The paper underscores the problems created by the widely varying interpretations of how exactly this new church and state partnership fits into the constitutional scheme. The paper analyzes several legal cases regarding this issue to support its discussion.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Charitable Choice and the Faith-Based Initiative
Defining Charitable Choice
Defining the Faith-Based Initiative
Charitable Choice's Danger to Beneficiaries and FBOs
Major Legal Issues Associated with the Faith-Based Initiative
The New Paradigm of Church and State Collaboration
Establishment Clause Issues
Employment Discrimination
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Bush's proposal, however, differs significantly from the 1996 charitable choice laws and his plan's increased potential for entanglement has garnered concern and criticism from both secularist and religious organizations, albeit for different reasons. While secularists see a violation of the Establishment Clause as the most troubling result of entanglement, the religious communities fear loss of autonomy and government scrutiny. In fact, the President's own denomination, the United Methodist Church, has opposed his policy."

Sample of Sources Used:

• White House Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Website. "Guidance to Faith-Based and Community Organizations on Partnering with the Federal Government." <http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/ guidance/index.html>
• Kestenbaum, David. (2001, July 31) "Morning Edition (NPR)/Profile: Governor George W. Bush's Faith-Based Initiative in Texas." [Radio Transcript], Newspaper Source Database [Online] <http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx? direct=true&db=nfh&an=6XN200107311103>
• Formicola, Jo Renee, Mary C. Segers and Paul Weber. Faith-Based Initiatives and the Bush Administration: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Lanham: Rowmna & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2003: 4.
• Olavsky, Marvin. Compassionate Conservatism. New York:The Free Press, 2000: 8.
• Diulio Jr., John J. "Getting Faith-Based Programs Right." Public Interest 155 (Spring 2004): 75-89.

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