From the Chronicle: Obama Unveils Plan to Aid Religious Charities

July 01, 2008

From the Chronicle: Obama Unveils Plan to Aid Religious Charities

Sen. Barack Obama, the likely Democratic nominee for president, this afternoon will announce a plan that he would use to help religious charities if he wins the race for the White House, The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports.

Comments

The Senator is pandering to the religious right. There is precious little evidence that Mr. Bush’s Faith Based Initiative has had a positive impact and it blurs the line between a secular government and religion – something we’re giving thousands of lives and trillions of dollars to fight in the Middle East.

— David Zemel Jul 1, 02:54 PM #
What about other charities that do more than religious charities to help children get to medical treatment?????

— William McGee Jul 1, 02:55 PM #
As an Obama supporter, I am sorry to hear this. There are so many needy effective charities that do not cross the line that I strongly believe it is not necessary to go into this murky territory.

— Anna Marie King Jul 1, 03:23 PM #
As expected Obama is increasingly a disappointment to progressives. Getting right up there with Her Highness.

— Henry Goldstein Jul 1, 04:15 PM #
I am shocked with the comments from persons who obviously do not know what is going on with faith based initiatives in developing countries. We have lived in a developing country for about 14 years going back to 1955. Over the years we have travelled extensively in many developing countries and have seen the indigenous people now taking over the responsibility of these projects and establishing new ones with capable leadership and fundraising abilities. They know that it is their responsibility to carry on where others have lead. Now they are the leaders. It takes time. Their journey to modernity did not start with the rest of the developed world. People in the faith based initiatives have lived with the people and understand what the needs are because they have been told by the people. Those who complain about the faith based initiatives should read history and go and see what has been accomplished.

— Ruth Ludwig Jul 1, 04:33 PM #
Ruth, I don’t understand your intended connection between history and the necessity of faith based initiatives.

— Seth McDonald Jul 1, 05:09 PM #
Faith-based initiatives — meaning, social services and projects performed by organizations affiliated with a particular faith, church, or religion — don’t “blur the lines” any more than politicians who speak before church congregations on Sundays. Liberals can’t have it both ways.

Social services performed by faith-based groups can be just as effective as non-religious affiliated social services groups, and should be screened to receive government funding based on the same criteria. They should not be excluded from government funding eligibility simply because they are associated with a church, as long as their services provided are strictly secular.

Liberals and Progressives, as noted above, need to take a chill pill and not be so judgmental against groups that strive to help the neediest in societies around the world, simply because they are- gasp -affiliated with a church! Many even risk their lives to do so.

Instead, be grateful that good people everywhere are trying to make a difference and improve the lives and welfare of “strangers among us.”

— Kimberley Stewart Jul 1, 05:30 PM #
Ruth and Kim,

I believe you hit the nail on the head! I am currently involved with a free summer lunch program that is supported by a faith-based group who cater to the needs children in our community.

— Beverly Frederick Jul 2, 11:06 AM #
I work for an interfaith social services organization. I have spent two years trying to find a government program under the “faith based initiatives” that gives funds for our mission—helping frail seniors. My conclusion is that there is little to no money available, there is none which addreses the need we address, and most of the money that has been given out has gone to intermediaries who “train” the frontline service providers to get money—essentially not getting there in own hands dirty and creating a middleman that profits from connections.
The current White House program is great for press releases but has no real impact on the problems which Faith Based organizations address.
Forget the hype of appealing to the faith organizations. Put the money to work out in the community where people need it. Put it to work with whatever nonprofit program does the job best.

— Susan Jean Jul 2, 02:59 PM #
I know that a huge amount of health and human care services are provided by religious institutions and that’s been true long before the current administration. Those organizations are vital to a healthy our community and should not only be protected but enhanced. That however, is not what the Administration has been doing of late. Money is being used for religious and not community betterment.

We used to prohibit “soup, soap and salvation” as a program guide for services provided by religious groups and that should be continued – especially with public dollars.

— David Zemel Jul 2, 03:26 PM #
Susan Jean, Go to the USAID (United States Agency for International Development) website and look under the name “PVO Registry.” PVOs are Private Voluntary Organizations. You will find Christian organizations listed there. There are other organizations as well, but you will have to call the offices of different denominations for their input. Good luck.

— Ruth Ludwig Jul 2, 03:45 PM #

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