Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 01-09-2002, 11:04 PM

<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/10/national/10FAIT.html" target="_blank">Judge in Wisconsin Voids a Religion-Based Initiative</a>

Quote:

By LAURIE GOODSTEIN

In a case widely seen as the first legal challenge to the constitutionality of President Bush's religion- based initiative, a federal court in Wisconsin has ordered the state to stop giving money to a drug and alcohol addiction program that relied heavily on Christian spirituality in its approach to treatment.

The Faith Works program, in a former convent in Milwaukee, was praised by George W. Bush when he visited the city on a campaign stop in 2000 as the kind of religion-based program he would like to promote as president.

Faith Works has received nearly $1 million from Wisconsin, much of it during the tenure of Gov. Tommy G. Thompson, who now serves in President Bush's cabinet as secretary of health and human services.

In a decision made public late Tuesday, Judge Barbara B. Crabb of Federal District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin ruled that giving "unrestricted, direct state funding" to Faith Works amounted to government-sponsored religious coercion.

"I conclude that the Faith Works program indoctrinates its participants in religion, primarily through its counselors," the judge wrote. "Religion is so integral to the Faith Works program that it is not possible to isolate it from the program as a whole."

. . .

In one sign of White House interest in the case, Attorney General John Ashcroft filed an amicus brief on behalf of the defendants. Nonetheless, Susan Dryden, a spokeswoman for the Justice Department, said yesterday that the case "reaffirms the importance of providing protections to make sure that federal funds aren't used for religious or proselytizing purposes."

. . .

The case was brought by the <a href="http://www.ffrf.org" target="_blank">Freedom From Religion Foundation</a>

[ January 10, 2002: Message edited by: Toto ]</p>

Femme Savante · 01-10-2002, 11:13 AM

Good news indeed.

Toto, enlighten me a little. Since this case was brought in a Federal District Court, does Judge Crabb's ruling have any influence outside the state of Wisconsin -- i.e. throughout that Federal district?

I'd like to see more of these "faith"-based programs shut down, and this ruling may be the means for doing so. At the very least, I know our court system works on precedent, so now AU and ACLU have a legal precedent for bringing other lawsuits.

M.L.

Toto · 01-10-2002, 02:14 PM

The decision technically is only precedent in that district in Wisconsin. But if it is well written, it may be persuasive to other courts. If the decision is appealed to a circuit and upheld, it will be precedent for that circuit (a group of states).

The Bush administration and the Wisconsin government may decide not to appeal the case, and try to make some modifications in the program instead. Then they can claim that the Wisconsin program had a problem only because if its particular facts, and other faith based programs are ok.

The price of liberty is eternal vigilance, it seems.

Euromutt · 01-10-2002, 03:37 PM

Be that as it may, GO, JUDGE CRABB! <img src="graemlins/notworthy.gif" border="0" alt="[Not Worthy]" />
(More so for disregarding John Ashcroft, Lord Protector of the Realm - aka "that fascist bastard")

[ January 10, 2002: Message edited by: Euromutt ]</p>

MikeG · 01-10-2002, 03:48 PM

I wonder how fast most people normally for thee religious programs would protest if federal $ were going toward Islamic Madressa's (sp?) styled program. On the other hand Bush himself seems to believe that any "True" religion (as if there could be more than on - but he thinks Islam is one of them) is harmless.

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01-10-2002, 11:13 AM	#2
Femme Savante Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: The Desert that is Denver Posts: 56	Good news indeed. Toto, enlighten me a little. Since this case was brought in a Federal District Court, does Judge Crabb's ruling have any influence outside the state of Wisconsin -- i.e. throughout that Federal district? I'd like to see more of these "faith"-based programs shut down, and this ruling may be the means for doing so. At the very least, I know our court system works on precedent, so now AU and ACLU have a legal precedent for bringing other lawsuits. M.L.

01-10-2002, 02:14 PM	#3
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	The decision technically is only precedent in that district in Wisconsin. But if it is well written, it may be persuasive to other courts. If the decision is appealed to a circuit and upheld, it will be precedent for that circuit (a group of states). The Bush administration and the Wisconsin government may decide not to appeal the case, and try to make some modifications in the program instead. Then they can claim that the Wisconsin program had a problem only because if its particular facts, and other faith based programs are ok. The price of liberty is eternal vigilance, it seems.

01-10-2002, 03:37 PM	#4
Euromutt Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The Netherlands (the Kingdom of the Dammed) Posts: 687	Be that as it may, GO, JUDGE CRABB! <img src="graemlins/notworthy.gif" border="0" alt="[Not Worthy]" /> (More so for disregarding John Ashcroft, Lord Protector of the Realm - aka "that fascist bastard") [ January 10, 2002: Message edited by: Euromutt ]</p>

01-10-2002, 03:48 PM	#5
MikeG Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Michigan USA Posts: 27	I wonder how fast most people normally for thee religious programs would protest if federal $ were going toward Islamic Madressa's (sp?) styled program. On the other hand Bush himself seems to believe that any "True" religion (as if there could be more than on - but he thinks Islam is one of them) is harmless.

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