Politics
Tuesday May 17, 2005
ACLU Sues US Government for Funding Chastity Drive
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WASHINGTON, May 17, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The American Civil Liberties Union sued the US government Monday, arguing that federal funding of a countrywide abstinence program is illegal because it promotes religion.
The ACLU takes issue with the Silver Ring Thing abstinence drive because it derives from a Christian ministry. In addition, the silver ring - a perpetual memento of the abstinence oath - has inscribed upon it a verse of scripture. The program has received over $1 million in funding from the Department of Health and Human Services since 2003, as part of abstinence-only sex education.
"The courts have repeatedly said taxpayer dollars cannot be used to promote religion," said ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project attorney Julie Sternberg, according to an AP report. "The Silver Ring Thing blatantly violates this principle," she claimed.
The ring is inscribed with a bible verse - 1 Thessalonians 4, 3-4, which reads: "God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin. Then each of you will control your body and live in holiness and honour."
The Silver Ring Thing founder and president, Denny Pattyn, said that more than 30,000 young people have vowed to remain chaste before marriage after taking one of their 3-hour presentations, which includes music and comedy.
See AP coverage:
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=15271
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
New Study Finds Abstinence Pays Off in the Long Run
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/may/05050607.html
MAJOR NEW U.S. STUDY PROVES THAT ABSTINENCE WORKS
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/apr/03041402.html
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