Obama signs order on faith-based groups

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- President Obama signed an executive order Wednesday tightening the rules for faith-based organizations receiving U.S. government funds.

Under the order, religious groups receiving money for social services must provide them separately in both time and space from religious observance. Religious symbols and pictures can, however, be displayed in spaces used for social services.

People who object to receiving social services from religious groups must be referred to other providers, the order said. It also requires decisions about funding to be free of even the appearance of political interference.

"These are important, substantive changes that are directly responsive to the recommendations of church-state experts across the ideological spectrum," said Joshua DuBois, executive director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

The office was established by President George W. Bush shortly after his inauguration. During the Bush administration, critics accused the president and his top aides of using aid to religious groups for political purposes.