Federal government

Militias and religion: Hutaree case puts Christian extremism on trial

The indictment of nine members of an extremist militia in the Midwest known as the Hutaree has cast a spotlight on shadowy right-wing hate groups, and on their fringe religious worldviews. The Hutaree case also comes amid concerns about growing threats stemming from contentious policy debates such as health care reform.

Do-or-die for health care: Religious groups weigh in

Health care reform may be approaching a make-or-break moment as President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats push to pass a bill by the weekend while Republicans have vowed to oppose the legislation. The urgency has further galvanized religious bodies and lobbies that have dedicated themselves to seeing health care reform pass — or fail.

The faith-based initiative 2.0: Obama’s new approach

After months of work, President Barack Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships has sent him a list of proposals on revamping the White House’s faith-based program. The proposals will also set priorities for the office and will renew debate — and media coverage — of this controversial initiative.

Federal budget item No. 1: values

Federal budget proposals generally toss about words such as deficits, subsidies, discretionary spending and annual appropriations. This year when President Bush unveiled his $2.57 trillion 2006 budget, another word emerged: values. In an effort to rein in the expanding deficit, Bush’s budget eliminates or reduces a wide variety of education, health and housing programs that [...]