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Obama's Faith-Based Initiatives: Marginalizing the Religious Right
Just my own 2 cents on faith-based vapors that the lefty blogosphere is suffering this morning.
It's hardly surprising with Barack's background in community organizing that he would support some sort of funding for successful "faith-based" social programs. More telling is his apparent requirement (despite the AP's serial lying) that programs follow federal non-discrimination rules and regulations.
What this does is marginalize those religious organizations (many in what we would call the "Religious Right") that will refuse to not discriminate. There are plenty of "lefty" religious social service organizations, which Obama would be fairly familiar with from Chicago, that already comply with non-discrimination statutes. So, fewer Southern Baptist organizations receiving federal funds for abstinence training. More federal funds for legitimate faith-centered social service agencies with a track record of success. What's not to like? This is another good example of Obama's jiu-jitsu on the radical right. I wish the blogospheric luminaries could recognize that more readily.
Comments (5)
Thank you for bringing this up.
For much too long, radical and marginal religious institutions have been overshadowing the moderate mainstream institutions. This program has the possibility of shifting influence back to the moderate center. Although I myself am not religious and believe in strict separation of Church and State, pragmatically, I do recognize the normalizing benefit on the national religious discourse that would result from greater participation in our society by mainstream churches.
July 1, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here, here! Recommended!
I've already replied to this in another post HERE
July 1, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Instead of funneling FB money to white envangelical churches with a republican bent (as Bush has done), Obama will funnel the FB $ to black churches that begin or have social services programs?
That's...uh, change you can believe in. I guess. It sounds more like an extension of the spoils system, just with a different team making the awards.
July 1, 2008 3:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, Indiex, if you read or watch Obama's speech, he's talking about leveraging organizations with a proven track record, like Catholic Charities and Lutheran Social Services. That's not a spoils system. That's working with very capable and expert organizations.
July 1, 2008 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, Indiex, if you read or watch Obama's speech, he's talking about leveraging organizations with a proven track record, like Catholic Charities and Lutheran Social Services. That's not a spoils system. That's working with very capable and expert organizations.
July 1, 2008 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
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