Ok, real FIRST!

A little introduction: My name is Elizabeth, and I’ve started this blog for a class, The Alternative Media. My focus? Look up. It’s the separation of (or lack thereof) church and state.

A little background on me: I’m a born and raised Episcopalian (not from one of the splinter churches). I’m still a believer and attend pretty frequently. Does this automatically nullify my opinion? I hope not. I think it is imperative that Americans understand

I think a great place to start is President Obama’s introduction of his faith-based initiative plan at the National Prayer Breakfast on February 5, 2009. He signed an executive order, which created the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. But, coming off the extreme favoritism of the Bush administration towards specific religious groups, many on the right and left sides of the aisle are concerned that funding will be again sent to favorite groups, and that it will be a replay of the Bush Administration’s Policies.

Key points to this executive order and new office:

* Unlike Bush’s office, which focused primarily on funding rligioes charities, Obama’s office will spark an

* The office will work with the National Security Council on interfaith matters, specifically “the needs of women, children, and “responsible fathers [a little judgmental, don‘t you think?]””

* Joshua Dubois, who worked on religious outreach during Obama’s presidential bid, will be the executive director of the new office

* The new office will also collaborate with both the White House counsel and the Justice Department to avoid conflicts between the funding and the Constitution

Hmm...Let's sit back and think about this for a second.

First!

This is my first post, part of an assignment for JOUR 353 - The Alternative Media.