President Bush, in his State of the Union address, argued forcefully for continuing charitable choice, his faith-based initiative, which sanctions the funneling of taxpayer dollars directly to houses of worship providing social services.

AJC cares deeply about both religious liberty and the provision of effective social services. But we have long raised concerns about the advisability and constitutionality of charitable choice. By allowing government funds to flow to pervasively religious entities, charitable choice unwisely opens the door to government advancement of religion, support for employment discrimination, and a general weakening of religious autonomy.

Continue reading ‘President Bush Wrong on Charitable Choice’