April 25 — Most Americans back President Bush's plan to extend government money to religious groups that run social service programs, but with a caveat: It depends on the religion.
Fifty-eight percent support federal funding for religious groups to run food kitchens, counseling centers and other social programs, just as it is offered to secular groups. But if this makes funding available to groups such as the Hare Krishnas, the Nation of Islam and Scientologists, support for the plan plunges by half, to just more than a quarter of the public.
Bush, who created the White House Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, has said a group's results will determine whether it receives federal financing, not its religious affiliation. Congress is holding hearings on the issue this week.
Color Lines
Support for the initiative runs highest among blacks: Forty-six percent support the plan regardless of the religious group eligible, double its support among whites. And younger adults are more likely than older ones to favor funding all groups.
Nearly seven in 10 white, born-again Christians support the plan at first blush, but their support drops precipitously — to 26 percent — if funding would be extended to groups such as the Hare Krishnas, Nation of Islam and Scientologists.