MILWAUKEE (AP) - President Bush, emboldened by a landmark church-state ruling, urged Congress on Tuesday to eliminate barriers that prevent religious groups from getting taxpayer money to run community service programs. "Our government should not fear faith in our society," the president said.
Bush visited the Holy Redeemer Church of God in Christ five days after a Supreme Court decision allowing taxpayer money to underwrite tuition at private or parochial schools if parents retain a wide choice of where to send their children.
Bush and his advisers suggested the decision paves the way for opening federal money to church-based social programs — such as the career and school services offered at Holy Redeemer.
The ruling "was an important statement about, let's focus on each child to make sure no child is left behind. Let's worry more about results and less about process," Bush said in one of the church's community rooms.
Working with the White House, the Republican-controlled House last summer passed legislation opening 10 new government programs to religious groups, as long as participants could opt out of the religious parts.
The Democratic-controlled Senate has shown little enthusiasm for many of Bush's ideas. Some lawmakers question whether Bush's plans would erode the divide between church and state.
The president said he simply wants to level the playing field.
"The federal government should not ask, `Does your organization believe in God?" Bush said. "They ought to ask, does your program work? Are you saving lives? Are you making a difference?"
While Bush cited the Supreme Court's ruling on public school vouchers, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer ( news - web sites) pointed to an unpopular federal court ruling challenging the Pledge of Allegiance.
"The American people would be just as shocked to hear there are barriers to prevent faith-based groups from getting federal aid as they were shocked to hear the ruling of the San Francisco court that struck down the words `in God we trust," Flesicher said.
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This is a very dangerous administration we've got running things.
Bush visited the Holy Redeemer Church of God in Christ five days after a Supreme Court decision allowing taxpayer money to underwrite tuition at private or parochial schools if parents retain a wide choice of where to send their children.
Bush and his advisers suggested the decision paves the way for opening federal money to church-based social programs — such as the career and school services offered at Holy Redeemer.
The ruling "was an important statement about, let's focus on each child to make sure no child is left behind. Let's worry more about results and less about process," Bush said in one of the church's community rooms.
Working with the White House, the Republican-controlled House last summer passed legislation opening 10 new government programs to religious groups, as long as participants could opt out of the religious parts.
The Democratic-controlled Senate has shown little enthusiasm for many of Bush's ideas. Some lawmakers question whether Bush's plans would erode the divide between church and state.
The president said he simply wants to level the playing field.
"The federal government should not ask, `Does your organization believe in God?" Bush said. "They ought to ask, does your program work? Are you saving lives? Are you making a difference?"
While Bush cited the Supreme Court's ruling on public school vouchers, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer ( news - web sites) pointed to an unpopular federal court ruling challenging the Pledge of Allegiance.
"The American people would be just as shocked to hear there are barriers to prevent faith-based groups from getting federal aid as they were shocked to hear the ruling of the San Francisco court that struck down the words `in God we trust," Flesicher said.
---
This is a very dangerous administration we've got running things.
