Will Americans end up paying a Religion Tax? Executive Orders signed today by President Bush threaten to violate the separation of church and state, and compel all Americans -- including millions of Atheists -- to fund sectarian religion-based social programs. Is this fair?

resident George W. Bush today signed two Executive Orders creating a federal office which will funnel billions of dollars in tax grants, credits and other money to religious groups competing to operate social programs, and have existing federal agencies "work closely" with churches.

   Surrounded by clerics including representatives of Christian, Islamic and other religious and philanthropic groups, Bush praised the alleged ability of faith-based organizations to combat problems such as homelessness and drug abuse. He said that such groups confront the "deep needs and real suffering" in communities, and should be given more opportunity to obtain public funding for after-school programs, prison ministries and other outreaches. Mr. Bush added that the second executive order was designed to clear obstacles "that make private groups hesitant to work with government."

   Expanding the role of religious groups in the public square and rendering them more eligible to receive public funding was a centerpiece in Mr. Bush's election campaign. The idea has become so trendy that a similar proposal was even supported by former Vice President Al Gore during last year's election campaign. The Bush plan, though, is more expansive, and is based in part on the "charitable choice" legislation built into the 1996 welfare reform act. That measure, introduced by then Sen. John Ashcroft, made it easier for religious groups to compete for government funding without have to surrender their "religious character."

   Today's White House ceremony guest list included key religious leaders Bush has been courting, and representatives of "civil society" groups who endorse a closer cooperation between government and sectarian organizations. Among those flanking the president were Stephen E. Burger, Association of Gospel Rescue Missions; Commissioner John Busby of the Salvation Army; Rev. Walter Fauntroy; Cheryl Halpern of the Republican Jewish Coalition; former Watergate crook Chuck Colson, Prison Fellowship Ministries; and Imam Hassan Qazwini, Islam Center of America. Also standing by was Marvin Olasky, a key Bush policy advisor who is considered the foremost advocate of "faith-based" partnerships. Olasky, a University of Texas journalism professor, has suggested that "maybe disestablishment of religion wasn't such a good idea."

"This is way beyond just trying to display the Ten Commandments or have prayer in public schools. Bush is pushing a $10 billion-a-year entitlement program for religious organizations that is coming out of the wallets and purses of Americns, including millions of Atheists who have no need for religion..." -- ELLEN JOHNSON, President AMERICAN ATHEISTS

   The new Federal Office of Faith-Based Community Programs is to be led by John J. DiIulio, Jr., a Roman Catholic who is a Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, and a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. DiIulio has identified himself as a "new Democrat," and has also been associated with the liberal Brookings Institute. He has worked closely with black churches, a group Bush strategists have been targeting in hopes of lining up support for the new Faith initiative.

   Although Bush attracted less than 10% of the black vote in November, he has surrounded himself with a slew of Black church officials including high-roller Promise Keeper evangelist T.D. Jakes, and former Rep. William Fauntroy.

   Another key Bush advisor, former Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmith, will chair a special advisory board which will complement the mission of the new White House office, and ensure that federal agencies are carrying out the Executive Order to work more closely with religious groups. Bush's diktat singled out the Department of Health & Human Services, and the Department of Housing. HUD already operates a special "Faith-Based Partnership" programs that holds special meetings for religious groups, and encourages them to apply for government funding in order to operate housing initiatives.

   Goldsmith, a Democrat, instituted a faith-based partnership in Indianapolis known as the Front Porch Alliance, which melds government and private money in order to assist non-profit groups, mostly religious, in operating a number of social service programs.

   Bush draped his proposal in the rhetoric of his "compassionate conservatism" which has resonated with religious groups throughout the country.

   "A compassionate society is one which recognizes the great power of faith," Bush declared. "We in government must not fear faith-based programs, we must welcome faith-based programs."

    The ecumenical nature of the Bush plan was evident in not only the proximity of an Islamic cleric standing next to the President, but statements made during recent meetings with lawmakers.

   "Government should not fear funding programs that can change people's lives," he said earlier today. "A compassionate society is one which recognizes the great power of faith, not a particular religion."

   Indeed, Mr. Olasky has proposed changing the current "disestablishment" of religious groups with an arrangement of "multiple religious establishments" where any and all faith-based projects could be considered for government funding.

   This week, Bush will faces a whirlwind schedule of meetings with leaders of spiritual groups, and will be the guest of honor on Thursday at the National Prayer Breakfast. Bush and his wife attended services yesterday at the mostly black Lincoln Park United Methodist Church in northeast Washington. The energized audience sang, clapped and shouted "Amen!" throughout the event.

   Responding to today's Executive Orders, American Atheists President Ellen Johnson warned that Bush was seriously changing the already precarious balance between church and state in America. "This is way beyond just trying to display the Ten Commandments or have prayer in public schools," Johnson warned. "Bush is pushing a $10 billion-a-year entitlement for religious organizations that is coming out of the wallets and purses of Americans, including millions of Atheists who have no need for religion."

   Johnson also challenged the claim that faith-based programs are more efficient and cost-effective than secular counterparts. "There's little or no good evidence for this, and if this program is put into effect, we'll likely see hidden costs and other problems begin to emerge, big time."

   "Even if these programs did work to some extent," Johnson added, "they are still wrong. They still require me, you and every other Atheist to pay for what amounts to a faith-based social program."

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