faith-based

See also: faithbased

English

Etymology

From faith +‎ based. The political sense emerged from the 1970s to the 1980s. The term "faith-based organization" dates from 1971.[1]

Adjective

faith-based (comparative more faith-based, superlative most faith-based)

  1. (theology, religious studies) based on religious faith
    • 1982, Melford E. Spiro, Buddhism and Society: A Great Tradition and Its Burmese Vicissitudes[2]:
      [] a self-confidence which stems from faith in the Buddha and His power. By this faith-based confidence they cure themselves.
  2. (chiefly US, euphemistic) of civic associations connected with religious groups, specifically of such organizations sponsored by government funds
    • 2006, Senate Hearings Before the Committee on Appropriations[3]:
      You are requesting a $2,100,000 increase for a "Faith Based and Community Initiatives," for a total of $37,432,000 [] . What distinguishes these projects from faith-based initiatives of the Employment and Training Administration?

References