Joe Loconte

In the following viewpoint, Joe Loconte describes how religious groups and organizations are making significant progress in many communities in alleviating or preventing social problems such as crime and welfare dependency. Loconte contends that the religious messages imparted by faith-based organizations are integral to their success. Many state and local governments are growing to appreciate the positive contributions religious groups can make, and are enlisting their help in dealing with social welfare concerns. Loconte is a research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, and author of Seducing the Samaritan: How Government Contracts Are Reshaping Social Services.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What examples of work by faith-based organizations does Loconte describe?
2. What compromises have church groups and governments reached on preserving church-state separation while involving religious organizations...