Source 5: Glenn, C. L. (2000). The Ambiguous Embrace: Government and Faith-Based Schools and Social Agencies. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Summary: The issue discussed in this book should be treated against the context of an interesting contradiction: by any realistic evaluation, the most religious democratic country in the West is the United States; but, as the consequence of court rulings since the 1960s, it too has the most accurate designation of the separation of church and state, even more, accurate than that existing in France, the society that conjured up the concept of laïcisme.
Role: However, the book unnecessarily investigates the explanations for this contradiction, or it goes into a philosophical discussion over its values. But the contradiction is very important in the present debates over the implication of the existence of faith-based organizations to the future of social policy in America. These discussions cannot be advanced in a productive manner unless the contradiction is considered and resolved in a politically reasonable way. This book is relevant to the topic because it discusses the philosophical and actual implications of faith-based organizations on the direction of American social policy.
Source 6: Sager, R. (2007). The Importance of State Faith-Based Liaisons. Sociology of Religion, 97+.
Summary: This article discusses that at present states are not obliged to put into effect any part of the faith-based initiative, other than to ascertain that FBOs will not be singled out in subsidy decisions. However, a number of states have dynamically implemented the initiative, and especially have preferred a neutral ground, depending on administrative modifications to persuade FBOs to demand and receive government subsidies. The most important, and now most widespread, approach for states to accomplish this has been to form the faith-based liaison (FBL) position.
Role: This article clearly discusses that while the powers and responsibilities differ by state, in all instances they have the main duty of implementing the faith-based initiative in their own states. They are the chief point of interaction between government organizations and religious groups, trying to reconcile the believed gap between state administrations and FBOs that have not customarily been involved in offering social services. This article strongly indicates that the position itself, and the identities, backgrounds, and dedications of individuals who occupy the FBL position, substantially influence the execution of the faith-based initiative in various states. This article is useful for the topic since it clearly emphasizes that a significant role merits a closer examination of both the position of FBL and the attributes of those that serve in the position.
Source 7: Tangenberg, K. M. (2005). Faith-Based Human Services Initiatives: Considerations for Social Work Practice and Theory. Social Work, 197+.
Summary: This article discusses the responses of social work to faith-based initiatives. It discusses frameworks and theories in line with ecosystem models, including faith-associated community organizing paradigms. Throughout the discussion, the concept ‘faith-based’ is applied merely in the background of faith-based services initiatives and associated guidelines. On the other hand, the concept ‘secular’ is used in projects and organizations with no religious connection or content.
Role: This article convincingly argues that increased knowledge of the intricacy and diversity of faith-associated services is important to decisively oriented policy resolutions and social work practice. It also claims that the responses of social work to charitable choice provision have underlined key government obligation for social welfare, but also sustained the progress of local community networks of faith-associated and secular providers to address diverse human needs. This is article is particularly relevant to the topic because it includes a discussion of the consequences of faith-based initiatives on social work practice or more specifically on faith-related providers.
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