[ OUR OPINION ]
LEGISLATION aimed at providing federal funds for religious charities fell off the congressional agenda after the 9/11 attack on America, and President Bush is salvaging what he can through his executive powers. His regulatory orders are modest, allowing government contracts and grants to religious organizations while avoiding the most controversial parts of the stalled legislation. Further action by Congress would be both unnecessary and divisive. Help fund religious charities
but not religion
THE ISSUE President Bush has signed executive orders to allow federal assistance for religious charities.
In an executive order, the president required that federal agencies provide government grants to community and social-service groups for programs to help the needy without discriminating against religious charities. Those receiving government grants must obey state and local laws against employment discrimination, but those competing for federal contracts of $10,000 or more may hire on the basis of religion.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Bush: Announced that he will use his executive powers to move ahead on a plan to provide more government money to faith-based charities
Disagreement about employment discrimination was a major reason for failure of legislation this year. Any attempt to expand the exemption to include religious charities receiving federal grants would face stiff opposition and would punish churches that have taken care to establish charities outside the church walls.
Charities affiliated with religions already receive large sums from local, state and federal governments. Last year, 85 percent of the Catholic Charities' annual budget of $18 million came from government, as did $68,000 of the $420,000 budget of the Lutheran Angel Network Charities. Those and other charities with religious ties qualify because they are nonprofit corporations established apart from the church, maintain religiously diverse staffs and provide services without regard to religious preferences.
Many charities operated directly by churches, such as the LDS Family Services Agency, seem content without government money. However, others are eager to receive federal funds. The Salvation Army at one point was advised by the White House that it would qualify for federal assistance even if it continued to refuse recognition of gay couples in its employment benefits.
It remains unclear whether the executive order will allow such discrimination, although a presidential aide told the New York Times that Bush believes such organizations "should be able to hire people that support their vision and mission" consistent with court rulings on the issue. A federal judge earlier this year ordered the state of Wisconsin to halt funding to a faith-based group that used prayer and Bible study in its treatment of drug and alcohol addiction.
Bush gave assurance that religious charities may not spend government money on "inherently religious activities" such as worship, religious instruction or proselytizing. Religious charities operated directly by churches generally include those elements and should not qualify for federal assistance. While providing federal assistance to religious charities is a noble mission, the government should not directly subsidize religion.
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