CNN

Explain this all of you that bash Republicans for listening to evangelists.
If the Federal government cannot find EVERY religion in America and fund all their efforts they should not offer a penny. To do otherwise is to lean toward an "official state religion" this is expressly forbidden in the 1st amendment of the constitution.

I love how Cooper and the media call him obama.

They should just call him Barak and Michelle.

He is not really presidential, he is more like the guy next door that you have a pickup b ball game with. That is what I like. I guy who brings the presidency down to the level of his people. Nope he is a politician but not really a leader. Take another poll barak and see where you stand today. Cooper has you down to 65% AND dropping.

How come you will not post my comments about CAIR hiring a Southern Baptist?

I will let the DEMS fight it out on this one.

They wil beat themselves up over this. ACLU liberals vs. a bunch of crazy baptists from the inner cities. Wow nice fight. Now go to it.

CNN, why did you close the letters for Obama's religious transformation. Why didn't you mention about Reverend Wright who must have been an inspiration to our President. In his speech he mentioned about St. Agustine. I want to know what he knows about St. Agustine. Just snippets, soundbites. What happens to those thousands of babies being aborted? You, Mr. President is hypocrite. Do not preach religion to us while you do not practice it. Every human life has a value including those in GITMO and those who are unborn. You are encouraging gay life. You are a disaster to our society. Of course media is giving you too much publicity but there is nothing in you to be published. We thought you would learn something from great leaders like Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, Ronald Reagan. Regretfully, you are going in the opposite direction. I know CNN will have difficulty to moderate this letter but let us watch and know the facts.

1 Corinthians 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup or the LORD, and the cup of the devil, " Ye cannot be partakers of the LORD's table, and of the table of the devil. " Do we provoke the LORD to jealousy? are we stronger than He? The answer is no, we're not. " VI Thou shalt not kill, which means, " Thou shalt not commit criminal homicide, in other words, "premeditated murder, that's what it means, to plan, or to lie in wait. " Abortion- planned, premeditated murder. " Deuteronomy 22:5, The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garmment, for all that do so are " Abomination unto the LORD thy God. " this has nothing to do with clothes, this is talking about, women's taking the place of a man with another woman, and a man taking the place of a woman with another man, sexually, an abomination to Almighty God, you bet, " and you called that discrimination, no it wasn't the Church that said it, it was Almighty God Himself, " Now all of you that believe in " abortion, and gay rights take it up with God, and see how far you get.

Keep religion and government separate. No tax dollars should go to churches or other religious institutions. Nothing but trouble.

Easy solution: End the entire program. Then there's nothing to be controversial about.

February 5th, 2009 2:54 pm ET

"Enough of this "Obama" crap from your reporters and talking heads, it's "President Obama", a little respect please!"

Rufus- You mean the same respect people have given all previous republican presidents?? He is going to have to earn my respect and I haven't seen anythign that impresses me yet.

I will give as much respect to Obama as the democrats have given Bush. So I don't have to show any.

What a slap in the face to secular voters. Who's "clinging to religion" now?

In my opinion, any organization supported by federal funding should not have allow to practise discrimination in hiring. Federal law prohibits that practise and faith based organization should not be exempted.

Maybe rename the "Office of Faith Based Initiatives" to the " Office of Faith/No Faith Based Initiatives."

This way NoBama can have it both ways.

Maybe replace the phrase on our currency with "In (fill in the blank) We Trust"

The Constitutional Law Lecturer-in-Chief apparently does not understand or subscribe to the Wall of Separation doctrine which has evolved in First Amendment jurisprudence over hundreds of years. His South Side Chicago brand of raucous racist Christianity has no place in the White House or in any public institution.

CNN PLEASE REPORT THE NEWS. STOP BEING SO NEGATIVE. ALL YOU DO IS CREATE HATE,DOUBT, ANIMOSITY.

CAMBELL BROWN' NO BIAS . NO BULL IS NOTHING BUT BIAS. I TURN HER OFF CAN'T STAND HER.

Let the government keep things running smoothly. Cut the pork and worthless spending(Give me a billion dollars and I promise I will create new jobs!) And let the churches provide for peoples spiritual needs! Stop the forcing of your ideas on others(Jesus didn't). What WOULDN'T Jesus Do needs to be peoples new slogan.

"NO FAITH BASED INITIATIVES
if you libs said no to Bush on this, say no to Obama on this.
BE CONSISTENT FOR ONCE"

Hey Proud American, "us libs" said no to idiotic religious zealotry that undermined the good of the country. By contrast, Obama is taking a measured, inclusive and balanced approach to this meager base pandering effort of the Bush administration.

Enough of this "Obama" crap from your reporters and talking heads, it's "President Obama", a little respect please!

I am quite frankly tired of people claiming America is a "Christian Nation." A quick litmus test: What is the OFFICIAL RELIGION of the US? What, no answer? Then you're right, because there IS no official religion. We are no more a "Christian Nation" based on the fact that the majority is Christian than we are a "White Nation" based on the fact that the majority is white.

Keep religion where it belongs: in private. I don't mean you need to hide it, you just need to quit hitting me upside the head with your Bibles.

Specific to "Thinking Out Loud",

Apparently you aren't doing much of the first part of your name before engaging in the back half of your name.

Let me understand exactly what you are saying....to paraphrase you, all forms of religious discrimination are OK because, in the end, you think that they apparently protect YOU from having to hire a trans-gendered person?

