Bush asked to delay `Charitable Choice'

Christian Century, Oct 24, 2001

Forty-four national groups concerned about religious and civil rights have sent a joint letter to President Bush asking him to postpone action on the "Charitable Choice" aspects of his faith-based initiative. "While we applaud your recent efforts to unite and rally the nation and spur charitable giving to victims and communities, Charitable Choice is only a step backward toward divisiveness," the groups wrote in a letter dated October 3.

Before September 11, Bush pushed hard for an extension of Charitable Choice legislation, originally passed in 1996, that would expand opportunities for religious organizations to compete for governmental grants to help them provide social services. The groups writing to the president argue that Charitable Choice can permit religious discrimination in employment and allow proselytization of those needing government assistance.

"Charitable Choice raises serious constitutional concerns by undermining the independence and autonomy of our nation's houses of worship, and could make houses of worship dependent on taxpayer dollars, muting religion's prophetic voice as a critic of government," they wrote. Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a Washington-based group that has criticized aspects of Bush's faith-based initiative, released the letter on October 3. "Americans are united at this time of national crisis," said Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United, in a statement. "But that does not mean they are prepared to rubber-stamp every item on the president's domestic agenda."

Among other organizations signing the letter: American Civil Liberties Union, American Humanist Association, Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs, Central Conference of American Rabbis, General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church, Interfaith Alliance, National Education Association, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, and United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries.