Nathan J. Diament, the OU’s Director of Public Policy, pens an op-ed published by The Hill:

Now that President Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships has completed its first year of work and issued its final recommendations, we commend the President for resisting those extreme voices who call on him to discriminate against faith-driven organizations serving the poor here and abroad.

Yet, in the midst of a global recession affecting billions here and around the globe, some seem intent on showing the door to these dedicated humanitarians.

Faith-based charities have a proven, decades-long track record of effectiveness while serving the poor, the sick, the elderly and children-at-risk in America and throughout the world. Last month, USAID awarded more than $50 million to several faith-based agencies, including Catholic Relief Services, Samaritan’s Purse and World Vision, for their long-term and dedicated efforts in rebuilding earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Yet, there is a vocal minority of advocates in the United States attempting to remove all federal support from faith-based groups unless they surrender what essentially makes them who they are: their faith.

Read the op-ed in its entirety here.