Here’s an interesting article from the Long Island Press that illustrates a Christian faith-based treatment center— one of many religious service groups— that has become eligible for government funding under President Bush.
“Taxpayer financing of faith-based groups has been controversial since President Bush created the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives on Jan. 29, 2001. Proponents say religious community-service programs should have equal access to funding. Critics say that funding faith-based programs blurs the boundary between church and state, and makes taxpayers support organizations like Long Island Teen Challenge that proselytize and hire only Christians.
“On Dec. 6, the House will vote on an enormous $388 billion federal funding bill, which budgets $155 million for two faith-based initiatives. The Access to Recovery (ATR) program would receive its second infusion of $100 million while the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) would receive $55 million. These initiatives could bring money to local religious nonprofits that apply biblical principles in their programs, like Long Island Teen Challenge.”