Further, are you saying that you wanted to hire a MAN in the first place at the exclusion of ALL women? Or is it that you are specifically targeting men who BECOME women (apparently clandestinely after the interview process, but before the first day of work)? I want to understand exactly what form of gender discrimination you are advocating – as if either form is defensible. And, I take it, you would legalize discriminating against Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, etc., to fulfill your desire to avoid these plotting she-males.

srsly people? to the guy who said rape is nbd. wow, it's people like you that is wrong with america.

As for the jim and jenny thing! Thinking out loud are you serious?! you do have some points TO A DEGREE however you should look at someone on the inside rather than the out. if you hired jim and he comes as jenny and does a better job as jenny than who cares if you hired jim. jenny happens to be more productive. Also who cares what some ones orientation is. its their right and choice. also we are all sitting here talking about sep. of church and state yet no one wants to discuss the first two paragraphs of OUR (KEY WORD) nations DECLERATION OF INDEPENDENCE. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

This faith based initiative really gets my goat. Churches have a great deal of money. They are not taxed and they build east wings, west wings, north wings and south wings to their churches all of the time. I live in Houston and a mega-church pops up every day. They should not be allowed tax payer monies. Who voted for this? Nobody voted for this. It was just shoved down our throats by Bush and Obama thinks he has to save it to appeal to the fringe loonys on the right. I quess he is trying to do everything possible to make up for his 20 years listening to the vile diatribe of Rev. Wright. If they get monies from the federal government and are still able to discriminate then they should no longer be tax exempt. They want to have their cake and eat it too. Does any of this money go toward helping gay people become straight. I hope not. They should be forced to hire gay people or give the money back. This is very easy to understand. Churches did not pay one dime of this money to the federal government and millions of gay people did.

I remain hopeful for Obama, but less than before. Continuing bad Bush ideas to kowtow to America's religious extremists is not exactly change, nor was hiring the usual suspects to help him lead.

I keep lowering my expectations with Obama. What a shame.

Glad to hear we have faith, hope, charity.

Your comment is awaiting moderatoin.

This will be Obama's way of requiring religious organizations to accept homosexuals and non-believers into their activities. God is watching, Obama, you can't escape Him. God made the rules, not you.

Obama is the Anit-Christ

I am sick of tired of the racist that pounce on any article about our new President. Ridiculous.

Cheney coming out talking a bunch of bull on meds apparently. Andrew Card and the wearing a suitcoat.

Why don't you all shut up considering we are trying to endure the cleanup of a mess that Bush made with 1.5 TRILLION $$$ Deficit after coming in with a SURPLUS?

You all look pathetic.

This is the best way to run the office. I second the President idea, religion is not above the constitutionh, seperation of church and state. It is spirituality that will save us and the global community, religion is a tool for those who do eveil in the dark and while trying to be "righteous" in the light, but they can't. President Bush office was a sham, President O office have the intent to help all Americans regardless of religious affiliations. HOPE FLOATS ETERNAL!

I thought we voted for CHANGE this is more of the same. If President Obama wants to have a clean break from the last eight years of the worst President in HISTORY, then he should get rid of this office all together COMPLETLY.

I wonder if Obama will have his faith-based program assist in providing late-term abortions?

Gee, Barack, which part of Christ's Sermon on the Mount did he mention it being ok to kill a growing baby?

There is "contentious debate " no matter what Obama does.. People act and talk as though he has been in office 2 years and has nothing done.. Is is too black, too white too left too right... give me a break.

Those who are concerned that their tax money is going to religious institutions can relax. With an $11 trillion dollar deficit, we are running about 10 years behind in paying for anything. Your tax dollars are going to pay for the 1998 budget, the Clinton impeachment hearings, and rebuilding the US Embassy in Nairobi. We haven't even paid for Y2K yet.

here's why we are having this discussion.. jim wants to work for me . i give him the job. but, when he comes in for work he's there as jenny... i believe in equality but this is the kind of foolishness that we are being asked to tolerate.. if i wanted jenny i would have hired jenny! we have tv commercials with people saying don't look at who i am on the outside. look at who i am inwardly. folks please? jim can never be jenny inwardly or outward!!!

oh wow why did we stop blogging all of a sudden tryth hit?!

Do people really not know what the separation of church and state is? The state was not to get into the churches business, not the church get into the states business because the church, a body of believers of Jesus Christ, could help the state if the state would come looking for Biblical advise. Man, what a country this America would be. A truly Godly country! If you don't believe me look it up. But somewhere along the line someone has come along and twisted everything around.

As for Obama being a Christian, I don't believe he really is because being a Christian is suppose to be Christ-like and Christ, Jesus, would not have signed that bill to start sending money to other countries to help with abortions. America has got enough problems killing babies without helping other countries to kill babies also.

Is that my only beef, no, but when it comes to killing babies, that is the main one. As for women that are raped, I don't doubt that is a horrible thing but I know a young woman personally that was raped, got pregnant by that rape and had her child. She is sick about the rape but loves that child with all her heart.

These organizations should NOT receive federal money- period and they should not have a tax-exempt status. Much of the money given to these organizations during the last 8 years went to help conservatives push their political agendas in churches all across this country. "Religion" has no place in politics.

There were people who's churches were bombed in the south,there was lynchings after church services,there were crosses burned on front lawns,cetain people weren't buried with others in a graveyard because of differences, even before abortion, slave babies were cut out of a slave woman's stomach,and the owners stepped on,and crushed the babies; ALL IN THE NAME OF JESUS!!!. And you pseudo/diabolical "CHRISTIANS" want to call President Obama
the anti-Christ. I am a supporter of President Obama-even though some of his views(including abortion) concerns me (which I hope he can change that tune). We still should give him a chance. We had 8 years of that "Ike and Tina" relationship with BUSH, it can't get any worse.

