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Speaking Out

A Promising Start for Obama's Faith-Based Office

Why we are encouraged — and still have a major concern.

Stephen V. Monsma and Stanley Carlson-Thies | posted 2/09/2009 09:55AM

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The kickoff of Obama's faith-based initiative gives us much hope, along with our major concern. What is needed is vigilance, careful monitoring to watch how policy and practice develop. The newly formed Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance — of which one of us is the president and one the chairman of the board — is one means to this end. Last week's events dictate that parachurch ministries, whether they seek federal funds or simply are subject to federal laws, should adopt a posture of hope — and wariness.

Stephen V. Monsma is research fellow at Calvin College's Henry Institute for the Study of Christianity and Politics and the author of several studies of faith-based organizations and their nature and effectiveness. Stanley Carlson-Thies is president of the Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance and former staff member in the Bush White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

Related Elsewhere:

We also follow faith-based initiative issues on the politics blog. Earlier coverage of President Obama's White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships includes:

Obama Expands Faith-Based Office | The President maintains Bush's hiring policy and shapes specific priorities for the office. (Feb. 6, 2009)

New Director Offers Vision for Faith-Based Office | Joshua DuBois tells CT how the new Office for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships is different from the Bush administration's office. (Feb. 6, 2009)

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February (Web-only) 2009, Vol. 53

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Lucas Ferreira de Paula / Brazil

Posted: February 19, 2009 2:21 PM


Dear Lord, I cant believe that still exist americans that thinks that he or she is better than anyone else. If you think that what Obama did is a bad thing, thats ok, that your problem, but here in Brazil for example, abortion is still a very serious crime, its one of our strongest constitutional afirmations, the right to life.

melboe

Posted: February 18, 2009 9:03 AM


Are you KIDDING ME? This man, in his first week in office, signed 3 bills that will do nothing but ensure the MURDER of millions of innocent lives - and not just here in America...NO, NO, NO, we are going to take this particular crime out to all mannor of 3rd world countries, because we Americans, we always know best! It is going to be a very very long four years.

Cynthia in SA

Posted: February 13, 2009 7:16 AM


US is blessed with the Leader who is surrounded by "God's Servants". I just pray that South Africa must learn from President Obama and elect a Leader who will be supported by those who know the Word of God. May God Bless South Africa in their Elections.

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