Source: The New York Times

On February 20, 2001, The New York Times reported that "members of a wide variety of religious groups, some once considered far outside the mainstream, are busy preparing proposals for government financing" under President Bush's new faith-based initiative. Among these groups are the Church of Scientology and the the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. "Mr. Bush's effort could provoke new questions about what constitutes a legitimate religion." Bush has said that he does not view all religions to be on par with one another, but he says he is more interested in results than in the process. He "has told religious leaders that his program will allow them greater leeway to integrate their teachings into their community service and still be eligible for federal aid." Bush reportedly will not allow funding of programs offered by groups such as the Nation of Islam, where, as he says, "spite and hate is the core of the message."