All for Show?

Associated Press gives a comprehensive overview of the Obama administration’s take on religion. Though his presidency began with a heavily religious inauguration and a presidential shout out to “an awesome God,” there is reason to believe this is an attempt to woo the religious right and build unity. Obama’s support of the White House Office on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, may be just another such example. Executive director Joshua Dubois states, “We are going to try to find ways to work with faith-based and community organizations that are secular in nature, and don’t cross the boundaries between church and state.” The new advisory board has four main objectives: enlisting faith and community groups in economic recovery efforts, reducing abortions, encouraging responsible fatherhood and improving interfaith relations, including in the Muslim world.

The goal of abortion reduction is an interesting compromise to gain the religious right’s support while still recognizing the legality of abortion. Obama has already taken action regarding abortion. On his fourth day in office, he ended a ban on US funds for international organizations that perform abortions or disseminate information on the option. Conservative members of the advisory board still look to overturn Roe v. Wade, but I think we can all agree that Obama’s actions indicate their pleas will fall on deaf ears. While Obama is encouraging dialogue, his actions are speaking louder than his words.

Though the White House Office on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships has a number of more ideologically conservative members, it also includes liberal members such Rabbi Saperstein and an openly gay man. The diversity of board has me torn; I applaud inclusion but I doubt in the ability of the board to come to consensus.

Obama has done several things that indicate the White House Office on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will not have a serious effect on policy. For example, he has indicated he plans to do away with federal contracts to religious groups that only hire members of their faith. Here he is showing his commitment to the establishment clause.

Despite Obama’s courting of religious groups, George points out that he has “shown a tendency to paint those who disagree with him on moral issues as divisive.” Perhaps Obama’s religious inauguration and faith-based initiatives board are simply to unify a country fragmented by religion. In the end, these proceedings may just be symbolic and have no significant effect on policy.