via Jesus Politics

GW, speaking to the Southern Baptist Convention via satellite, praises a church that was given a “faith-based intitiative” grant. Unfortunately, the recipients of that message were saying to themselves, uh…George….they’re one of those “other” Baptists. We don’t do that sort of thing…uh…..I mean…uhhhh….. that wasn’t us (they are CBF, and give no money to the SBC). George can’t seem to help himself, stickin’ his foot in his mouth on a regular basis

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Speaking live via satellite at the SBC annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn., Bush repeated themes of three previous appearances at the convention, including thanking Southern Baptists for their prayers, support of troops and opposition to gay marriage, abortion and cloning.

He also defended his “faith-based initiative” to make it easier for religious organizations to qualify for government grants to provide social services.

“America’s faith-based institutions change hearts every day,” Bush said. “And we depend on the work of these organizations to bring hope to harsh places. Yet for too long, governments have discriminated against faith-based programs–just because they have a cross or a Star of David or a crescent on the wall.”

Bush said that is why he signed an executive order that faith-based groups providing social services are entitled to the same access to federal money as other groups.

“I am proud that we have now opened billions of dollars in grant money to competition that includes our faith-based charities,” the president said. “For example, my administration awarded College Park Baptist Church in Orlando, Florida, $5.8 million to build 68 homes for low-income seniors.”

Pastor Ron Crawford told EthicsDaily.com the church was recently awarded a contract through HUD to build a second facility for persons who are disabled or near the end of life. The first, also built with HUD money, is 22 years old.

The church Web site describes College Park Baptist Church as “a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship church” located in the Orlando suburb of College Park. The site links to CBF and other moderate Baptist entities but not to the SBC.