After being stalled in Congress for nearly two years now, President Bush’s Faith-Based Initiative just got a major boost. On December 11, 2002 Bush signed a series of executive orders that will implement many of the aspects of his plan to allow faith-based groups to compete for federal grants.
Bush signed these orders at a meeting of charitable groups in Philadelphia. The orders allow groups to retain their religious identities, including the right to hire workers based on their religion. It will prohibit use of tax money for worship services, religious instruction, or other “inherently religious” activity.
One executive order directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency to revise its policies to let religious nonprofit groups qualify for disaster relief. Another order creates faith-based offices at the Agriculture Department and Agency for International Development.
TVC is going to obtain copies of these orders to see if they protect religious groups from being forced to hire homosexuals, transgenders, or other individuals whose behaviors and beliefs may violate the policies of these religious groups. If no protections are in place for religious freedom or association, many religious organizations will refuse to apply for federal dollars.