Bush decided to pour money into social assistance programs of religious organizations. Now he will have to deal with the funding demands of organizations such as Hari Krishna, the Church of Scientology and Reverend Son Myung Moon's church.
Laurie Goodstein, New York Times
After eight years in prison, Joseph Fabio lives in a temporary residence for prisoners
released, near the funeral home in Philadelphia. He was helped in this residence
Psychological counselors to stay away from drugs, find a job at a gas station and restrain
His tantrums, Shabatim was convicted at the age of 18 of murder.
His three months in the program were "a blessing," Fabio said. and similarly
He told many other tenants in the place that his only complaint was that there was a party
The kitchen only serves vegetarian food. When he was told that the menu was limited
Since the residence is associated with the "International Association for Krishna Consciousness",
Better known as Hari Krishna, Fabio seems to have been captured by me
hidden camera "Do they still exist?" He said, and remembered how he saw before
Years of monks in orange robes at airports. "I didn't know."
For nearly twenty years the devotees of the Krishna Mountains in Philadelphia have received millions
Dollars in the form of government contracts to manage a network of welfare services, including shelter
For homeless veterans, temporary transitional homes for former drug addicts
who have been weaned, and a temporary home for parolees. The extraordinary collaboration
This is between government bodies and a religious group, which describes God as a boy with a face
A baby and blue skin, hints at the expected challenges for President Bush and his initiative
Expand government support for social services managed by
religious organizations.
"The White House Office for Religion-Based Initiatives and Community Initiatives", Gov
Newly established by Bush, it officially opened for business on Tuesday. the president said
that social programs of religious institutions be judged not based on their beliefs
the religiosity of their operators but according to the results. "We do not enforce any
Religion," Bush said at a February 1 prayer breakfast, "we accept
All religions are welcome."
It is possible that the president's decision will be met with question marks in the coming days.
Long-established charitable programs, such as those run by organizations
Catholic charity and aid and by the Salvation Army, are not expected to encounter
in difficulties to continue and receive government support. But smaller programs,
Those run by less traditional religions and currents, are the ones who will stand up
Obviously in the test the president's decision to avoid discrimination on the basis of religion, as well
the willingness of the public to accept this approach. Allocation of government funds to programs
Chosen religiosity also risks igniting conflicts.
Bush signed the presidential executive orders of his initiative while surrounded by
Ten Christian priests, two Jewish leaders and one Muslim imam,
And he described the event as a "picture that shows the strength and diversity"
of the state. But if the religious portrait of the United States is a window
Stained glass is big, after all these leaders represent only a few parts
large of the same colored glass.
Members are now busy with a wide variety of religious groups, some of which have been considered
At the time, they were very far from the mainstream, in preparing applications for funding
government for the type of programs that Bush said he would focus on: deforestation,
Sexual celibacy (as a way to avoid pregnancies, AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases) and use
on drugs The Church of Scientology plans to seek support for the plans
The detoxification of drugs and her inheritance of reading and writing. Reverend Son's church
Myung Moon, whose name is now the "Family Federation for World Peace
and for the Union, the United States," plans to advance its plans to encourage
Sexual celibacy in schools.
"You will see us deeply involved in the field where we can be
Partners in practical projects with the administration," said Reverend Philip Shanker, Lt
The president of the Union Church in charge of public relations, on his desk was laid
A copy of a magazine you have just subscribed to, detailing opportunities
for signing contracts with the government.
And the Krishna leaders, who have 40 centers in American cities, are calling
Persistence to David Dobson, Executive Director of Programs in Philadelphia on behalf of Hari
Krishna - a Hindu stream that is often persecuted in the United States but
Well established in India - to consult him on how to adopt his example and transform
for government contractors.
Bush's efforts could rekindle questions such as what constitutes a legitimate religion
and what not. One definition of religion, which is likely to be applied, grows out of the ruling of
The Supreme Court in 1965 in a case dealing with exemption from military service
religious parties. In this case the court defined religion as "sincere belief."
And meaningfully, the one who fills in my life advocating for her a place corresponding to that filled by the God of
Those who are entitled, admittedly, to exemption." By any standard this is a definition
square.
"One of the problems that the new plan could create is that some religions are very
Controversies will become very active in this area," said Philip
Jenkins, author of Mystics and Messiahs: Cult Classes and New Religions
in American History" (Oxford University Press, 2000),
and Professor of History and Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. "Management
A social program based on religious beliefs raises the question of which
Religious beliefs are off limits," he added. "Or you finance everything
The religious groups, even groups you hate, or don't even fund
one of them. I have nothing against funding anyone, but I think people
Must be prepared for problems that may arise. how do you differentiate
Between a Methodist and a member of Moon's church? The answer is you can't
distinguish".
To win $2.5 million in government contracts in Philadelphia, they removed people
Krishna is almost all evidence of their religious affiliation, said Dobson, a Hasidic
The Krishna of decades ago ditched his monk's robes in favor of a blazer
gray. But on the subject of vegetarian food, he refused to compromise. to the plan of
Dobson had a sign at the time that read "Krishna Mountains: Food
Cheers." But then some business companies that sponsored the program complained,
and the words "Krishna mountains" were removed. Now the organization is simply called "Food".
Cheers."
So far there are few hints as to how the Bush administration will respond to aid requests from
Less traditional religious groups. In an interview with the "New York Times" at the time
During the presidential election campaign, Bush was asked if he would support, for example, government funding
to the Scientologists' anti-drug program. He replied: "I have a problem
With reference to the teachings of Scientology as being on the same level as
Judaism or Christianity. This is just my personal opinion. But I'm interested
In results, I don't focus on the process."
On the White House Office for Religion-Based Initiatives and Community Initiatives already
Pressures are exerted by one group, with the aim of withholding government contracts from a group
otherwise. In recent weeks, the Jewish organization "Anti-Defamation League" has been active
Behind the scenes, trying to get the administration's promise not to cooperate with
"The Nation of Islam", headed by Louis Farrakhan, a history of
Anti-Semitic statements.
(Originally published on 20.2)
{Appeared in Haaretz newspaper, 22/2/2001{
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