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Responses to hurricane boost hopes for faith-based funding: Legislative battles ahead

As criticism of the government’s response to Hurricane Katrina continues, praise of faith-based groups that have responded is providing new momentum in a campaign to expand federal funding of religious social services.

Religious groups were some of the first on the Gulf Coast scene, delivering desperately needed help in relief operations last year. Many faith-based groups are still there, taking a high-profile role in rebuilding efforts, which raises the question: Should religious groups get government money for their work?