Bush Pushes Programs to Help Those in Need
URL:http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,78122,00.html
Monday, February 10, 2003
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — President Bush made another push for faith-based initiatives Monday, stating that Americans should be free to practice whatever religion they choose without fear of being denied government support.
Addressing the National Religious Broadcasters' convention in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Bush asked the crowd to rally to people in need in the United States and help "change America, one heart and one soul at a time."
The NRB's 30,000 members are responsible for much of the world's Christian radio and television.
"We must apply the great compassion of our people to the deepest problems of our country," Bush told the 2,700-member crowd. "Government cannot put hope in people's lives."
The president came to Nashville's Gaylord Opryland hotel to urge his audience to help him achieve programs that reach out to people in need.
"I believe government should welcome faith-based groups as allies in the great work of renewing America," he said. "Religious faith not only comforts; it challenges. Faith teaches that every person is equal in God's sight and must be treated with equal dignity here on earth."
Bush said he understands government back a specific religious view, but said that it should work to "provide effective social services that go to anyone in need, regardless of their faith."
Those organizations should not be forced "to change or compromise their prophetic role," he said.
"In America today, people of faith are doing the work of compassion. So many good people are serving their neighbors because they love their god," Bush said. "The spirit of service is vital because the need in America is great."
The president made clear, however, that he is not endorsing crossing the line between the separation of church and state.
"I understand the government must not and will not endorse a religious creed or directly fund religious worship. That's obviously not a role of government," he said. "The government can and should support effective social services provided by religious people, so long as they work and as long as those services go to anyone in need, regardless of their faith."
But when government gives that support, he said, "it is equally important that faith-based institutions should not be forced to change the character or compromise their prophetic role."
Bush announced that he has issued an executive order banning discrimination against faith-based charities and social service grants by federal agencies.
"If a charity is helping the needy, it should not matter if there's a rabbi on the board or a cross on the wall or a crescent on the wall or a religious commitment in the charter," he said. "We need to ask, does it work?"
"The days of discriminating against religious groups just because they are religious are coming to an end," the president added.
Bush is stepping up efforts to get religious groups involved in the delivery of social services while pushing new initiatives for mentoring children and helping drug addicts.
On Sunday, the president urged Republicans in Congress to work with him on several areas he considers key components in his vision of "compassionate conservatism."
"There are people who need love and compassion," Bush told a GOP congressional retreat at the Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. "There are people who wonder whether or not the American experience is meant for them."
Bush outlined plans to push for programs that would help these people.
"I'm going to call for focus on those who are addicted to drugs," he told the lawmakers. "We'll work hard to continue to drive the demand for drugs down and interdict supply, but there are sad souls in our society who are hooked on drugs."
And he said he looked forward "to working with the Congress to empower programs which work, particularly faith-based programs which work, to help save Americans one heart, one soul, one conscience at a time."
He said it was important to pursue such programs domestically, but also "to show our compassion abroad as well."
The president also talked about the thousands of children living in orphanages in Africa because their parents died of AIDS, and he asked Congress to approve quickly his proposal to sharply increase U.S. aid to the global battle against the disease — to $15 billion over the next five years.
Democrats have questioned how Bush can push for programs to help the needy, improve education and provide prescription drugs at the same time he is pushing tax cuts repeatedly and planning for a war with Iraq.
Before the Monday address, Bush took part in a roundtable with the leadership and graduates of the Campus for Human Development, a faith-based, nonprofit organization that serves the homeless community of Nashville through a variety of programs, including primary and mental health care, substance abuse treatment, transportation, support groups, job training and placement, food and emergency winter shelter.
Bush had the opportunity to meet suburban and urban religious leaders from the Nashville community who have joined together to serve the poor and suffering. Bush again highlighted his compassion agenda, specifically, his faith-based and community initiative, at this event.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
