North Dakota Is Sued in Church-State Case - New York Times

Moet die staat Christelike welsynsorganisasies finansiëel subsideer? Hoe raak dit godsdiensvryheid in 'n sekulêre staat. Dis vrae wat al hoe meer relevant raak in Suid-Afrika. In Amerika is daar 'n toetssaak in hierdie verband aan die gang.

A group that advocates strict separation of church and state has sued North Dakota to bar public financing of an association that provides therapeutic and rehabilitative services for troubled youth by steeping them in Christian teachings, Bible readings, religious services and rituals.

The complaint was brought Tuesday in a federal court in North Dakota by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, acting on behalf of three of the state’s taxpayers. It is the most recent in a spate of legal challenges to public financing of religion-based programs.

The foundation, a group of atheists and agnostics, argues that the state’s Division of Juvenile Services and the Ward County Social Services Department should stop committing children with behavioral and emotional problems to the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, which, according to the ranch’s Web site, helps “children and families succeed in the name of Christ.” The ranch — actually an association that provides a variety of residential and day programs around the state — and directors of the two government agencies are named as defendants.