Faith-Based Rehabilitation Programs and Federal Funding

February 12, 2003

Source: The Times-Picayune

On February 12, 2003 The Times-Picayune reported that "to the 100 or so people who assemble at Healing Place Church every Friday night seeking help for their struggles with addictions, compulsions and cravings that have overtaken their lives, Darren Myles dispenses common-sense advice... Although the suggestions may seem obvious, Myles adds one more thing: The key to embracing this change of lifestyle, he says, is developing a relationship with God... The emphasis on adopting Christianity is not unusual for a church service. But Myles' sermon is part of a rehabilitation program that has been cited by President Bush as the kind of work he wants the federal government to encourage -- much to the chagrin of civil libertarians and others worried about taxpayer dollars supporting explicitly religious groups."