Faith Baised Initiatives
The Faith-Based Initiative is a federal program that seeks to vastly expand opportunities for religious organizations and faith-based institutions to work within their communities and to receive federal funding for such work. Under this initiative, churches and other houses of worship are eligible for taxpayer funds to run such programs.
President George Bush enacted these faith based initiatives shortly after taking office. It has been controversial ever since, with many organizations claiming that it infringes on separation of Church and State (even though there are no Constitutional laws prohibiting it, contrary to popular belief). This program’s name was changed when Obama took office (big surprise). Over the last decade, there have been challenges to the program, but overall it has been one of the most successful programs in the U.S. Government designed to actually help citizens on a local level.
Tags : faith, faith based initiatives, u.s. government, white house