BP Partners

Faith Based Information

Governor Bush's Advisory Task Force on Faith-Based Communities

Executive Summary of Government's Role in Texas. Religiously Diverse Society

December 1996

Principle 1.
Each person is created in God's image with inherent worth and diverse talents and each of us bound together in various social relationships and responsibilities.

Principle 2.
We each bear a responsibility to do justice and love our neighbors, a responsibility that comes from God.

Principle 3.
Government can do some things, but it cannot reach deep into the human character. Some of our worst pathologies (e.g. illegitimacy, crime, poverty) can be solved if people experience spiritual transformation; if the hearts of parents are turned toward their children; if respect is restored for human life and property; if a commitment is renewed to care about our neighbor and our community.

Principle 4.
Texas is blessed by a rich diversity of people and institutions . families, houses of worship, private and religious charities, schools, voluntary associations, local grassroots organizations . able to champion virtuous ideals and restore hope. Armed with love, individual responsibility and spiritual values, these character-building institutions of civil society perform miracles of renewal and restoration.

Principle 5.
Every single one of Texas. social problems, no matter how severe, is today being addressed somewhere and somehow, by some faith-based or community group. This is a great and untold story.

Principle 6.
A responsibility of government is 'fruitful cooperation' with mediating institutions that are meeting the needs of Texans in crisis. Government policy must bolster, not weaken or displace, people and organizations that are carrying out their vital responsibilities and getting things done.

Principle 7.
The urgent public mission of enhancing Texas. civil society requires a fresh definition of compassion, one that focuses on the consoling hand and word of someone who 'suffers with' and who invests himself or herself.

Principle 8.
The members of this Task Force see the First Amendment as a vital protection against unreasonable government interference. Government should not exclude religious expressions or concerns from the public square nor grant privilege to secular programs or solutions. Government's treatment of faith-based organizations should be one of benevolent and positive neutrality.

Principle 9.
State and Federal law, rules, and regulations should not discriminate against Texans eligible to benefit from government financial assistance for humans services (e.g., job training, health care, shelter, child care, education, counseling, drug and alcohol rehabilitation) simply because they choose to receive those services from faith-based service groups. Such Groups, on an equal footing with non-religious groups, should be permitted to serve beneficiaries of government-funded services . and without having to 'secularize' their distinct religious character or self-governance.

Principle 10.
We see no conflict with, or threat to 'promot[ing] the general welfare' when government cooperates or contracts with faith-based social service organizations on the same basis as it does with non-religious organizations in seeking to fulfill this purpose.