I am not anti religon but I believe in strict seperation of church and state .I believe if pastors try to influence government policy from the pulpit they and their church should loose their tax exempt status also those that have charitable groups and accept government money should be subject to all non discrimination laws and policies.

It's going to take some time... for faith based organizations to come around. Meanwhile many do good things for the community, and they don't descriminate who they do good things for.

This is good dialog... keep the dialog going.

Reading the posts of some of the jeezus freaks and bible thumpers underscores why we sould maintain – at all costs – SEPERATION OF CHUCH AND STATE!

Wow, there ar a lot of incoherently babbling religious nut jobs out there!

No surprise my comment wasn't posted! Thanks CNN

More controversy, this is like a nightmare that won't stop. I feel like a bunch of amateurs have taken over this country, and a very dangerous bunch of amateurs that will systematically destroy what made this country great, and that is Main street's entrepreneurial spirity and capitalist way of life. We will be more like Russia than the US of the 80s if these liberals change the structure of our country. It will be like California and Illinois and Michigan if we don't stop it.

They will try to force upon us with Acorn funding, strong unions, etc.. illegals given amnesty and ability to vote, etc.. to force upon the American people a one party system, where we can no longer have the numbers to kick these guys to the curb, and when that happens that will be the death of our economic and cultural freedom. We will be socially engineered into a model closer to Russia than what we enjoyed for the last 200 years.

There is no place for religion in government or politics!! Keep your religious beliefs to yourself and DO NOT spend my tax dollars for this nonsense.

This is an issue that because Obama is facing it, it will be dealt with in a more sane manner. When Bush introduced it, the chorus from the Liberals was hatefilled rehtoric about crazy religious zelots and discrimination etc. etc. etc.

Obama is taking his time with it because he recognizes the value of these organizations as opposed to the usual gov't programs, these groups get much more bang for the buck.

Its a tough issue and I hope he can come up witth a good solution.

Carlo, you are absolutely right. What kind of person would even say such a thing no matter what the intent and we do know what the intent was. One more reason to look forward to 2010. Stay strong Democrats.

All churchs and all their income and property should be taxed to the max like everyone else, the church,s say the money they receive from the government will not be sued to evangalize, but the money they receive from the government frees up other money for their propaganda machines, so we the taxpayers are suporting religion rather we like it or not, NO religion is the best religion.

its funny how no one wants to talk about the straight divorce rates steady increase! NOone? any takers? exactly HYPOCRITS

What is this about his wedding ring finger? does anybody know what he is wearing??????
I believe in the Lord Jesus as my Savior but I am keeping a watchful eye as the Anti-Christ will be loved by many. I just pray that we have not reached that time in our life. Our country needs prayers for everyone.

I'm a lifelong democrat and I voted for Obama because I believed his message of change and hope after 8 years of Bush. However, after seeing what he has done since being in office (hiring tax cheats, trying to push this wasteful socialist "stimulus" package on us, turning up the thermostat in the WH while telling us to turn ours down). What a hypocrite!!! I hope you all are doing your homework into the “stimulus” package. A 1500 dollar tax credit for ILLEGAL ALIENS??? I'm having buyer’s remorse about Obama. I think we've been had and I’m really worried about the future of this country. I think one party in control is very dangerous (especially with the likes of Pelosi on the Dems side).

ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL GIVEN ENAILIENABLE RIGHTS BY OUR CREATOR HIM & HIM ALONE

Christian groups who refuse to hire someone because that individual are only following the teachings of Jesus Christ and should never hire someone who is gay.

Christian groups should never accept money from the government. Instead, we should give money and serve others to continue spreading Jesus message.

CNN YOU ARE SO BIAS TO OBAMA!!!!!!!

FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS VERY LIMITED UNLESS YOUR KISSING HUISSAIN OBAMAS BUTT.

YOU POST SO MUCH JUNK BY OBAMA-MAMA AND TEXAS TEACHER ON THIS SITE WHY?????

OBAMA-MAMA AND TEXAS TEACHER ARE JUST ABOUT AS SMART AS PELOSI!!!!!!!

To repress rebellion is to maintain the status quo, a condition which binds the mortal creature in a state of intellectual or physical slavery. But it is impossible to chain man merely by slaving his body; the mind also must be held, and to accomplish this, FEAR is the ACCEPTED WEAPON. The common man must Fear Life, must Fear Death, must Fear God, Must Fear the Devil, and must Fear MOST the Overlords, the keepers of his destiny. -Manly Palmer Hail

Don't LET ANYONE TAKE AWAY YOUR FREE WILL

The War is not on 'terror' its on the HUMAN POPULATION.

NO FAITH BASED INITIATIVES

if you libs said no to Bush on this, say no to Obama on this.

BE CONSISTENT FOR ONCE

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

READING THE COMMENTS BY THE OBAMA SUPPORTERS IS SO FUNNY!!!!!!! NOTHING THIS MAN DOES OR SAYS BOTHERS YOU!!!!!

I'VE GOT SOME NEWS FOR ALL THE OBAMA FANS ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE FINALLY WAKING UP AND IN 4 YEARS IF HE LAST THAT LONG OBAMA WILL BE GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS THE PRESIDENT THAT FOOLED THE MOST PEOPLE IN HISTORY!!!!!

