BOB ABERNETHY, anchor: The end of the war in Iraq has brought domestic issues back in the news -- issues such as the fate of President Bush's faith-based initiative, his attempt to make it easier for religion-related charities to apply for government grants.After two years of controversy, legislation supporting the proposal's most important provisions collapsed last month in the Senate. But it turns out that the initiative is still alive.
I talked about the faith-based initiative and its philosophy with Jim Towey, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Towey once worked with Mother Teresa and also is a former head of the state welfare system in Florida.
JIM TOWEY (Director, White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives): I think the president sees government and religion having complementary roles, that there are certain things government can do, and do well. And that there are certain things that faith-based organizations can do well. He often says, "Government can't love" -- that it's not capable of developing that relationship with the poor.ABERNETHY: Towey thinks people in faith-based organizations can often develop that compassionate relationship better than other providers.
Mr. TOWEY: I administered social services at the state level and had billions of dollars in resources every year. And what you recognize when you do that work is government is principal and central and key, but if it isn't working in partnership with faith-based and grassroots groups who can develop a relationship with that poor man or woman that comes in, you're wasting your time. It's going to always be a Band-Aid. It's never going to lead to lasting effect in the lives of the poor.
ABERNETHY: When the president's faith-based proposal was first announced, it ran into strong opposition from defenders of church-state separation. But the White House insisted it was not asking government to support religion.
Mr. TOWEY: Government should not fund religion or faith. That would be the worst thing that could happen to faith and religion, and it's also contrary to our Constitution. You can't preach on Uncle Sam's money. We draw the line where you start dealing with religious words and preaching.ABERNETHY: That means no direct funding of any program with a strong religious component.
Mr. TOWEY: For example, a program in Los Angeles is built around the Torah, Judaism. Very successful. You can't directly fund that program because it is so centered around spiritual messages and principles. Teen Challenge is very successful in treating addiction. They center theirs around Jesus Christ.
Mr. TOWEY: We also find programs, like at Salvation Army and other places, where there are spiritual dimensions to the treatment regimen, but it's separate. It's not funded with the government money.
ABERNETHY: In the Senate, concern about hiring discrimination and possible funding of religion killed the language the White House wanted. But Towey remains committed to the importance of encouraging compassionate attitudes.
It's different when faith-based groups are out there. They are there to love and to befriend and to walk with and welcome while they are serving them soup. And I just think we have to keep in mind that those things often are what helps a person respond, versus some cold, sterile program.
