Joshua DuBois: Director Of Office Of Faith-Based And Neighborhood Partnerships

UPDATE (2/09): Joshua DuBois has officially been appointed to lead President Obama's Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. From the press release:

President Obama appointed Joshua DuBois, a former associate pastor and advisor to the President in his U.S. Senate office and campaign Director of Religious Affairs, to lead this office. "Joshua understands the issues at stake, knows the people involved, and will be able to bring everyone together - from both the secular and faith-based communities, from academia and politics - around our common goals," said President Obama.

In a speech Thursday at the National Prayer Breakfast, President Obama outlined how the new faith-based office under DuBois will be a departure from that of the Bush administration. From the Washington Post:

Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast at the Capital Hilton in Washington this morning, Obama said the goal of the initiative "will not be to favor one religious group over another -- or even religious groups over secular groups. It will simply be to work on behalf of those organizations that want to work on behalf of our communities, and to do so without blurring the line our founders wisely drew between church and state."

The office's new director, Joshua Dubois, said today that Obama will sign an executive order requiring his office to seek guidance from the attorney general on constitutional issues, including religious hiring.

***

The New York Times reported earlier on DuBois' qualifications--even though he is only 26 years-old:

Mr. DuBois received a master's degree from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, and was enrolled in law school when he left to work for Mr. Obama, then a senator.

...

On Capitol Hill, Mr. DuBois was part of a Democratic working group focused on building relationships with religious leaders, especially evangelical Christians alienated by the Republican record on economic inequality, foreign policy and environmental matters. Mr. DuBois expanded that outreach during the presidential campaign by convening house parties of religious voters across the country to present Mr. Obama as a man motivated by his faith.

The Wall Street Journal published a profile of DuBois last August, just a week before candidates Obama and McCain met with Pastor Rick Warren for the Saddleback Church Forum. Here is an excerpt of the WSJ bio:

Mr. DuBois grew up in Nashville, Tenn., and Xenia, Ohio, the stepson of a minister at an African Methodist Episcopal church, a branch of Christianity born in protest against slavery in 1816. His grandmother participated in the 1960 Nashville sit-ins and used to tell her grandson stories about being spat on.

His conservative parents would listen to Mr. Dobson's "Focus on the Family" radio show. Mr. DuBois says he remembers his mother being moved to tears by some of Mr. Dobson's broadcasts.

Following the forum, DuBois said in an interview that "[Democrats] have to start talking to people of faith in America."

Comments

[dpiyjrtmfr]

Funny thing this. Government money to churches.
I grew up in a super-crazy, super-fundy church. My dad was the pastor. We never took any money from the government for any reason. Including when we had major flooding in our area and our church building was destroyed.
Our congressman stopped by but left in a huff because we wouldn't take any government money to rebuild our church building.

Churches don't pay taxes. Tell me again why they should be getting tax dollars?

[Zanti]

Most businesses in the U.S. don't pay taxes, yet Bush allowed polluters to write environmental laws, and various manufacturers to pen their own safety laws, and so on. We became a virtual corporatocracy under that Bozo, with much tax money spent to keep businesses in business. And to pay industrial criminals like Halliburton.

But this... THIS!! Helping churches do charitable work!! Now, THAT'S way out of line!

I can see why people are getting all righteous about it.

[bipolar2]

** Super-size me Jesus! **

Mr. Obama wants to reach further out to religious NFPs?

Out-doing Bush, he’s bloated obligatory American politico-religious hypocrisy beyond excess.

A nation overwhelmingly god-fearing also overwhelmingly rejects science. My fellow citizens lack the critical intelligence to evaluate the garbage they put into their brains.

It’s junk food faith for a fat head nation.

The US is an aberration among developed nations in its affinity for religious enthusiasms and in its failure to accept now elementary basic truths like evolution via natural selection. (Check the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.)

The US has been a secular state from its inception. Thus, it is not (and never has been) one nation under god, power, force or immaterial being.

The people rule here. Not child molesting priests, not fanatical tax-dodging televangelists, nor cabals of delusional dominionists seeking to overthrow the Republic.

Christ is not sovereign . . . God is not sovereign . . . Allah is not sovereign . . . they do not exist. They are fictions no more real than Zeus, Sherlock Holmes, or Batman.

The people are sovereign. We abide by the laws which we create for ourselves.

bipolar2

[Zanti]

Thanks. I'm SURE Obama feels intellectually inferior to you. To say nothing of believers like Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and Jimmy Carter.

As for the secular-nation cliche, on matters of religion, our govt. is neutral. Neutral meaning neither for nor against. The most basic logic tells us that, in regard to religion, our system of government is therefore neither religious nor secular.

I realize that "secular" is often used to denote the fact we have no state church, but, unfortunately, too many take the word to mean that our founders were against religion. Apparently, the concept of neutral is too nuanced for many. You were saying?

[biglover]

THE TROLLS ARE HOT AND HEAVY HERE TODAY. NOTICE THE SMELL IN HERE?? PEEEWWW

[judiNJ]

Relax gang.... my dad was a Congregational minister back in the day and marched for civil rights and against the Vietnam War. He sure was not some right wing wack-o, didn't even consider them good
christians. He was a roaring liberal and was proud of it. President Obama worked as a neighborhood
organizer and worked through a church. We do NOT have welfare anymore, families live on the streets
in NYC. Can you imagine how the Repugs would rise up in fury if anyone tried to help poverty with their taxes. This is the only way help can be dispensed now. At least Obama is going through the DOJ with any constitutional questions.

[PoliticalAmazon]

The road to HeII is paved with good intentions.

No matter what the reason, the government backing religions is wrong. It violates the Constitution and Bill of Rights. It leaves us without the ability to monitor for accountabiliy any of the church-funded programs. It will concentrate power in the largest churches and religious faiths, and give them unfair advantage, and power, over other churches and religious beliefs.

Have you read about the powerful ministers in our country today? They are not like your father. They are hateful, big otted, vile creatures. And those will be the ones who will mainly benefit from this scheme.

If you want to support a church's social programs, use your own money to do so. If our government provides the money, it is a violation of the Constitution/BOR, and no good intention is worth that.

[TinaFreeman]

Do you realize how hypocrytical you sound? Spewing hatred and intolerance about people of faith?

You are as bad as Rush Limbaugh, only from the opposite extreme.

The majority of Americans identify with some faith, and they are not the extremists that you use to paint all people of faith with such a broad brush.

[TexasDem0]

Does “Faith Based” inherently mean the exclusion of those who do not have faith?

[PoliticalAmazon]

The way I understand it, the faith-based funding programs are only for religious groups.

[TinaFreeman]

These are not faith-based funding programs. They are federal funding programs for community social services, and may not be used for promoting any particular religious faith.

The purpose of bringing faith groups (as well as non-faith groups) into a discussion is that they have vast existing networks that can be utilized to deal with very real social problems.

It is not about introducing religion into government, it is about community organizing.

[TinaFreeman]

Faith based refers to church sponsored community outreach activities. Churches themselves may not receive federal funding.

Non-Faith Based community outreach programs are also eligible for federal funding and to participate in the discussions.

This is about community organizing, NOT promoting religion.

[take10]

Your double speak is astounding. If your activities are church sponsored, why do you require taxpayers to pay for them. So tell me, if the federal funds (taxpayer funds) aren't going to the church, who gets the funds and what happens to them? The other problem is that most of these so called churches don't belong to any greater organization and are actually the personal business of the pastor, hidden in a cloak of religiosity to avoid paying taxes which they so easily rely on for their faith based initiatives. Well, once the taxpayer gets stuck with paying for the operation, all member donations go straight to the pastors bank account. Thus, the expensive lifestyle of those money changers who Jesus despised...

[orangepetal]

This whole thing is really awful. A very bitter pill. One need look no further than Rev. Write, Father Phledger and Warren to see, hear and feel their selected animosities. I hate religion in politics. I hope accountability will be mandatory. IMO The idea should be no ego and no theology, the only focus should be helping the needy. Ways that promote self support measures are also IMO preferable. Things like job placement or training aid, day care for lower income workers, addiction programs, community tolerance, domestic violence assistance for women (yes to leave), temporary or other home programs for the homeless to re-establish a sort of productive routine, extra classes in reading, math or the arts, perhaps martial arts classes like kung-fu could be good for boys from high risk families. Of course, I expect food is one of their main efforts. Beware of focusing too many resources on just re-enforcing the cycle. I have no idea if the allocated resources are even sufficient for any of this, but if they are, this is what would seem very worthy in my mind..

[TinaFreeman]

This whole thing is designed to do EXACTLY what you are saying, not to promote theology.

[hildutus]

After Katrina, I sent $300 to the American Red Cross -- a major sacrifice for me. They turned around and gave it to churches. Since then, I haven't given them one red cent.
The government, on the other hand, will threaten me with prison if I don't pay my taxes, but they turn around and give my tax money to churches. Taxation by the government for the church -- so much for freedom of religion, so much for separation of church and state, so much for the late Constitution.

[roblabrousse]

I say let these Churches do their works for God without the money of men. Some of these churches have enough money to dump into defeating the happiness of some people such as in Prop 8 in California. They don't need to be subsidized. If they believe in God He will supply them His own cash. And what the hell is Obama doing with this crap right now...start interviewing your candidates to make sure there aren't any tax issues or income issues. God can take care of himself

[FaceYourFears]

"I say let these Churches do their works for God without the money of men."

I couldn't agree more! I've witnessed Pastors go from living like paupers to living like kings after receiving faith based money. Absolutely no accountability, churches should never take govt money....no way, no how.

[Zanti]

Yeah, leave it to Big Oil, Halliburton, and Wall Street. Keep that money away from charity!

Very progressive.

[Manx]

If having a director of "Faith Based Neighborho­od...Partn­erships" isn't the government establishment of religion, I don't know what is... Obama should adhere to the Constitution.

[fiatpax]

Clearly you don't know what the government establishment of religion is. It would be the government favoring one religion over all others. It's when the leader of the the country is also the head of the established church, as in England. This doesn't even come close.

[PoliticalAmazon]

You are incorrect. The government establshes religion when it funds it.

However, by the nature of how things work in government, it will be the largest churches who can afford plane fair for their "ministers" to lobby for funding, or formal K-Street secular lobbyists paid by large churches, who will get the funding.

The government funding a church and religion gives it unfair advantage over other churches and religions. This is promoting religion, and specific religious and churches.

[AndThenOneDay]

Obama said the goal of the initiative "will not be to favor one religious group over another -- or even religious groups over secular groups. It will simply be to work on behalf of those organizations that want to work on behalf of our communities, and to do so without blurring the line our founders wisely drew between church and state."

[PoliticalAmazon]

Hogwash. It may not be a goal, but it will be the outcome. The only churches who will get money are the ones big enough to send their lobbyists (dressed as ministers, of course) to Washington, or to send secular K Street lobbying groups.

When the government funds a church, it gives it the competitive advantage over other churches.

We've seen the wealth centered in a few elite in our country, and now we will see the religious power focused in a few religious leaders in our country.

Ignore what Obama is saying and look what he is doing. Look of the character of religious leader he endorsed by having him give the inv ocat ion at his inaug.

[PoliticalAmazon]

Apparently OBama isn't satisfied with just being President...he wants to be Ayatollah, too, and I can't wait to see the Mullaghs he appoints.

[TinaFreeman]

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Read up on this more and get your facts straight. Churches cannot receive federal funding. Only church sponsored (or non-church sponsored) charities can get federal funding to provide social services, and there are restrictions which include you may NOT promote your religion or discriminate in hiring practices, or you will lose your federal funding.

[fiatpax]

Notice the name of the office is now "Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships"; and this is not "government support of religious institutions". The benefit of working with faith-based organizations is, they already have a grass-roots infrastructure set up of people who regularly work with marginalized members of society and other community issues. President Obama knows from his days as a community organizer that the faith based groups have already built up vast networks. Mr DuBois will be able to tap into these networks and help them to work together for the benefit of all.

[PoliticalAmazon]

There is no benefit of assaulting the Constitution and BOR.

IFwe are going to have freedom of religion, we must have freedom from religion, and that we cannot have when the government is funding it.

[fiatpax]

President Obama is a former constitutional law professor. He knows what he's doing.

[terragazelle60]

Pay attention to what the President said at the prayer breakfast. I am a Pagan and I am not one bit afraid of what this administration will do with religion. You have to remember that the President's Mother had great distrust of organized religion, but he knew her to be the kindest person he knew..his sister is a Buddhist...his Father was of a Muslim/Christian family and became an Atheist. Just like the President has many races and cultures in his family, and he respects them all.

When was the last time that respect was given to the nonbeliever, to the polytheists as well as the monotheists?

There is no guarentee that you will not hear about religion...only that government can not , as Bush did, promote any.

[colorperdaughter]

This is very true and religious people who do good works are to be commended for sure. Still not sure there has to be a religious aspect. The 700 CLub getting tax emempt status makes me sick. Poor people would rather a living wage than charity, really. Do gooders so get something back, it is not without quid-pro-quo

[take10]

Stop the crap! These faith based organizations do their good deeds for taxpayer funds and nothing else. Isn't it funny that they didn't enter the game until the door was opened to the bank by Bush? Stop the funds and you'll see just how eager they are to do so much for the poor. You shouldn't need a mega church to do what Jesus would have done. Just another form of tax free capitalism, making preachers rich. The only difference in banks and churches is the banks are closed on Sunday.

[TinaFreeman]

Wow, you just don't get it do you. How sad.

[TinaFreeman]

Exactly!!!

[Zanti]

Your post is too linear and commonsensical to possibly pass muster with the rationalists, or whatever they call themselves.

[jemiltd]

DuBois looks like a great choice; wonderful resume. I think that there is merit in having someone field aspects of government that touch this perspective without it being tainted by the notion of non-separation of church and state. In fact this appointment may be a good way to develop more volunteerism on a group oriented level.

[Grit]

State sponsored faith based programs. Well its a start toward state dictated religion. Looks like we are gonna get it no matter what the constitution says. But I have to agree its money better spent than that wasted on the wall street bailout.

[PoliticalAmazon]

Ayatollah Obama, Full Steam Ahead!

[AndThenOneDay]

Never let it be said that the left can't match the right hyperbole for hyperbole.

[Zanti]

Speaking of which, what is your political orientation? Left? Libertarian? Right?

[jemiltd]

More knee-jerk reactions without actually finding out what you are talking about. President Obama is doing something that reaches out to ALL faiths, not one specific. The best way to reach the most people in the communities is through church and community. Do YOU have a better idea? Why not send it in? Criticism without constructive input is called....

[TexasDem0]

I bet you can list "all faiths" in this country.

[PoliticalAmazon]

ITA. All hail the Ayatollah Obama!

[BandsofBlack]

Please ask yourselves if this was McCain further expanding this program how would you be reacting?

This is wrong.

Government has no business giving ANY money to religions.

[PoliticalAmazon]

Yes, it is wrong. It shows Obama's values are not compatible with the COnstitution and BOR. I fear we will have to start working right now to unseat him in 2012.

[terragazelle60]

Fool.

[longislandlol]

lovely...

[123dee]

I enjoyed listening to Obama at the prayer breakfast. He is a very intelligent man,
he basically wished peace and well being to all faiths and non believers.
Religion is no in the White house, faith is an aspect of our society that the
White house considers.
Let the people heel and recover spiritually from last 8 years of hell. I favor this appointment.
There will be another time to deal with the financial aspects.