TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Religious groups serve Florida's foster children, public school students, and inmates. The state encourages religious institutions to provide public services. The policy, which "now permeates life in our state," said Governor Jeb Bush, takes down the wall between church and state.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that related efforts fulfill a pledge Bush made five years ago in his first inaugural address that state government would pursue a "moral and spiritual awakening."
Church-state separatists and civil libertarians may be alarmed as the balance between the roles of government and religion shifts toward religion.
Bush promotes state agencies and churches working together. He set up an advisory board to recommend how faith-based groups can get "fair and equitable access to state government."
Bush's policies echo his brother's push for faith-based social services. President George W. Bush presented that idea again in his State of the Union address. He also called for new tax breaks to encourage charitable giving and easier rules for religious groups to get federal money.
People on the other side of the debate are troubled by the mix of government and religion. Larry Spalding, spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union, wants them like oil and water.
"We really don't think the government should be involved in the finances of churches," Spalding said. "At some point, you run the risk of deciding which religion you like better rather than what program you like better."
Gov. Bush continues to appoint conservative Christians to social service positions. He has also appointed many conservatives and religious fundamentalists to boards that help select new judges.
"It's not right that an organization which may have a cross or Star of David or crescent on its walls be excluded from providing a helping hand to someone in need," Gov. Bush said. "There are people who create theses egregious stereotypes of people of faith, implying bad motives ... There are all sorts of programs where faith-based programs should be at the table. They should not be excluded."
