Religions > Atheism > ACLU release on upholding Democracy against the theofascists
| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"Fredric L. Rice" |
| Date: |
02 May 2005 08:56:40 PM |
| Object: |
ACLU release on upholding Democracy against the theofascists |
PRESS RELEASE ** PRESS RELEASE ** PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 29, 2005
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Contact: Rob Boston or Jeremy Leaming
202.466.3234 telephone
202.466.2587 fax
www.au.org
AMERICANS UNITED PRAISES FEDERAL COURT'S DECISION IN 'FAITH-BASED' PRISON
PROGRAM
Federal Court Says Legal Challenge Against Iowa Prison Ministry Program May
Proceed
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today lauded a federal
judge's ruling that its lawsuit against a faith-based prison ministry
program may proceed to trial.
In 2003, Americans United brought suit in a U.S. District Court in Iowa,
arguing that the Iowa Department of Corrections (IDOC) was violating the
separation of church and state by promoting an evangelical Christian prison
ministry program called InnerChange Freedom Initiative.
In its lawsuit, Americans United argued that the program, which receives
state funds, indoctrinates participants in religion and that inmates
choosing to enter the program receive benefits not provided to those who do
not. InnerChange was created and is operated by Charles Colson's Prison
Fellowship Ministries.
U.S. District Judge Robert W. Pratt, in a 29-page opinion issued today,
wrote that Americans United had produced "voluminous documentation," in
arguing "the InnerChange program is so infused with religion that it is
impossible to separate its sectarian from nonsectarian functioning."
Americans United is representing IDOC inmates, their family members and
Iowa taxpayers.
"Government must not be in the business of religious conversion of
inmates," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director.
"The whole idea of InnerChange rests on accepting evangelical Christianity
as a way to rehabilitation. The set-up in Iowa is a blatant violation of
the First Amendment and must be shut down."
Pratt noted in Americans United for Separation of Church and State v.
Prison Fellowship Ministries, that Iowa's corrections department had paid
InnerChange $1,111,553.50 "in direct payments" and that the contract with
the religious program has "been renewed and extended annually to the
present."
AU's lawsuit charges that InnerChange is based solely on evangelical
Christianity. The program's materials describe it as "a revolutionary,
Christ-centered, values-based pre-release program supporting prison inmates
through their spiritual and moral transformation."
Pratt's opinion also ordered "that a trial will be held as soon as feasibly
possible on Plaintiffs' claims that IDOC's funding of the InnerChange
program violates" the First Amendment principle of church-state separation.
"The court's opinion recognizes that we have presented a substantial amount
of evidence in support of our claims that the InnerChange program violates
the U.S. Constitution," said AU's Senior Litigation Counsel Alex
Luchenitser. "We look forward to proving at trial that the government is
supporting religious discrimination and coercion by funding and sponsoring
InnerChange."
Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington,
D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the
importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
************************************************************************
If you are a member of Americans United, thank you! To help
Americans United by funding our work, please join AU or renew
your membership today by visiting our secure online gift center
at http://www.au.org/site/R?i=POME8up4ECDdVM0SF8w0fg..
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*************************************************************************
Beth Corbin
National Field Director
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
518 C Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
PH: 202-466-3234
FAX: 202-466-2587
corbin@au.org
AUcorbin@aol.com
www.au.org
---
http://www.ElmerFudd.US/ http://www.notserver.com/
Scientology crooks: http://sf.irk.ru/www/ot3/otiii-gif.html
http://www.0-48.preclear.ru/ http://PerkinsTragedy.org
http://www.rightard.org/
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