President Obama is the man of faith allowed him to do his job ? Even jesus done a lot but still not everybody understand him ?

FAITH BASED – SHOULD BE JUST WHAT IT IS – NOT RELIGIOUS!

Everyone take out your Websters Dictionary and look up the word FAITH.

This Agency does provide good services; BUT at the risk of "various organized religion heads"? Each with their own dogma's attached?

The "Golden Rule" of humanity has nothing to do with religion or various religions. Organized religion itself is "Babylon's Finest at work". Do your research, the sacred writings; translated and re-translated, many of them omitted. God's Gospel is SO SIMPLE, it is the GOLDEN RULE plain and simple.

GOD ID TOO BIG TO FIT INTO ONE RELIGION.....
BY FAITH and the works thereof THERE WILL BE CHANGE!

President Obama is a God send,
If your religion and the pew you sit on teaches you HATE and animosity GET OUT OF THAT SO CALLED HOUSE OF GOD..........NOW....
"For where two or more are gathered in my name, so shall I be"

If churchs are telling people who to vote for,they should be taxed.

Here are two ways to solve this problem:
-No Federal funding to religious groups.
or
-Continue Federal funding to religious groups, but they have to pay taxes.

They have been getting free money for too long for a country who was founded on separation between church and state.

I'm Lutheran but I do not care what religion–Islam, Budist, Hindu, Jewish, Mormon, if they can stretch a dollar farther and help more people, let them and somehow dollars given to faith based organizations seem to go a lot farther than most!!!! Just keep records!!

President Obama better be very careful when comes to making decisions that affect the church because he won't have to worry about being judged by the people but by God. I support separation of church and state whole heartedly because a church should not be forced to hire anyone that lives a lifestyle that's goes against what the church believes.

You know Religious groups don't have to TAKE the money !!!

Think about it Believers of God – if Jonah can speak the word of God to a city and they are saved surely, we can accept those who live a life that do not believe nor lived a life "We" say is contrary to God's word for minstry purpose. Remember: we are here to minister in uncompromising situation. THIS IS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY!!! – President Obama is helping us to do our Christian job.

This office needs to be abolished as soon as possible in order to protect religion.

If tax dollars are used in any way, the Federal government has a right to have some say in how they are spent and how the receiving organizations are managed. This is only fair. We don't want the Federal government controlling churches and their programs.

Another misnomer by the press. Can you not write a story without a controversial lead? This issue is not one JUST of Obama. It is the same question that was raised when Bush decided to have a faith based office. This title implies that it is a singular problem for Obama. Enough with the panic leads to get readership. BAD JOURNALISM.

This entire revamp is to stop religious nutjobs from discrimination tactics. Things can't be perfect for everyone, but he is making them acceptable for sane, rational, intelligent people to understand. As least as much as a single man can do with the limitations of the Constitution.

Why are so many bloggers so hateful? It's really disgusting. Religion helps this country immensly. Biggest giver of charities, and goodness.
Look at the Catholic school system in many cities. They educate children better and CHEAPER than the bloated/ineffective union run public schools. All you haters of Christians should really think about what you write and why it is so uninformed and disengenuious.
Don't forget Private schools (often religous) really pay twice for schooling!! What if all the private school kids went to public...it would bankrupt the schools!

It's funny that just because 85% of americans oppose gay marriage, we are all "hatemongers". Bloggers, go look for a job.

Is "faith in Obama" enough?

There should not be any Gov. funding to these organizations. Our founders had a reason for sepration of church and state . The discrimination by these groups is the primary one.

I don't think the federal government should be giving any money to any faith based group for any reason; it goes to the very roots of separation of church and state, (state meaning the federal government.) If you support one faith based group you must then support all, and; how do you determine what is a valid or deserving faith based group without discrimination? Further, should tax payer money be spent on a hand out to faith based groups?...

Separation of chuch and state? why are these churches accepting federal funds to begin with? that defiles the separation to begin with. not that i believe in separation of church and state, but that church should impact government and not the other way around.

I was against the Faith Based office when Bush established it and I'm still against it. A faith based organization should not be required to employ people whose beliefs are not in line with those of the organization; employees are the ultimate representatives of any organization. But, neither should the government use taxpayer money to support or otherwise help any faith based organizations. Religious groups are more than capable of supporting themselves. The office should be abolished and then any questions or debates will be irrelevant.

It is offensive to me that my tax dollars are taken by these organizations. The separation of church and state is critical in a multi-cultural and multi-religious society. President Obama needs to end this nonsense that was established by Bush as financial pay-off to key political supporters under the guise of religion. Mischief is often wrapped in the cloth of religion to ward off criticism.

President Obama, i believe that you are saved and the Lord is your Savior. Keep God first, Matthew 6:33 says "Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and all these things will be added onto you". Don't worry about all the other mess. Nobody can say that u didn't hear God, thats between you and Him. Cause The Father talks to me everyday. so i believe you. And people, if he is lying (which i don't think he is) Then God will chastise him when its time. I pray for the saftey of your family, and that u let God order your steps in directing this country, i pronounce Psalm 91:7, A thousand may fall at thy side, and then thousand may fall at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee" In Jesus Name Amen!! Be Blessed!!

you can tell the devil has his claws in a lot of you ....how sad to live a life with out hope.....keep the faith mr president ,,,, life is only for a instant in time...

