Bush helped loosen state control of religious social services. But until you do clinical trials on their effectiveness, you've got nothing. Many states, including Texas, already award government money to established religious organizations such as Jewish Federations and Catholic Charities for housing, community development and addiction treatment programs. Under the president's plan, programs could get government money if they include religious components. Activities such as prayer and Bible reading would be allowed as long as tax dollars weren't used to pay for supplies.
Critics say the new plan violates the constitutional separation of church and state.
As governor of Texas, the president launched a similar initiative that's now the subject of a lawsuit. The suit alleges that organizers used the money to buy Bibles and taught participants that a relationship with Jesus Christ was key to finding and keeping a job. The governor's office said the money was used appropriately. People who didn't want the religious instruction were free to attend the nonreligious programs offered in Washington County, said the Rev. George Nelson Jr., who founded the program. The church-state matter is a side issue for people such as Dr. Wineburg.