[poochee]

What does the ACLU do to uplift our countries values? IMO they want a wide-open society with no moral convictions. Do they do anything besides attack religion? And fight for bizarre things? I am curious and would like to see some other types of cases. I am starting the thread with this case.

Washingtonpost.com

Federal Funds For Abstinence Group Withheld

By Ceci Connolly

The Bush administration yesterday suspended a federal grant to the Silver Ring Thing abstinence program, saying it appears to use tax money for religious activities.

Officials at the Department of Health and Human Services ordered the group to submit a "corrective action plan" if it hopes to receive an expected $75,000 grant this year.

In a letter to the program director, Harry Wilson, associate commissioner of the Family and Youth Services Bureau, concluded that the project funded with federal dollars "includes both secular and religious components that are not adequately safeguarded."

The action comes three months after the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against HHS, accusing the administration of using tax dollars to promote Christianity. In documents filed in federal court in Boston, the ACLU alleged that the activities, brochures and Web site of Silver Ring Thing were "permeated with religion" and use "taxpayer dollars to promote religious content, instruction and indoctrination."

Teenage graduates of the program sign a covenant "before God Almighty" to remain virgins and earn a silver ring inscribed with a Bible passage reminding them to "keep clear of sexual sin." Many of its events are held at churches.

In filings with the Internal Revenue Service, the organization describes its mission as "evangelistic ministry" with an emphasis on "evangelistic crusade planning."

Representatives of the Pennsylvania-based nonprofit describe Silver Ring Thing as a "faith-based" group but dispute charges it has commingled its public funds with religious activities.

"Any religious teaching that goes on is separate in time and place from what the government is funding," said Joel Oster, senior litigation counsel at the Alliance Defense Fund, which is representing the Silver Ring Thing. "They offer a religious program and they offer a secular program; kids can choose which one they want to go to."

In an advertisement on its Web site for a set of educational materials on DVD, Silver Ring Thing promises: "A secular program is also in development."

The ACLU declared a partial victory yesterday but said it will continue to monitor the group's activities.

"We're really pleased the government has recognized Silver Ring Thing was misusing public dollars to promote its own faith over all others," said senior staff attorney Julie Sternberg. "It's improper for the federal government to underwrite a national roadshow designed to convert teenagers to a particular faith."

HHS officials would not elaborate beyond the letter.

[bassetman]

Originally Posted by Poochee

What does the ACLU do to uplift our countries values? IMO they want a wide-open society with no moral convictions. Do they do anything besides attack religion? And fight for bizarre things? I am curious and would like to see some other types of cases. I am starting the thread with this case.

It has to do with the Gov. funding of a religious point of view.
Not creating an amoral society. With the ACLU approach every family can teach their children THEIR values, not the Gov. funded POV.

Almost sounds like the GOP doesn't it?

[Chicon]

According to the conservatives, ACLU with the complicity of CAIR is promoting Islam against the christianity.
Also, on the beaches of Miami, you may expect to see the women clothed like those pictured on this site : http://www.hasema.com/shopen/products.asp?cat=1 .

[bassetman]

Originally Posted by Chicon

According to the conservatives, ACLU with the complicity of CAIR is promoting Islam against the christianity.
Also, on the beaches of Miami, you may expect to see the women clothed like those pictured on this site : http://www.hasema.com/shopen/products.asp?cat=1 .

LOL Berkas for the beach!

[Ciberblade]

Originally Posted by bassetman

It has to do with the Gov. funding of a religious point of view.
Not creating an amoral society. With the ACLU approach every family can teach their children THEIR values, not the Gov. funded POV.

Almost sounds like the GOP doesn't it?

Yeah, they take on things like Affirmative Action -- "the new racism"

Almost sounds like the DEMs doesn't it?

[Mulderator]

Originally Posted by bassetman

With the ACLU approach every family can teach their children THEIR values, not the Gov. funded POV.

So which family's POV does NOT include teaching their teenagers abstinence? Hell, even liberal parents teach that, I'm sure.

[poochee]

I have never seen any cases by the ACLU other than those aimed at the eroding of good values (other than some for handicapped people). Would like to be pleasantly suprised!

[Mulderator]

Originally Posted by poochee

Would like to be pleasantly suprised!

Don't hold your breath.

[poochee]

Originally Posted by bassetman

It has to do with the Gov. funding of a religious point of view.
Not creating an amoral society. With the ACLU approach every family can teach their children THEIR values, not the Gov. funded POV.

Almost sounds like the GOP doesn't it?

I know what they are complaning about. IMO the ACLU is trying to systematically erase all good values from our society.

[GoneForNow]

Have you noticed that the ACLU liberal types think a child of 14 is smart enough to make a decision about having an abortion without informing the parents but isn't smart enough at 18 to decide whether to join the military or not.

[poochee]

Originally Posted by gbrumb

Have you noticed that the ACLU liberal types think a child of 14 is smart enough to make a decision about having an abortion without informing the parents but isn't smart enough at 18 to decide whether to join the military or not.

Yes!

[Mulderator]

Originally Posted by poochee

I know what they are complaning about. IMO the ACLU is trying to systematically erase all good values from our society.

The problem is they have a bastarized concept of what the 1st Amendment stands for--they've changed it from "freedom of religion" to "freedom from religion." Nowhere in the History of the 1st Amendment can you find any evidence that the founding fathers intended there to be separation of state from religion. In fact, the concept it ludicrous when you consider the majority of legilsators have some religious affiliation. The purpose of the 1st Amendemnt was twofold: to make sure people were free to practice their religion and to make sure religious doctrine was kept sepate from government policy and law. But the notion that government funding of a program to promote absticence is somehow a violation of the 1st Amendment merely because the organization receiving the funding has religious affiliation is absurd. Where does this end? Should St. Joseph's Childen's Hospital here in California be cut off from government aid because of its affiliation with the Catholic Church? It really is getting asburd. If these ACLU kooks have their way, most religious charities will be paying tax on donations and those same donations will no longer be tax deductible to the donator. As poochee says, its as if they want to strip every bit of morality from society so long as it has any connection whatsoever to religion. Really absurd--these people need to be on medication!

[bassetman]

Originally Posted by Mulder

So which family's POV does NOT include teaching their teenagers abstinence? Hell, even liberal parents teach that, I'm sure.

Good point, but it's not Gov. funded and if their choice!

[bassetman]

Originally Posted by poochee

I know what they are complaning about. IMO the ACLU is trying to systematically erase all good values from our society.

Good grief! Are you another follower of Pat Robertson?

[poochee]

Originally Posted by bassetman

Good grief! Are you another follower of Pat Robertson?

No, quite frankly I don't even think about him until he does something to get attention in the media.

I still would like to see some cases where the ACLU is bashing something besides anything that could be uplifting in our society. So far, nothing has been presented.

I can visualize them foaming at the mouth thinking, "Who's going to bring us a juicy one today so we can continue our destroy mission".