President Obama believes in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he believes he must confess his sins and he'll be forgiving. Because he have that connection his soul is right with Jesus, that all that’s matters, my President is not alone God our Father in heaven is with him, and washing over him, His giving the wisdom to lead the World, he cannot do it without the God. I am a believer; I know he's being lead by God.

I love the Obamas, may God bless you, and your beautiful family
.

Why the heck is the government giving my tax money to religious organizations?..What I give to my church should take care of helping those in need...I should not have to give twice...If the government is going to provide funding for these religious groups, they should not have tax exempt status....

I happen to think straight people need to get off their high horse, try to save their marriages and not worry about anyone elses. YET AGAIN: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

The only controversy here is why we are so willing to allow religion to enter into our government's decision making processes in the first place. You want federal money? Take it with federal strings attached and accept that the Constitution determines what you can do with it, not the Bible or Quran or any other holy book.

Any belief that one has that evokes great passion is considered a religion. This religion should not be used to discourage nor deny basic humanitarian rights.

Where were you people during the election? Obama has said that these organizations can still hire who they wish for the parts of their organizations that aren't working for the outreach programs. But, if they hire someone who is working forfederally funded outreach programs then they can not discriminate based on religion, race, sexual orientation, etc.

Makes perfect sense to me.

Nice clean wording to disguise his real anti-Christ agenda. But then again, most of those so-called evangelical political types are not Christian either. Obama is a wolf in sheep's clothing and little by little he's beginning to disrobe.

The difference between God and Liberals is that God has never once thought that He was a Liberal.

These groups have never had a problem achieving outstanding results that if the goverment had to do 'by the book', would end up costing 10 times as much.

If you Libs think these groups are 'haters' as you call them...prove it.

Stop getting caught up in the minutiae try to understand that "Faith and Goverment" isn't the same thing as "Church and State"anymore than 'Deregulation' is the same thing as 'Oversight'.

There is no controversy. This man is a man of God and even Christ went out into the streets and only anger once when they were selling gold and silver within the church. We have to be careful about how and who we lash out at because Presdient Obama will need God to turn this country around. CNN this is horrible on your part. What next, I didn't see CNN going after Bush every word, this is insane. I'm tired of CNN and all the news anchor people. It's like the news channels want this man to fail so they can have something to report. We should be trying to uplift this man and pray to God the decisions he makes come from God.

It doesn't matter what good President Obama does, can do, or will do. The right-wing radical-nut-jobs will always have something negative to say. Therefore, Demy's don't get your undies in bunch over what these critics are yelping. They are just afraid that Obama will do a better job than their previous puppet(s) did over the last 8 years.

So they're critical of Obama's Stimulous plan right? Well doesn't it seem a bit strange that for 6 years spending wasn't an issue (no veto pen...absolutely nothing!) until the Democratic Congress camein. Also, doesn't seem strange that they didn't question the first Stimulous Package for Wall Street and Cowboy Bush, but now that there's one for the working class and a Democratic President...OMG! NO WAY...Head for the hills people! I like to call that a Double Standard. Or as bush would have it..."double cross."

Even though I consider myself religious, I think this office of Faith Based Initiatives should be abolished. Talk about wasted taxpayer money. This office is being funded and staffed by federal employees and our tax dollars pay their salaries. This is a prime example of a program that should go by the wayside as wasteful use of taxpayers money being spent. Instead donations could be made to homeless shelters, etc., all of which are not connected to any one faith.

The government has no right to donate federal funds (taxpayers money) to any religious organization. There are a lot of taxpayers that don't believe in a higher power, yet their money is being spent as well as ours. The feds should not be involved in any kind of faith based organization; church and state should be separate!

America does NOT need Obama's faith (shaped by hate-filled bigoted preachers) pushed by government dollars!!

Blurring the line between Church and State is unacceptable to me, but I know that there are many in America who think it's a Godsend.

And frankly, if it can loosen the choking grip that the Religious Reich has on the conservative aspects of our government, then more's the better.

You realize that these people are wailing and beating their chests over a birth control measure that represents less than 1% of the total stimulus spending bill?

Let me clarify: The Religious Reich is holding all of America hostage, and is content with us losing our homes, our jobs, and starving to death just as long as they don't have to explain condoms to their kids...

Here's the answer, basically the ONLY answer: Religious ministries stop accepting any funding whatsoever from the gov't. If you cannot operate on the gifts and offerings from the Body of Christ, then perhaps the ministry you are upholding is not God's will for now.

He Who Pays The Piper Calls The Tune!!! The gov't will run your ministry if you take the funding, just like they now want to run the banks and the auto industry. You just must face this reality.

And BTW, it is not discrimination when someone is refused a job based on their personal choices in life. Nobody chooses what gender they are born, or what color they are born, or even which gender they feel attracted to. People do, however, choose whether to smoke, use drugs, or live a homosexual lifestyle. If these choices are not what you want as role models in a ministry, then the ministry is not being discriminatory in refusing to hire persons who have made those choices.

No, no, no, no. Close down the faith-based initiatives office. Why should my tax money go for grants to church people who believe my gay son is unworthy? Let churches fund their own projects.

Evangelicals have given themselves a name to distinguish themselves from Christians who exercise diversity. If there are these schisms among so-called "Christians," what can you expect from those who claim no faith? One of the traits listed for Jesus is; "A friend to publicans and sinners." Jesus was comfortable around a diversity of individuals. Are the servants now greater than their Master? Or are some too self-righteous and unsure of their own faiths to mingle with publicans and sinners?

Bottom-line: If religious organizations accept government funding, they should not be allowed to discriminate.

Obama?

