Other Christian leaders, like Pat Robertson and the Rev. Jerry Falwell, have expressed grave concerns about a world where the federal government is forced to fund faith-based charities where the faith in question is Scientology or the Hare Krishnas. Bush then began arguing the case for allowing religious groups a greater role in receiving federal funds. But they should take a look around them. Public money already goes to groups like the Center for the Homeless and, on a larger scale, to Catholic Charities. Medicaid and Medicare money currently goes to religious hospitals.
Government loans send countless students to religious colleges.
Of course not. What Bush did not explain was that many of these organizations have set up separate and distinct programs that do not preach while providing the shelter, healthcare or education paid for with federal funding. Groups such as Teen Challenge, however, provide their services directly through proselytizing activities. That is an important distinction, and Bush has not yet explained his public position. To critics of the House bill, however, this is a meaningless distinction.