Compassion and Power: Religion, Spirituality, and Public Administration.

The involvement of faith-based organizations in public matters may be motivated by compassion, by a desire for political power, or perhaps by some other purpose. This article argues that it is appropriate for organizations with pronounced religious perspectives to play roles in the delivery of public services and in informing public-decision making. We also argue that such involvement has considerable potential for controversy and, under certain circumstances, can have an adverse impact on a pluralistic democracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]