Christian – not religious – transformation demonstrates true human flourishing in a life of growing wisdom, virtue and the reality of "Christ in me the hope of glory."

Seems very straight forward...Obama is putting limitations on Executive Bonuses if a company accepts federal funding. Should be pretty easy to decide that faith based organizations that receive federal funding be mandated to follow the law of the land. These groups don't need to accept the money, just like the large companies don't need to accept the bailouts.

Maybe if we stopped funding some of these fringe groups (both left and right) and they had to raise their own funding, we would see that they only exist to promote fringe views.

CNN – Do you have any idea that the "Republican" "party" is becoming extinct ?? I actually saw abot 10 minutes of O'reilly the other nite....
Do you know what he actually said in regards to the Republican Party in about 6 to 8 years ???? The only reason that California has "Arnold" is because they wanted to vote for the "terminator" and because he is "cool" .........Can you believe that ? After Arnold is done, the Democrats will be in control of california......and the other states are going Democrat, and needless to say, Texas will be a "battleground" state, in a few short years !!

The federal govt. has no business funding any religious group. If a group accepts funds then they should be held to the same slandered as any other govt. entity.

In regards to President Obama's conversion, the President and Congress should hold a prayer meeting similiar to when Nixon and Kissinger got on their knees to pray in the oval office.

Obama has no concept of what it means to be a Christian of any faith. Christians do not destory iife, no not believe in same sex marriage and generally adhere to the teachings of the New Testament. In hisz book "Aduicity of Hope" he said "the sermon on the mount is so radical that it would never pass anything today." The sermon on the mount was ordained by God and now Obama has had an awakening. I don't belieev hih. He is the most liberal president we hve eer had. Wake up people, stand up for what you believe in and do it now.

I'm a strong supporter of our President. I happen to think he needs to stop the discrimination PERIOD. I think you can not call yourself a real person of God if even in the slightest way you descriminate against ANYONE, for ANY REASON. You know what I find so funny and hypocritical at the same time? the fact that straight divorce rates are on the steady rise and yet you straight people are sitting here worrying whether or not Gays should be allowed to get married. Shouldn't you guys be worried about saving your own orientations marriage rather than vigorously trying to stop that for gays. not to mention does anyone happen to remember this line from OUR Nations DECLORATION OF INDEPENDENCE; We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Hmm, government controlled religion. What does this bring to mind? How about... communist Russia? communist China? Yeah that worked out really well. Oh except that religious beliefs become meaningless when they are contradicted by the government and when organizations are forced to hire workers which don't support their views. Chalk another one up for comrade Obama.

Shake-up
Wake-up

Why is there controversy ? The "separation-of-church-and-state" is meant to stop the government from endorcing or using any one religion. This needs to stop. The government should be allowed to reach out to religions and vice versa.

Lisa – you don't have to be religious to be ethical. The idea of treating people the way you would want to be treated is not patented by religion. You can hire ethical people regardless of religion or lack thereof.

FreeNLovIt: What? What does Hitler or a Star Wars character have to do with the separation of church and state or with preventing discriminatory hiring?

Whoisright? "They" are not telling your how to do anything. "They" are offering funds under constitutional conditions.

These organizations do not have to accept federal funds. Perhaps they cannot do as much without it but other organizations can, while following federal guidelines. They have a choice.

Today Barry said that bunnies are fuzzy and the sun is warm, and the sheep proclaimed it the "greatest story ever told" as he is indeed the chosen one.

When Republicans have the "audacity" to talk about God or church or FAITH, you socialists hammer them as being simply "bible thumpers", but when this empty, empty, empty vessel does it, it becomes "gospel".

I believe in God, but make NO decisions based on my faith, but I have decided I was right about this guy, he has never run a business, a city or a state, all he has ever RUN is his mouth and it is showing bigtime.

Bahhhhh, said the sheep.

One and done Barry.

01/22/2013

Last time I checked Muslims are horrible at serving soup to homeless people, Jews don't know the first thing about curing addictions and Christians tend to support wife beaters...and don't get me started on Mormons and their disasterous efforts to help abused children.

I just don't see how, as a practical matter, one part of an organization can advance religion and discriminate in employment while another part of the organization (the one running a federally funded program) does neither of those things.

How do you prevent blurring of the line? How does the government support just part of the organization without supporting all of it and its religious (and discriminatory) agenda?

Is the law creating this office about the establishment of religion?

Does it prohibit the free exercise of religion?

If the answer to both questions is no than the law establishing the office, and by extension, the office itself is constitutional.

If the answer to either question is yes, than it is not.

Sadly our judicial system has so obfuscated the bright clarity of the founding fathers' words in the Constitution, we may never know the answer....

Organizations should not be allowed to discriminate in hiring if their hiring processes are dependent to any extent upon government assistance. Government assistance is itself dependent upon taxpayer money, and the taxpayers do not have an opportunity to specify or discriminate against the recipients. If an organizatoin cannot accept a non-discrimination requirement, it is free to seek funds from other sources, particularly those sources that are not unfairly impacted by the discriminatory policies.

What is hard for people to understand about this? If it's a Christian organization serving soup to the homeless, do they have some basis for saying a Jewish or Muslim applicant would be less fit to serve those homeless people soup? NO. That's a bunch of crap. The ONLY reason they would refuse to hire someone not of their religion who desires to contribute to the community through their organization is because they use their activities as a platform for promoting their religion. If they wish to do that, they can do it without federal funds...plain and simple (but have fun withthe civil lawsuits for discrimination). OUR GOV'T IS NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF FUNDING RELIOUS PROMOTION OR PROSELYTIZING.

