FAITH-BASED INITIATIVE . . .

. . . A NEW THREAT TO OUR CIVIL RIGHTS

"Mr. Speaker, there was a time when some Americans, because of their religion, were not considered qualified for certain jobs.  In fact, before 1960 it was thought that a Catholic could not be elected President.  And before the civil rights laws of the 1960s, people of certain religions routinely suffered invidious discrimination when they sought employment.  Fortunately, the civil rights laws of the 1960s put an end to that practice, and we no longer see signs suggesting that those of certain religions need not apply for jobs . . . [the faith-based initiative] grants a new exemption and would allow religious bigotry to be practiced with the use of Federal funds.  That is wrong."

                                   -Rep. Bobby Scott

Charitable Choice Main | Frequently Asked Questions

Resources & Articles | Testimony & Op-Ed

Resources and Articles on Charitable Choice

Many articles have been published in newspapers and magazines since President Bush announced his Faith-Based Initiative. The American Civil Liberties Union has created on online clearing house which contains a collection of articles regarding Charitable Choice.  To access this list, click here.
 

Citations of Relevant News Articles on:

• Wickham, DeWayne. Op-Ed in USA Today Charity plan assaults rights
• Anderson, Curt. "Democrats Team up to Help the Poor." The Associated Press 26 July 26, 2000.  
• Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs and The Interfaith Alliance Foundation.  Keeping the Faith -- The Promise of Cooperation, The Perils of Government Funding: A Guide for Houses of Worship.
• Becker, Elizabeth. "Bush's Plan to Aid Religious Groups Is Faulted." The New York Times  27 April 2001. Page A12
• Becker, Elizabeth. "Ignoring Critics, Backers of Church Aid to Offer Bill." The New York Times 18 March 2001.
• Becker, Elizabeth. "Practical Questions Greet Bush Plan to Aid
  Religious Groups." The New York Times 5 February 2001.
• Benedetto, Richard. "Bush's 'faith-based' initiative draws foes from several sides." USA Today 8 May 2001. Page A9
• Briton, Henry.  Op-Ed.  "It’s Tempting, But My Church Says No Thanks." The Washington Post  10 September 2000.
• Bruni, Frank and Laurie Goodstein, "New Bush Office Seeks Closer Ties to Church Groups." The New York Times 29 January 2001. 
• Burling, Lori. "Ky. Children's Agency Accepts Contract Despite Conflict Over Gay Worker." The Associated Press 7 July 2000
• Davis, Derek H. "The Church-State Implications of the New Welfare Reform Law."  Journal of Church and State Volume 38 (1996): 719-733
• Davis, Martin. "Faith, Hope, and Charity." National Journal. 28 April 2001.  Pages 1228 - 1235.
• Glennon, Fred.  "Blessed Be the Ties That Bind?  The Challenge of Charitable Choice to Moral Obligation."  Journal of Church and State Volume 42 (2000): 825-843
• Goodstein, Laurie. "Church-Based Projects Lack Data on Results." The New York Times 24 April 2001.
• Goodstein, Laurie. "Battle Lines Grow on Plan to Assist Religious Groups." The New York Times 12 April 2001.
• Goodstein, Laurie. "Support for Religion-Based Plan Is Hedged." The New York Times 11 April 2001.
• Goodstein, Laurie. "Bush Aide Tells of Plan to Aid Work by Churches." The New York Times 8 March 2001.
• Goodstein, Laurie. "For Religious Right, Bush's Charity Plan Is
  Raising Concerns." The New York Times 3 March 2001.
• Goodstein, Laurie. "Many Churches Slow to Accept Government Aid to Help Poor."  The New York Times 17 October 2000.
• Goldhaber, Michael D. "Compassionate Conservative Plans Assailed in Lawsuits" The National Law Journal  8 January 2001
• Hardin, Peter. "Scott takes on 'charitable choice' plan." Richmond Times-Dispatch. 4 February 2001. Page C1.
• Leonard, Mary. "Faith-based hiring bill draws fire." Boston Globe 6 May 2001. Page A01.
• McQueen, Anjetta. "Critics Mounting Challenges to Funds For Religious Groups." The Associated Press. 2 November 2000.
• Nather, David.  "Funding of Faith-Based Groups Spurs New Civil Rights Debate." CQ Weekly (10 June 2000): pages 1385-1387.
• Niebuhr, Gustav. "Promise and Pitfalls in Taking Religion to Prison." The New York Times. 12 April 2001.
• Press, Eyal.  "Faith-Based Discrimination: The Case of Alicia Pedreira." The New York Times Magazine. 1 April 2001.
• Rogers, Melissa.  "The Wrong Way to Do Right:  Charitable Choice and Churches."  Welfare Reform and Faith-Based Organizations. (1990): 9-28.
• Rogers, Melissa.  "The Wrong Way to Do the Right Thing:  A Challenge to Charitable Choice." in What's God Got To Do With the American Experiment? Eds. Dionne, E.J. and Diiulio, John J. pages 138 - 145.
• Rosin, Hanna and Thomas B. Edsall.  "Survey Exposes 'Faith-Based' Plan Hurdles." Washington Post. 11 April 2001: Page A04.
• Segal, Julie A. "A 'Holy Mistake Zeal": The Legislative History and Future of Charitable Choice." Eds. Derek Davis and Barry Hankins. Welfare Reform and Faith-Based Organizations. (1990): 9-28.
• Soskis, Benjamin. "Act of Faith: What religion cannot do." The New Republic 26 February 2001, page 20.
• Twohey, Megan. "Ashcroft Is Bush's Charitable Choice." National Journal, 20 January 2001, page 202. 
• Twohey, Megan. "Limelight Scorching 'Charitable Choice'?" National Journal, 28 April 2001, page 1236.
• Yablon, Marcia. "Growth Spurt: How including religion will make government bigger." The New Republic, 26 February 2001. Page 18.