CHURCHES KNOW HOW TO HELP THE NEEDY

This nation owes much to the religious underpinnings of its founding. Over the years, churches and other religious organizations have found ways to follow the scriptural command to care for the poor and needy. Once upon a time, the bulk of social needs -- from hospitals to orphanages to soup kitchens -- were met by religious groups.

But the complexion of social programs changed drastically under the development of welfare programs supported mainly by federal tax dollars. The U.S. welfare system took over many roles once performed by religious groups. And, because government funding couldn't be used by churches, the federal government because the main provider of social services.

With the welfare reform law that was adopted last year, the pendulum is starting to swing back again. One provision of the reform law allows charitable and religious groups to receive tax dollars as states turn to the private sector for social programs. Several states already have found ways to funnel funding to churches that are taking on a bigger role. Among them are Texas, Michigan, Virginia, Maryland, Mississippi and Washington.

The sponsor of that provision in the reform law was U.S. Sen. John Ashcroft of Missouri. As expected, churches generally are able to provide many of the services once handled by the federal bureaucracy at a much lower cost.

Ashcroft wants to expand this concept, known as charitable choice. The current law only applies to the Temporary Aid to Needy Families program. The senator would extend it to programs that address drug rehabilitation and job training, among other important programs.

Of course, the idea of federal funds going to religious organizations, even for such good reasons, has its detractors. There are those who say the concept of separation of church and state is more important than finding ways to help people at a reasonable cost.

It is sad that efforts to separate religion from government so completely have succeeded to the point that there is no longer a moral compass in our nation's capital. It is time that reasonable efforts to address real needs in our society be given a chance to succeed, even if those services are provided by churches.

Federal lawmakers can look at examples across the country, including here in Cape Girardeau, where local churches, government agencies and social organizations are working cooperatively to find common solutions to the problems of the needy, the poor and jobless. More power to them.