The Regulation of Religious Organizations as Recipients of Governmental Assistance

by Carl Esbeck
Center for Public Justice (1996)

Political leaders form the White House and Congress, from state capitols and city halls, are looking for ways government can support community and religious organizations that work with the needy. Is government support helpful or harmful to religious and private charities? This study surveys federal, state, and local laws and regulations to determine:

• When religious organizations determine government support, what restrictions are placed on them?
• Are the restrictions constitutionally acceptable?
• Do the restrictions harm the religious integrity of the organizations?

Carl Esbeck lays a solid foundation for reconstructing public policy so that government and religious charities can collaborate fruitfully. Carl Esbeck has served as Director of the Center for Law and Religious Liberty, the advocacy division of the Christian Legal Society. He teaches at the University of Missouri School of Law where he holds the Isabelle Wade & Paul C. Lyda chair as Professor of Law. He has directed the U.S. Department of Justice's Task Force on Faith-Based and Communities  Initiatives. Professor Esbeck publishes on church/state issues and has advised congressional committes and congressional offices on legislation concerning government and religious charities.

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