Comments on: One More Voice on Barack Obama’s Faith Based Initiatives Plan

By: Re: Faith in 2008: Enough Already | Edger

Re: Faith in 2008: Enough Already | Edger — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 02:49:18 +0000

[...] majority of the changes reduce the ability of religion to use taxpayer dollars to prostelytize. A bit of reading reveals what Obama actually wants to [...]

By: monkeymind

monkeymind — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:40:09 +0000

This whole faith-based thing is confusing. In the 80′s, I worked for a secular charity. The Catholic Charities agency in town got the same type of federal grant we did (for refugee resettlement) subject to the same paperwork and oversight. I don’t know if they had a 501c3 or not. Not all their clients were Catholic, I don’t know about employees, but I doubt there was exception made to EEOC rules. So it really just seems like a return to the status quo ante-Bush, but calling it faith-based. If the Obama initiative sets aside a certain stream of funding only for faith-based charities, that’s a problem. There should be a level playing field, it’s the only way to be fair to taxpayers and clients.

By: James Cape

James Cape — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 16:27:35 +0000

So when does Jim Haggee have to pay taxes?

By: Justin

Justin — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 16:12:02 +0000

Aj nailed it. Given this set of rules, there is absolutely no need for a church initiative. Why not create and expand funding for charities in general?

My biggest question for Barak Obama on this issue is “Do you have the integrity to call it a ‘church initiative’ instead of using the verbal mask ‘faith-based’ to disguise the program’s sectarian nature?”

Which, btw, I think we need to all start doing. It’s a church initiative. “Faith-based” is doublespeak. Obama supports this smarmy practice by using the phrase himself. Despite knowing all arguments from incredulity are not reliable, I don’t see how the senator wouldn’t know exactly what he’s doing with the doublespeak.

I’d like to see more integrity on his part. Till then, I’m thinking Ficus.

By: Ubi Dubius

Ubi Dubius — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 15:03:40 +0000

Aj:

Exactly. At first, I was very upset at Senator Obama’s proposal. As I learned more about it, it became obvious to me he was simply keeping the name – it much more secular than faith-based.

I’d prefer a complete repeal, but I understand the political calculation. There are a lot more christian voters than atheist ones.

The next step is for the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster to set up a pasta kitchen and apply for funds. I’d support that!

By: Aj

Aj — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 14:56:59 +0000

If this was true then I don’t see why there needs to be faith based initiatives, they could just set up secular charities. I think this still smells of government funneling money to selected religious organisations.