Does Faith-Based Initiatives Office Violate Constitution?
The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) expressed qualified support for President George W. Bush’s creation of an Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. The White House office was created to fund social services provided by religious and community groups. “Faith-based organizations have long been eligible for federal funds to implement social service programs,” GBCS staffer Eliezer Valentin-Castenon stated in a GBCS release. “One problem has been that few churches are aware of their eligibility or of how to apply for such funds, and many government agencies are unaware that they can grant such funds to faith-based organizations. We hope this new executive order will focus strongly on educating both faith-based organizations and the government on what the law already permits.” Jaydee Hanson, a GBCS assistant general secretary, told Newscope that he did not think the President’s plan necessarily threatened the separation of church and state. “United Methodist policy does