Devil in the Details wrote: "What he didn't say is that if you get a federal grant and call your organization Planned Parenthood you can discriminate against presenting Christian views about abortion to the millions of women "

Here is an example of the problem. No two Christians can agree on the interpretation of any verse in the Bible, but every Christian believes that his or her interpretation is the one and only true interpretation. Many good Christians believe that abortion should be freely available to any adult woman. Agencies that provide information on abortion are not trying to persuade women to have abortions. Some Christians try to persuade women NOT to have abortions. A family planning agency is no place for a theological debate.

To Devil in the Details – C'mon, you are really stretching it. Planned Parenthood brings no religiosity to their efforts. It is the religious right that insists on couching this in religious terms.

And by the way, you should research just how the religious right came to have such a promotional passion for abortion. It (like most religious jihads) had nothing to do with deeply held religious beliefs, and EVERYTHING to do with politics. Blindly thumping the bible about anti-abortion issues is just allowing mortal persusion of your higher ideals. Doesn't the bible say something about that? About being subverted?

This is totally in violation of seperation of church & state, Yet so was prop * and that made it through. I don't understand how these things are allowed to happen yet everyone wants to walk around and swear they are so damn patriotic. how can you be patriotic when you slap the constitution in the face all the time by both denying gays the right to mare and have equal rights. does anyone else happen to think that civil unions and marriages are one in the same?! and if not how? this war on beliefs and marriage is not less than the civil rights movement just instead of the topic being skin color its what we are and are not allowed to do by literally someone we never met but believe in! come on people wake up

I am appalled that Obama, in an attempt to look as Bush-like as possible in order to garner right wing support, would be willing to walk the tight-rope between church and state.

Why even go there? Isn't giving churches a free ride on taxes even though preach vote for their candidates from the pulpit? The churches are just another SPECIAL INTEREST group with their hand out.

Reading Obama touting his "personal decision for Christ," though, I can see he is as right wing as they come about separation of Church and State.

I am proud that I did not vote for this two-faced politician.

There is controversy on every topic...that is what a democracy is about. My question is: Why is it that the media always concentrates on the negative reaction to every issue no matter how small the number protesting it may be?

CNN has lost its balance due to a desire to create controversy to boost ratings. Same old worn out practice of three socalled experts presenting the same tired points of view ober and over. No wonder Time Warner is losing money.

What journalism on cable shows has become is a bunch of ego bloated commentators who don't report facts but selectively show details, video clips and invited guests to present their points of view'/political stripe. Lou Dobbs, and Campbell Brown are no more journalists than Rush Limbaugh is.

Faith based organizations should qualify for the same charitable programs that other charities do, as long as those programs are not promoting religion in ANY way. No required prayers before a charitable meal, no religious pamphlets handed out, no pressure to join a religious sect, and absolutely NO discrimination in the hiring practices by those organizations. They should follow the same requirements as any other charity. A bowl of soup or cot have no religion.

The founders of this country were very concerned about religion in government. Look at the Middle East – all players there have religious based governments, so this concern is not out of date.

If you include all people and all ways of thinking, isn't that just, um, all americans? What is this doing that is separate from the good of the country?

Continuing this Bush creation can only mean he is continuing his campaign stategy of pandering to whom ever he is talking to today.

First of all the government shouldn't be giving money to ANY religious organization. EVER! Second, the government shouldn't be forcing ANY employer to hire someone based on race, color, creed, gender, etc. Finally, if a religious organization doesn't want to hire someone who isn't a practicing member of their religion, they shouldn't be forced to do so. The fact that we are even debating these issues is proof that the federal government has reached too far into the lives of its citizens and needs to be trimmed in a major way.

This is absolutely outrageous. There should be a countering Center for Freethinkers as well if we're going to waste tax dollars on useless bucreacracy that should be left to the private sphere.

If they receive Federal monies, then they should have to follow what ever rules apply.......they should not be allowed to discriminate....against anyone, for any reason.

Any business in the US would hire the person most suited to fit a given position based on the "purpose" of the organization. Would a gay organization elect a heterosexual president? Would an African-American organization elect a caucasian president? Would a Jewish organization elect a Muslim leader or vice-versa? Discrimination based on sexual orientation, color or creed...It's funny that the Department of Justice will fund a "Gay-Pride" event. Federal funding is available for a host of minority programs targeting specific groups based on "race", but for some reason federal funding shouldn't be available for religious organizations? Or religious organizations shouldn't be allowed to discriminate in hiring? Hypocritical and discriminiatory! What's good for the goose is good for the gander...no wonder the US is in such bad shape! Ignorant people fighting ignorant causes while the important stuff suffers...

Why should they get any federal funding (taxpayer dollars)? If taxpayers feel these charities are worthwhile, they will voluntarily donote to them.

I don't want my money spent by religeous leaders who don't share my values!

The right wing of the Republican party and perhaps the entire party itself is biased against anyone who doesn't think, act, and believe the same way they do. We have freedoms in this country, guaranteed by the constitution. The new faith office is simply adhering to those rights guaranteed to all Americans and the new administration is turning a blind eye to the discrimination that had run rampant in the Bush administration. This is a good thing for America. No more business as usual. That's what the people voted for and that's what we're getting.

Personally, I do not care which religion a person practices, or if they follow organized religion at all! Please, just keep religion out of politics...separation of church and state at all costs.

