Customer Reviews

A Revolution of Compassion: Faith-Based Groups as Full Partners in Fighting America's Social Problems

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4 star:		(1)
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This book is an argument for people in faith-based organizations to become involved in the federal government's service projects. It makes the point that the tide has turned against anti religious sentiment among decision makers who issue grants. In spite of this new trend, there continues to be a lingering anti faith element.

Dave Donaldson describes how a tragedy that occurred in his family early in his life caused him to realize help is needed from multiple sources when such incidents take place. He says the faith-based initiatives are nonpartisan, that they were actually started under President Clinton. President Bush followed through by adding emphasis to what was already on the books.

Other places in this book clear up some legal misconceptions. For example, a faith based organization does not have to hire someone outside their set of beliefs if they accept government money. Additionally there are both direct and indirect means of obtaining government funds.

A Revolution of Compassion is a fair and objective look at the relationship between the faith-based community and government. I found the interviews with government, corporate, social and faith-based leaders to be insightful, while representing both sides of the issue of seperation of church and state. The reader will gain a helpful historical perspective of the history of this current hot-button along with where we stand today on this unresolved issue. More specific ideas as to what initiatives might be taken in local communities would add a necessary component to the book. However, the insight gained is more than useful

This is a very good book and definately worth reading. David Donaldson's personal account of his early life is an inspiring account that leads to an obvious logical conclusion; We must encourage and support the church to continue one of its prime directives, to feed the hungry, give to the poor, etc.. The current effort of acknowledging and encouraging the church to not abandon its efforts to the "professionals" is laudible.

The authors of this book have done an excellent job giving vision and information to any corporation, nonprofit, public agency or faith-based ministry who wants to make a difference in their community. The best way, the authors argue, is to work together.

Filled with interviews with top leaders in all sectors, this book both inspires a new way of thinking and provides a road map for accomplishing it. Highly recommended for all those who want encouragement for their existing efforts, who wish that they could do more, or for anyone who would like to see our communities renewed.

I bought this book for my research on my college thesis, which is about how the Faith-Based Initiative and Charitable Choice reflect a growing trend in government to privatize welfare services. I want my research to be fully informed by all the various differing voices in the debate over Charitable Choice, and thought that this book would yield thoughtful, intelligent analysis and discussion. I was sadly disappointed. This book is not meant to be a resource for any serious scholarly discussion, as I found it greatly oversimplified many of the topics it approached, and is written very much in a consumer-friendly fashion. If you are looking for a book that will lay out the basic positions of supporters of Charitable Choice and the Faith-Based Initiative, and a simple explanation of what Charitable Choice is, then this is the book for you. However, if you are looking for serious scholarly discussion, don't waste your money.