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Letters: 'Workability' good standard for faith-based initiative
The Washington Times
August 03, 2001
The Rev. Pat Robertson's questioning of the inclusion of certain minority religions in President Bush's faith-based initiative seems to keep reappearing in print ("Faith-based role is seen for gay churches," Aug. 2). Perhaps it is time we laid Mr.Robertson's comments to rest.
I agree with Mr. Bush that workability is the standard by which any social-service program should be judged. I have had the opportunity to work with several programs in the local area during the past 23 years, including Applied Scholastics, Narconon and Criminon.
From personal observations and from viewing many international statistics, I am thoroughly convinced that these programs are far and away the most effective programs available in the fields of education, drug education or rehabilitation and criminal rehabilitation. They also are very popular.
What do they have in common? They are all secular applications of the works of L.Ron Hubbard, who also is the founder of the Scientology religion. Because these are secular programs, with their own organizations and funding independent of the church, it is clear that the church would not be seeking funding to support them. However, from Mr.Robertson's comments, it also is clear that those who see this issue from his point of view would be unlikely to make that distinction.
It is vital that we all support programs that work and get results - no matter whether they are faith-based, secular or government-sponsored.
LEE E. TERBUSH