ACLU suit sees religious content in abstinence plan

Boston.com ^ | 05/17/2005 | Jonathan Saltzman

[Panerai]

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in federal court in Boston yesterday challenging the US government's funding of a faith-based abstinence program called the Silver Ring Thing, arguing that the public contribution of more than $1 million violates the constitutional separation of church and state.

The nationwide initiative, which has held four events in the Boston area since 2002 and is planning more, urges middle school and high school students to forgo premarital sex and buy silver rings to symbolize their vow of abstinence. The three-hour events have drawn tens of thousands of young people since the program began 10 years ago.

[gulfcoast6]

Something has got to be done about the ACLU and to start, cut off their federal funding.

[sirchtruth]

ACLU/Atheist will do anything to destroy what's good...However "WE" the people keep allowing them to continue their destructive silly backwardassed activism.

I wonder what would happen if religious people started MASSIVE openaired public prayer meetings on public property?

[ken5050]

Yes, of course, but if a federal judge accept the case, that person should be impeached immediately..

[no more apples]

violates the constitutional separation of church and state.

HUH?

[KateatRFM]

What's religious about "No Ding Ding without the Wedding Ring"? (That's from The Princess Bride, by the way).

[Nathan Zachary]

Isn't the ACLU a kind of religion? I think it can be considered so, therefore it's funding should be cut, plus they need to pay their own way when making these frivolous lawsuits. The Gubbermint needs to crack down on this anti- American group, if there is no law, make one!

[Nathan Zachary]

And why isn't the ACLU going after Rev. Jessie Jackson?? He's a political activist, but I bet his home base "church" is tax-exempt, even though he preaches politics every Sunday. The ACLU wouldn't happen to be BIASED now would it? The ACLU should also be charged with hate mongering. They are singling out Christians and causing people to hate them, which IS a crime. There is absolutely nothing in Christian scripture which is hatefull.