"Obama White House 'comfortable' walking fine line on religion's place in politics"

Commentary on Eric Gorskis' article:

It is without question that religion deserves a place in the public discourse of a nation that was founded on Christian principles and the Obama Administration gets this. I am excited to see that the new administration is expanding and increasing the funding for the Office of Faith Based Initiatives. Hopefully, having advisors of faith will allow for cautious moves to the left versus radical change in a liberal direction.

Having people of faith more involved in our communities will only strengthen America as a whole and instill wholesome values throughout the nation. Additionally, one policy that I do hope the Obama Administration adopts from the Bush Administration is continuing to reward federal contracts to religious groups that only hire members of their own faith. This will allow for less confusion in these organizations and more effective and decisive implementation of ideas and practices.

The four priorities of the Office of Faith Based Initiatives are admirable. According to the article, these priorities include: enlisting faith and community groups in economic recovery efforts, reducing abortions, encouraging responsible fatherhood and improving interfaith relations, including in the Muslim world. If these milestones can be achieved, it will only serve for the betterment of the United States and the world. I look to these priorities with optimism knowing that they are attainable and knowing that religion playing a role in secular life can have a profound impact on changing societal wrongs.

Thus far, Obama has done an excellent job while in office; however, there is one decision that concerns me and that is his choice to revoke the ban on funding for international groups that perform abortions or provide information on the option. This is somewhat contradictory to one of the aims of the Office of Faith Based Initiatives. I fully support Frank Page and his efforts to have the Roe v. Wade decision overturned.

As far as the Establishment Clause is concerned, I take the non-preferentialists view and believe it only to mean that the government cannot restrict aid to one preferred church/denomination, which would in turn establish it as the state religion.