THIS SHOULD BE A NON-ISSUE FOR A MAN OF COLOR ... President Obama should be the first man to stand up and say with FORCE: No man, woman or child should be discriminated against based on color of their skin, their gender, the sexual orientation, their race or their religion, disability OR for any reason at all! No organization or religious group will EVER receive government money if they practice any sort of discrimination! And if they do, the United States of America will not condone it and WILL NOT support them in any way!

Has he said this? NO!!! I believe, Mr Obama must make a stand RIGHT Now and stop being everyone's friend. He must not condone or even allow discrimination of any sort!!!

That the founding fathers each had their own faith of choice is true, but they also new the danger of blending religion with government, including their own personal faith of choice. And there were many different faiths represented by the founding fathers, not just one as many religious activists would have you believe.
Coming from Europe where at the time religious freedom was in short supply they new the importance of seperation of church and state.
Freedom from religion equals freedom of religion.
"Although religion is important, too much religion is worse than none at all" Franklin 1732

I'm a church goer but don't think the federal government should be funding any of this at all. Keep it separate!

I love this. Create more oversight on these "faith groups", because in reality they're more like "hate groups".

I agree with Stacy. I have nothing against other religions; however, they are not being forced to take federal funds. If you accept federal funds (and implicit government endorsement and backing with it)–ANY business, whether religious or no–then you should be prepared to accept it with any requirements the government passes on it. If you don't like the rules, then don't take the money. No one is forcing anyone to do anything–it's your place to choose.

Poor Obama....if he goes to the bathroom it's a problem, if he passes gas it's a problem. Leave Barack alone and let him do his job.

I am so happy to see this change in the democratic party and the loosening of the grip between evangelicals and republicans. My wife and I had to change churches twice before we found one that did not interject politics into the worship. We were beginning to wonder if there were any churches left that hadn't succumbed to the partisan climate that had sprung up over the last 20 years. If you believe in Weslayan doctrine at all then the kind of swiftboating of democrats we heard from the pulpit, and GD America we heard from Rev Wright are both equally an abomination before the lord. We are to be as Jesus, and although that is a tall order, we can start with the small stuff like ... not hating.

I love President Obama but I support the strict separation of Church and State.

Moderator: Why do you leave this thread open for over 24 hours, and close the one on Obama's own faith before most of us get a chance to read it, much less comment on it?

Obama is obviously a man of faith, and obviously understands that the framers of our Constitution also had faith.

I have been impressed with his pilgrimage, even the encouraging changes I have seen since the election.

Proverbs 21 says "The king's hand is in the heart of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes." I, like many other believers, have been praying for our leader, and it appears that the One who has Obama's heart in His hand is hearing our prayers and giving him wisdom, understanding, and spiritual growth.

This is most encouraging.

Make no mistake... Obama can come out under the guise of being a "man of faith" but there is nothing holy in enslaving the next three to five generations with his purposefully misnamed "stimulus" plan.

The correct name for this bill should be:
"The Multi-Generational Economic Slavery Bill"

If this economic abomination passes, watch for civil war to break out.

Talking about Faith, Fidelity, Religion etc ..........
Whatever happened to Obama's Wedding Band ???
It appears he got rid of it since moving to the White House.
Look at what he is now wearing on the left finger.

Every job to some point has restrictions when hiring. I believe that this isn't discrimination but the faith based has to be held accountable for the jobs that will be carried out. Ethics is slowly slipping through the cracks in America because no one wants to hold anyone accountable for their mistakes (ex. tax invasion).

Keep this office. It's good for all of us. Do you want to replace it with Hitler Office? or Office of the Darth Vader?

They should not be allowed to discriminate when hiring – discrimination is discrimination, and it shouldn't be allowed in any workplace. If they want to continue to do so, don't accept the funding. Simple.

Soon "they" will tells us what and how to believe.

Pres. Obama should continue the program as is. These organizations are faith based because they are of a like mind and goal. If you don't believe why they are doing what they are doing, you won't have the same motivation to work as the others in the organization. Besides, some of the money is generated from the faithful of that organization. They could do it without government funds but not as much.

I'm an Obama supporter but I must say that this is getting into some murky water. Religious freedom and separation of church and state are two sides of the same coin. This kind of stuff makes me fundamentally nervous.

President Obama said, "The devil is in the details," and he was right about that. However, he also said, "If you get a federal grant, you can't use that grant money to proselytize to the people you help and you can't discriminate against them - or against the people you hire - on the basis of their religion," Obama said in the July 1 speech at the East Side Community Ministry.

What he didn't say is that if you get a federal grant and call your organization Planned Parenthood you can discriminate against presenting Christian views about abortion to the millions of women facing one of the hardest decisions in their life, with no unbiased options presented to them to help with that decision.

The discrimination allowed to planned parenthood should be afforded to faith-based entities too. Afterall, fair is fair, Mr. President.

If they take Federal money, they accept Federal guidelines. It is funny that religious groups practice discrimination, when they are supposed to be the pillars of spirituality and acceptance. "Our God does not like you, therefore you are not allowed to help people."

I don't like this faith-based office. Is Obama a Democrat or Republican because this is a continuation of Bush's faith-based initiatives. Sounds like 'more of the same' to me.

Why isn't CNN reporting on Senator Session's statements today about the GOP having to use al Quaeda style tactics to stop Pres. Obama? If those statements had been made by a Democrat, they would be in bold red print with "breaking news" plastered around it. So who are the terrorists now?

Controversy surrounds anything that involves faith.