The Faith-Based Initiatives bill, a proposed law aimed at expanding federal government funding of faith-based welfare programs, has passed its first legislative hurdle, gaining approval of the United States House of Representatives July 20 by a vote of 23
The Faith-Based Initiatives bill, a proposed law aimed at expanding federal government funding of faith-based welfare programs, has passed its first legislative hurdle, gaining approval of the United States House of Representatives July 20 by a vote of 233 to 198.
Public debate surrounding the bill has centered on two main issues: first, whether direct funding of religious groups would create an unconstitutional relationship between church and state; and second, whether faith groups receiving government money under the legislation should continue to have the right to hire only members of their own religion to administer their welfare programs.
Supporters of the program argue that government funding will flow only to the secular, or welfare, enterprises of religious groups.
Critics of the bill argue that tax funds, which are raised from all United States citizens, should not be disbursed to groups that would discriminate on the basis of religion or sexual orientation in their hiring and firing practices.
“We will continue to watch the progress of this legislation closely,” says Dr. Clarence Hodges, public affairs and religious liberty director and vice president of the Adventist Church in North America. While acknowledging that religious organizations play a vital role in providing humanitarian care and social services, Hodges says “we, as a church, also recognize our responsibility to promote the healthy independence of church and state.”
“We consider it fundamental that a church has the right to hire only members of its own denomination to staff its charitable programs,” adds Hodges. “An Adventist welfare program ceases to be uniquely ‘Adventist’ when it is staffed by people who do not share a common religious ethos. Such a welfare program would no longer adequately represent the Adventist Church.”
In March the Adventist Church developed a “Consensus Statement of Concern Regarding United States Government Funding of Religious Organizations,” prompted in part by the growing debate about government funding for faith-based initiatives.
According to the statement, the Adventist Church will pay special attention to three areas of vital concern when evaluating any state program that has the potential to impact the church/state relationship.
First, the autonomy of the church must not be compromised—“the church must remain free to be who and what it is.”
Second, the statement points out the danger that religious groups may become dependent on government largess, thereby compromising their independence or “the authenticity of their witness and voice.”
Finally, the statement affirms the ideal of neutrality, or non-discrimination—that governments must never differentiate between acceptable and unacceptable religions.
The statement also emphasizes “the fragility of religious freedom” and the paramount need to safeguard the independence of both church and government.
The legislation that passed the House last week retains exemptions from state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and thus would allow groups participating in the program to take religion into account in their hiring practices. But Senate Majority Leader Thomas A. Daschle has said the Senate is unlikely to pass any bill that includes anti-discrimination exemptions.
