An update from the Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy, an independent research
project of the Rockefeller Institute of Government. The public policy research arm of the State
University of New York.

New! ACLU Seeks Investigation into Federally Funded Sexual
Abstinence Program

The American Civil Liberties Union is demanding that the federal government and state of Oregon
investigate whether religious messages are part of an abstinence education program funded by taxpayers.
The ACLU of Oregon has threatened to sue both governments if such investigations are not completed, and
suspected problems are not corrected, by the end of the month. The liberal watchdog group contends that
the program likely violates federal and state constitutional provisions intended to separate church and state.
The ACLU’s questions come as federal support for abstinence-only education programs is waning and
congressional Democrats have said they plan to cut off a key funding stream for them, known as Title V.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Correspondent Claire Hughes.

Abstinence education is a service area that has been identified as especially suitable for collaboration
between government and faith-based providers. It was one of four areas that the Roundtable examined
during its annual conference in December. The topic inspired the most spirited debate of the conference,
primarily over the proper role of government in monitoring religious service providers. The Roundtable
also has resources on guidance and monitoring available through our Resource Page, “Guidance to Faith-
Based Organizations Partnering with Government.”

Click here for a transcript of the 2006 Roundtable conference session on abstinence education.

Click here for the Roundtable's Resource Page on Guidance to Faith-Based Organizations.

New! Religious Leaders Work Both Sides of Immigration Debate

As the Senate this week debates a bipartisan immigration reform bill, religious leaders continued to play an
integral role in influencing a compromise on legislation to determine the futures of 12 million illegal
immigrants, some of whom the religious organizations serve and protect. Hundreds of religious groups are
creating lobbying coalitions, sponsoring newspaper and radio advertisements, and sending letters to
congressional offices in an attempt to alter various aspects of the bill, as the Senate attempts to craft a
workable law to reform immigration policies. At issue for some religious leaders is a moral concern that
immigrant families be treated humanely by the law. The view of some other religious leaders is that a bill
offering amnesty for immigrants could threaten American values.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Washington Correspondent Anne Farris.

Jimmy Carter Criticizes President Bush and Faith-Based Initiative

In a May 19 interview with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, former President Jimmy Carter blasted the
Bush administration’s policies, leveling some of his harshest criticism at the Faith-Based and Community
Initiative. He criticized the allocation of funds to religious institutions whose work may benefit only their
own members. And he referred to Bush as the only President who has not shown respect for a separation of
church and state. Carter later retracted some of his remarks, saying they were “careless or misinterpreted,”
but made no corrections regarding his opinion of the faith-based effort.

Click here for the original article and other media reports that followed.

Weekly Digest of Federal Grants with Faith-Based and Community
Organization Eligibility

The grant opportunities this week for community and faith-based organizations are through programs
administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Justice, the
Corporation for National and Community Service, and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Potential applicants should be aware that some grant programs require specific technical expertise, or
experience with particular foreign countries.

Click here for the grant digest, compiled by Roundtable Correspondent Allison Sarnoff with Lisa Montiel.

Roundtable Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

Local church opens rehabilitation shelter
The Searcy Daily Citizen (Arkansas)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6490

How Sectarian Is Too Sectarian?: A federal judge ruled Friday that Colorado is entitled
to bar state scholarship funds from going to students at "pervasively sectarian" institutions.
Inside Higher Education

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6477

Lesbian alleges shelter left her out in the cold: Pastor denies any discrimination
Chicago Tribune (Illinois)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6485

Long-term endeavor set to reclaim streets: March slated this week
The Delmarva Daily Times (Maryland)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6479

Cajon High sophomore reaches out to her peers
San Bernardino County Sun (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6480

Synagogues working on recovery network: Teams will address drugs, alcoholism
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6481

Faith vs. meth: Religious community gathers to support faith-based initiatives against meth
Times-News (Idaho)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6482

Faith groups learn how to prepare for disasters
Ventura County Star (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6483

Faith-based recovery to aid Eagle Pass: Group to help residents
expected to "fall through the cracks" in Texas-Mexico border town.
Disaster News Network

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6484

Faith-based corrections contracts draw lawsuit
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6486

Faith-based rehab sparks group's suit
Palm Beach Post (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6487

Sex ed in the Miami Valley remains controversial: Governor announced
in March that Ohio would reject Title V funding for abstinence-only classes.
Lebanon Western Star (Ohio)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6478

Louisiana school district sued over Bibles in school
Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6488

Democrats say they will end abstinence-only funding
Religion News Service

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6462

County to work for more money for homeless women's shelter
The Vicksburg Post (Mississippi)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6464

House wants preachers to tone it down: Some clerics have ignored guidelines
The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6465

Officials, faith leaders discuss emergency preparedness:
First responders, ministers meet to improve communication
Frederick News Post (Maryland)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6467

City Council to review appeal of Teen Challenge decision
The Eureka Reporter (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6468

Reading The Future: Volunteers help students advance through one-on-one attention.
Tampa Tribune (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6469

Funding for Abstinence Likely to Drop
Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6463

Richmond: Mayor Joins Clergy Members In Washington Demanding An End To Ice Raids
KPIX-TV (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6466

"Congregation " means more than it used to in this church: Shepherd's Path, an unusual
 new church community in Prior Lake, will include senior housing, a teen shelter and a YMCA.
Minneapolis Star Tribune (Minnesota)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6470

CERT classes offer safety tips for citizens, emergency responders
Jefferson City News Tribune (Missouri)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6471

Volunteers yes, clothing no: Volunteers in Greensburg cleaning up tornado-ravaged town and farmlands.
Disaster News Network

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6472

Salvation Army gives mission hope
Florida Times-Union

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6473

Expansion of clinics that treat poor seen
The Associated Press State & Local Wire

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6474

Civic, Faith Leaders Gather For Safer Dayton
WHIO-TV (Ohio)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6475

Weekly Opinion Roundup - 5/22/2007
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy

The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy promotes informed debate on the issue of publicly funded faith-based social service. Supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Roundtable provides independent, non-partisan research on the scope and scale of faith-based social services, their effectiveness, how public resources are being used in providing such services, and the legal and regulatory issues involved. The Roundtable's comprehensive web site makes this research and related information easily available. It can be accessed by clicking here:

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