A Library of Quotations on Religion and Politics by George W. Bush

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Faith-Based Organizations (back to index)
On faith-based organizations:
Q: You have been promoting the idea of letting faith-based organizations receive federal funding. But how are you going to do this when so many people out there criticize this as a violation of the separation of church and state?

Bush: The state should not be the church, and the church should never be the state. But we ought to welcome people of faith into the political process. And we ought to understand that government can hand out money, but it cannot put hope in people's hearts. Government is limited in its ability to encourage love.

Therefore, while the government spends money, it should not preclude programs of faith that are helping people in times of need. The church and state can be separated even when we welcome faith-based programs onto government property.

Charles Colson's Prison Fellowship ministry comes to mind. They are operating a Christian prison in Texas. They are saying, "Why don't we change prisoners' hearts--and watch their attitudes change." Look at the Teen Challenge ministry. I think taxpayers' money should be allowed to be redeemed in these kinds of programs without forcing them to change their mission.

I don't believe that is violating the separation of church and state. I think we just need to understand the power of the church, synagogue and mosque to change people's lives. We need to welcome them into the process in a hospitable way, in a way that doesn't threaten them or in a way that creates a bureaucracy that prevents them from fulfilling their mission. If the government helps a person so that they make a choice as to where they can get their life saved, that's not a violation of the separation of church and state.
From "God and the Governor," Charisma Magazine interview, August 29, 2000

"In every instance where my administration sees a responsibility to help people, we will look first to faith-based organizations, charities and community groups that have shown their ability to save and change lives....

"We will never ask an organization to compromise its core values and spiritual mission to get the help it needs....

"Some Washington politicians call these efforts 'crumbs of compassion.' These aren't 'crumbs' to people whose lives are changed, they are the hope of renewal and salvation. These are not the 'crumbs of compassion,' they are the bread of life. And they are the strength and soul of America."
Speech on the role of faith-based organizations. Metro Church, Indianapolis, Indiana, July 22, 1999

"Americans understand when I talk about faith-based programs, I'm not saying the government is going to take over the church, or the church is going to take over government.

"What I am saying is that we're going to welcome people of faith to help change people's lives in America. Inherit in that statement is an optimistic view of the future. I am very optimistic, because as I said in that high school crowd [at Butler Traditional High School, Louisville, KY], 'The true strength of America lies in the fact that we are a faithful America by and large.' "
Interview with the Baptist Press, the national news service of the Southern Baptist Convention, August 31, 2000

On the separation of church and state:
Q: Do you think we've gone too far in one direction or another?

Bush: Well, let me just say this. I think we must maintain the balance of church and state. I think that's a really important principle. It depends on the area that you're talking about. I've heard from a lot of very important leaders in different communities around America that are deeply concerned about my charitable-choice position. They hear me talk about the power of faith changing people's hearts as being one successful remedy to many of the social ills. And then it makes them nervous when they hear me say, "And I intend to encourage faith-based institutions to perform their commonplace miracles of renewal." So it sounds like to them that I want government to fund religious institutions.

And I argue the case: What I'm asking for is government to empower people to make decisions or to fund the programs within certain institutions of faith. And I argue that's a difference. They don't. But I think it's important for me to say as often as possible I support the separation of church and state. In this case we have a different definition. We have a different application of funding programs and people as opposed to funding church. And what I ask people to do is join me in recognizing that there are certain social objectives we'd like to achieve, such as reducing prison recidivism, getting people off drugs. And if a program changes a heart and we achieve that objective, we as a society ought to say thanks.
US News Online, "George W. Bush: Running on His Faith"

On prison ministries:
Q: Under your proposals for helping faith-based organizations, money might go to something like a prison fellowship that teaches prisoners the Bible as part of the program to help people toward recovery.

Bush: Yes, absolutely.

Q: How would you feel if government money instead was, say, subsidizing the Muslim group that taught prisoners the Qur'an?

Bush: The question I'd be asking is what are the recidivism rates? Is it working? And secondly, is there a secular alternative available? So the answer to your question is I wouldn't object at all if the program worked.

Q: Even though, effectively, it would mean that taxpayer money would be going to help a group teach the Qur'an or the Bible?

Bush: Right, that's right. But effectively, what I'm focusing on is the prisoner and the result of the program. I mean, I answered this question a lot in Texas. It can be any religion. And the question was, "Are you promoting religion by using people's, taxpayers' money?" And I said, "No, I'm promoting lower recidivism rates, and we will measure to make sure that that's the case."

A results-oriented world says "let's achieve some common objectives and some common goals," and if teaching Bible study or the Qur'an is a method that works, we should welcome it, so long as it's a voluntary program and people, of course, there is going to be a secular alternative that's called 'regular jail.' But so long as the prisoners can pick and choose.
Beliefnet.com editor-in-chief Steven Waldman's interview with Bush, October 2000

"We turned over a prison unit in Fort Bend County, Texas [to Chuck Colson prison ministries]. I said, "Come on." I asked the question, does it work, is it going to make a difference. Of course, you see, I think it makes a difference because it made a difference in my life, faith made a difference in my personal life, and so I felt confident. I felt confident that something positive would happen....

"And people say to me all the time, does it have to be a Christian ministry? No. A Muslim could come so long as it works, so long as changing a heart in this case achieves what we want, which is a reduced recidivism rate.

"One of the interesting stories was, I was standing out there getting ready to have the press conference, and the church choir came out. And my mother in me crept out and so I jump in line with them and I'm singing my favorite song, "Amazing Grace," in front of all the TV cameras. And next, I'm holding this man's shoulder and looking him in the eye, and he had this great glow to him, and I said, "Hey, what are you here for?" He said, "I've been here for 19 and a half years. I'm here for murder, and I'm getting out in six months." I said, "Lord bless you."

"The reason I bring that up is because the real strength of the program is not only what happens inside the ministry, inside the walls of the prison, but most importantly or as importantly is what happens outside. And what has to happen to make this work is for some church family to hear the call, to welcome this man as he comes out of prison after 19 and a half years. He's had the seed planted in his heart, that mustard seed that's growing over time, and the question is, will there be somebody there to nurture it, to help him on his walk.
Town Meeting, Columbia, South Carolina, February 12, 2000

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