wfn.org | Adventists Urges Caution in Charities Funding

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March 31, 2001
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD

Adventist Leader Urges Caution in U.S. Government
Funding of Faith-based Charities

Washington, D.C., USA, 25.03.2001/APD       A plan to
allow faith-based welfare organizations to compete
for federal grants will be difficult to implement in
a way that preserves separation of church and state,
says Dr. Clarence Hodges, religious liberty and
public affairs director for the Seventh-day Adventist
Church in North America.  On January 29 United States
President George Bush unveiled the details of his
initiative to fund religious charities, saying that
faith-based programs and community groups "have
proven their power to save and change lives."

"This is a matter that must be watched very closely,"
says Hodges. "President Bush has made it very clear
that these federal grants will not fund religious
enterprises, but only those social services that are
clearly humanitarian in nature.  While we would
prefer to keep the separation between church and
state as clear as possible, this is an item we can
live with if the proper safeguards are maintained."

Hodges says the Adventist Church in North America has
long advocated the principle of separation of church
and state as the best way to ensure a healthy
independence for religious groups and to prevent the
possibility of religion-based discrimination in the
distribution of state funds. [Editor: Bettina
Krause/ANN]