Bush touts funding for religious charities

WASHINGTON — President Bush said Thursday that the federal government gave more than $2.1 billion in grants to religious charities last year, a 7 percent increase from the prior year and proof, he said, that his administration has made it easier for religious groups to obtain taxpayer money.

Speaking to a White House-organized conference of 1,200 charity leaders from across the country, Bush said the administration is creating "a level playing field" for religious organizations to compete with secular groups to run drug-treatment programs, homeless shelters and other social services.

Government's role is "to fund, not to micromanage how you run your programs," he said. "I repeat to you, you can't be a faith-based program if you don't practice your faith."

The speech was partly an appeal to religious supporters and partly a response to rising criticism. In recent months, religious leaders have complained that the president's proposed budget cuts would fall primarily on the backs of the poor by restricting food stamps, Medicaid and other social spending, while preserving long-term tax cuts.

In his speech, Bush also urged private foundations and corporations to "reach beyond the norm" and fund more religious groups.

Critics take issue with the president's insistence that religious charities that receive taxpayer dollars can retain the right to hire and fire based on religion. Taxpayers are being required to pay for programs where they would not be allowed to work or even volunteer, argues the Rev. Barry Lynn, director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

Lynn says the administration is cutting social-service spending across the board and using the faith-based initiative to divert attention from the cuts.