ZANESVILLE, Ohio -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, reaching out to religious voters who usually support the Republicans, said Tuesday he wants to expand the Bush administration's program of steering federal social-service dollars to religious groups.
And in a move sure to cause controversy among his many Liberal supporters, Obama also said he supported, to a limited extend, the ability of such groups to hire and fire based on faith.
Obama unveiled his approach to getting religious charities more involved in government anti-poverty programs at Eastside Community Ministry in Zanesville, which provides food, clothing, youth ministry and other services.
"The challenges we face today ... are simply too big for government to solve alone," Obama said.
Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, criticized Obama's proposed expansion of a program he said has undermined civil rights and civil liberties.
-- The Associated Press
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