On all things religious Obama turns to DuBois
Adelle M. Banks/Religion News Service
Issue date: 7/26/09 Section: Divine Intervention
"Josh was very serious and very smart and was very concerned ... as an undergraduate in trying to connect faith to issues of public policy," said the Rev. Eugene Rivers, a co-founder of the foundation and a prominent Black Pentecostal leader.
Though he doesn't dwell on his relative youth, he said he realizes the weighty responsibilities given to someone who hasn't even reached 30 yet. "I think one of the most important things is to know what you don't know," he said.
In his talks to various religious groups, DuBois outlines the office's four-point focus on economic recovery, abortion reduction, responsible fatherhood and interfaith relations. He's met with evangelicals, Jews, Hindus and Sikhs, as well as secularists who think his office shouldn't exist.
While DuBois' day job is heading up the faith-based office, he also carries another title: special assistant to the president, which includes the daily presidential meditations as well as helping the first family find a church home in Washington.
Some people who have known DuBois say his workload can cause him to be disorganized and unresponsive, although they declined to have their names attached publicly to their criticisms. For his part, DuBois says he's doing the best he can.
"We're a federal entity that's coordinating 11 offices with pretty key priorities. ... I try to be as responsive as I can, along with my staff and others here at the White House. But there are always going to be some challenges in that regard."
Daughtry joked that DuBois -- who also finds time to be a Big Brother to a Boston teenager and keep up a five-year relationship with his girlfriend -- has made a bargain of sorts with God to manage his busy schedule.
"He's attached to that cell phone like it's another appendage," she said. "I'm convinced he's got some deal with God to give him a couple of extra hours a day."
Though he doesn't dwell on his relative youth, he said he realizes the weighty responsibilities given to someone who hasn't even reached 30 yet. "I think one of the most important things is to know what you don't know," he said.
In his talks to various religious groups, DuBois outlines the office's four-point focus on economic recovery, abortion reduction, responsible fatherhood and interfaith relations. He's met with evangelicals, Jews, Hindus and Sikhs, as well as secularists who think his office shouldn't exist.
While DuBois' day job is heading up the faith-based office, he also carries another title: special assistant to the president, which includes the daily presidential meditations as well as helping the first family find a church home in Washington.
Some people who have known DuBois say his workload can cause him to be disorganized and unresponsive, although they declined to have their names attached publicly to their criticisms. For his part, DuBois says he's doing the best he can.
"We're a federal entity that's coordinating 11 offices with pretty key priorities. ... I try to be as responsive as I can, along with my staff and others here at the White House. But there are always going to be some challenges in that regard."
Daughtry joked that DuBois -- who also finds time to be a Big Brother to a Boston teenager and keep up a five-year relationship with his girlfriend -- has made a bargain of sorts with God to manage his busy schedule.
"He's attached to that cell phone like it's another appendage," she said. "I'm convinced he's got some deal with God to give him a couple of extra hours a day."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
anita
posted 8/13/09 @ 5:43 PM EST
I remember when there used to be "separation of church and state" due to the church control of England. Why
was that undone?
Can we re-establish that American tax dollars will no
longer go to religious causes?
Who determines which religions get financial support and the amounts? I knew someone who became a "pastor" so he wouldn't have to pay taxes. (Continued…)
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