Foreword
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof …." This separation of church and state is a core value cherished by Americans, and any legislation that might blur that boundary arouses an animated debate. Legislation now under consideration in Congress to allow religious groups to compete for public funds to provide social services is such a proposal. The concept itself is not new. Charitable organizations and social services agencies affiliated with religious denominations have long been eligible for public funding. However, they commonly…
