Executive Order on Faith-Based Initiatives and Some Responses

December 12, 2002

Source: The Anti-Defamation League

http://www.adl.org/PresRele/CvlRt_32/4210_32.asp

On December 12, 2002 The Anti-Defamation League reported that "Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement: 'While we welcome the President's remarks making it clear that he supports the Constitutional mandate requiring that no federal funds be used to directly support inherently religious activities, we are very concerned that the Executive Order he signed will allow taxpayer dollars to be used to fund positions that discriminate on the basis of religion. Religious institutions have always been permitted to take religion into account when hiring; the President's order represents a serious departure that would allow religion to be taken into account when hiring for a government-funded position. We urge the President to ensure that those religious organizations given federal money are not allowed to proselytize while delivering their social services; that beneficiaries of these social services must be offered feasible secular alternatives; that extremist groups do not get public money.'"