Groups That Are Mildly Supportive of the Bush Plan

A number of religious groups, both mainline and evangelical Christians plus Muslims, are tentatively optimistic about the faith-based plan.

Rev. Jerry Falwell says he has "deep concerns" about the plan, but has long been convinced of the power of religion to heal and hopes that the faith-based legislation passes through Congress. Along the same lines, the Southern Baptist Convention's Richard Land is pleased that the president wants to end discrimination against religious groups, but at the same time, Land says he personally would not "touch the money with the proverbial 10-foot pole."

The Episcopal Church is likewise tepid--enthusiastic about the prospects for the plan but worried about some of its implications. Episcopal News Service quotes Rev. Jim Donald, a community leader from Washington state: "We're doing a lot of work and we'd like more money, say that trillion-and-a-half [dollar] tax cut," he said. "But when you get into working with the government, you get into a kind of bureaucratic hell."

The

, in a statement, "cautions the American Muslim community against a hasty endorsement of the proposed legislation." But the

supports the measure, saying government should be a "supporter, not an obstacle to overcome" in social service efforts."

		On Beliefnet
		 Exclusive Interview with Jerry Falwell  Richard Land on Religious Discrimination  Richard Land on Faith-Based Organizations  Bush Faith-Based Plan Requires an Overhaul by Pat Robertson
		On the Web
		 Muslim Public Affairs Council Statement  Council on American-Islamic Relations official site  Episcopal News Service Report