In an attempt to bring about “change” to America, President Obama signed an executive order to expand faith-based programs and initiatives started by the Bush administration. The principle behind the idea sounds good: ensure people get social services regardless of their religious beliefs. Attacking such things always make the attacker sound like a heartless monster.

The question is, why do we need a law–and one by executive order of all things–to mandate that religious institutions provide social services to everyone. I’m pretty sure the churches are doing a lot of good helping the local community already without a need for mandates from Washington.

I used to live in a predominantly black neighborhood in Brooklyn and the local church gave to everyone who would line up to get it. Preferred faith, color of skin, nationality, etc. played no part. The church helped people because it wanted to.

The common theme amongst all pieces of legislation is that they make things more difficult than it used to be. It is more likely that this executive order–which is not allowed by the Constitution–will make things worse.

I am a member of no religion but, I support the social services the churches provide. They are doing it based on their own free will and that is good. No one likes being told what to do and no body knows what “strings” are attached to this executive order. Why could this not be presented in the Congress and voted on?

This “change” and new respect for the Constitution is starting to look a lot more like the old way.

By Tommy Leung

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Tags: executive order, faith office, obama

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