Can Branch Davidians run a faith-based program?
Regarding President Bush’s initiative to funnel billions of public dollars into faith-based social service programs, here’s the public policy dilemma of the week: If the Branch Davidians want to open, say, a family reunification agency in Waco, Texas, will the federal government fund it? And if the government says “no” to the Branch Davidians but “yes” to the Southern Baptists who are proposing to do the same thing, is that religious favoritism, discrimination or an invitation to litigation? Say a fundamentalist church wants to open a shelter for battered wives. It will feed, clothe and protect its clients — but also share the pastor’s conviction, based on his interpretation of the Bible, that the more women submit to their husbands, the more peaceful and happy their homes will be. Is that something most folks can see their tax dollars supporting? How about a Jerry Falwell counseling center for gays and lesbians based on the notion of “reparative therapy” that purports to turn homosex
