Faith-based politics

last updated 8 January 2015

Philadelphia

President Bush has ordered federal agencies to treat religious charities the same as secular ones when deciding who gets government money for social programs. Bush announced he was moving forward with his “faith-based initiative” to charity leaders, who shouted “Amen!” Democrats accused Bush of ramming through the controversial charity plan without Congress’ approval. Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) said Bush’s order “violates one of the most fundamental principles of civil rights” by channeling taxpayer money to churches and religious groups, which are allowed to deny people jobs because of their religion or sexual preference. Bush said it was faith-based charities whose rights had been trampled. “The days of discriminating against religious groups just because they are religious are coming to an end.”