Faith-Based Policy

A Litmus Test for Understanding Contemporary America

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Current Events, Political Science, Government, Local Government, Public Policy
Cover of the book Faith-Based Policy by John Chandler, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: John Chandler ISBN: 9780739179031
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: December 16, 2013
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: John Chandler
ISBN: 9780739179031
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: December 16, 2013
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

In 2001, George W. Bush created the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. The driving force behind the policy was to create a “level playing field” where faith-based organizations could compete on an equal footing with secular organizations for government funding of social aid programs. Given, on the one hand, the continuation of faith-based policy under Barack Obama and, on the other, the continued support by the vast majority of the American people for some form of such policy, the need has emerged to clearly understand what this policy is and the issues that it raises. Why? First, because the policy reveals new paradigms that explode traditional political and religious designations such as conservative–liberal or evangelical–progressive. Secondly, it is a policy which is setting precedents that with time will only become more entrenched in the institutional fabric of American government and the values of the culture. Finally, it does not seem to be a policy that is likely to just go away. And if it won’t go away, then, how should responsible policy be conducted?

While John Chandler's Faith-Based Policy: A Litmus Test for Understanding Contemporary America responds to this need to understand, it also acknowledges that there is already a substantial amount of documentation available, which, taken together, provides a comprehensive, though sometimes biased, picture of faith-based policy. This book contributes a relatively brief, impartial analysis that draws on and synthesizes the available information. More specifically, in order to dissipate the confusion surrounding the perceptions that many have had concerning the intention and meaning of the policy, this book provides insight into: 1) the theological visions of the faith-based actors behind the policy; 2) how these actors have tried to apply these visions as the program has evolved in the 2000s; 3) the divisiveness and debate that has characterized the faith-based experiment, and; 4) how all of the above may be held up for contemplation by the reader as a mirror of developing American culture.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In 2001, George W. Bush created the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. The driving force behind the policy was to create a “level playing field” where faith-based organizations could compete on an equal footing with secular organizations for government funding of social aid programs. Given, on the one hand, the continuation of faith-based policy under Barack Obama and, on the other, the continued support by the vast majority of the American people for some form of such policy, the need has emerged to clearly understand what this policy is and the issues that it raises. Why? First, because the policy reveals new paradigms that explode traditional political and religious designations such as conservative–liberal or evangelical–progressive. Secondly, it is a policy which is setting precedents that with time will only become more entrenched in the institutional fabric of American government and the values of the culture. Finally, it does not seem to be a policy that is likely to just go away. And if it won’t go away, then, how should responsible policy be conducted?

While John Chandler's Faith-Based Policy: A Litmus Test for Understanding Contemporary America responds to this need to understand, it also acknowledges that there is already a substantial amount of documentation available, which, taken together, provides a comprehensive, though sometimes biased, picture of faith-based policy. This book contributes a relatively brief, impartial analysis that draws on and synthesizes the available information. More specifically, in order to dissipate the confusion surrounding the perceptions that many have had concerning the intention and meaning of the policy, this book provides insight into: 1) the theological visions of the faith-based actors behind the policy; 2) how these actors have tried to apply these visions as the program has evolved in the 2000s; 3) the divisiveness and debate that has characterized the faith-based experiment, and; 4) how all of the above may be held up for contemplation by the reader as a mirror of developing American culture.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book The Christian Path in a Pluralistic World and the Study of Spirituality by John Chandler
Cover of the book Reasonable Perspectives on Religion by John Chandler
Cover of the book The Site of the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus in Singapore by John Chandler
Cover of the book Flattering the Demos by John Chandler
Cover of the book Wolves, Courts, and Public Policy by John Chandler
Cover of the book Peirce's Empiricism by John Chandler
Cover of the book South Asians on the U.S. Screen by John Chandler
Cover of the book Strategies for Success among African-Americans and Afro-Caribbeans by John Chandler
Cover of the book Predicting Hotspots by John Chandler
Cover of the book Rampage Violence Narratives by John Chandler
Cover of the book Environment and Pedagogy in Higher Education by John Chandler
Cover of the book Embodied Moral Psychology and Confucian Philosophy by John Chandler
Cover of the book Civil–Military Relations in the Islamic World by John Chandler
Cover of the book The Human Relationship to Nature by John Chandler
Cover of the book China's Last Imperial Frontier by John Chandler
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy