Faith-Based Initiatives and the Bush Administration: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Designed to level the playing field between sacred and secular organizations, President George W. Bush's 'faith-based initiative' is intended to allow religious agencies to compete for federal funds to carry out their charitable missions. The initiative has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with a wide range of religious and secular organizations arguing both for and against the plan. Faith-Based Initiatives and the Bush Administration looks at the ramifications of the President's attempted policy change and analyzes the 'faith-based initiative' in its larger historical, political, and social context. Noted scholars Jo Renee Formicola, Mary C. Segers, and Paul Weber explore the rationale behind the policy, examine the legal and philosophical counter-arguments, and reveal the political dynamics impacting the legislation.