OVER THE course of President Bush's time in the Oval Office, he has tried to tear down the constitutional wall of separation of church and state. His latest efforts: urging large American corporations and foundations to increase contributions to religious charities and ordering the creation of a center for faith-based and religious initiatives within the Department of Homeland Security. The administration claims that religious organizations provide unique social services to the disadvantaged that cannot be matched by secular programs. Though they have done nothing to justify that assertion, the administration continues to use it to guide the funding of social programs.
According to Bush, federal grants to religious charities totaled $2.1 billion for fiscal year 2005, an increase of seven percent over the previous year. The federal government substantiates the grants by claiming that religious organizations are in close touch with disadvantaged people, allowing these organizations to have a special understanding of these people's needs. It all sounds beautiful until closer inspection reveals the statement lacks any sort of evidence.
Mark Chaves, a professor of sociology at the University of Arizona, recently told the Foundation of American Communications that his research clashed with the administration's claim. Most startling, the notion that religious organizations engage in long-term reformation seems to be a misconception. In contrast, religious organizations often focus on short-term progress -- acts as small as preparing Thanksgiving meals.
The federal government cites no studies about the effectiveness of religious organizations versus secular organizations in its push to fund religious organizations. Budget appropriations cannot be based on opinion; funding must go towards the best proven courses of action. If the federal government feels religious organizations can help the disadvantaged better than other organizations, it must fund proper research before appropriations are made.
Religious organizations could potentially abuse federal money. Even before this administration's insistence on funding, religious organizations that provide social services were eligible for funding. In keeping with the separation of church and state, money needs to remain in a separate account and cannot go towards promoting religious ideas. With more money going towards these religious organizations, there is greater likelihood the money will be used to endorse religion, rather than help the needy.
The potential for abuse seems to be very realistic in light of a recent lawsuit. The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for providing funding to faith-based sex abstinence programs that promoted Christian values. The two parties have since settled, essentially agreeing that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would use more caution when distributing money. Likely, there are countless abuses of federal grants with a similar story that do not garner any sort of attention.
The creation of a Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives within the Department of Homeland Security will only aggravate the problem. According to the legislation, the purpose of the center would be, "To eliminate regulatory, contracting, and other programmatic obstacles to the participation of faith-based and other community organizations in the provision of social and community services." After a lawsuit resulted from the lack of separation of religion with social service, the federal government has decided to create a special center to fully remove any remaining separation. The irony is rather apparent.
The obvious question -- why the federalgovernment would give significant funding to unproven religious charities -- has an obvious answer. President Bush remains the President of the United States because of the religious right. He would not let a little thing like the Constitution stop him from rewarding his loyal voters.
The move towards increased funding also raises ethical questions. H. James Towey, head of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, told the media that in order to get funding, "Religious groups do not have to sell their soul." In the process, the administration has allowed religious groups to continue to discriminate in hiring based on religion and sexual orientation. By funding religious groups that use their prejudices in hiring, the federal government allows taxpayers' money to be used to discriminate against minority groups. More generally, the practice represents a government endorsement of religion.
The lines between religion and government has continued to blur. The Presidenthas a sworn duty to uphold the Constitution in governing our nation. Yet again, President Bush has failed.
Rajesh Jain is a Cavalier Daily Associate Editor. He can be reached at rjain@cavalierdaily.com
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