Advocacy Group Sues North Dakota in Religion Case

The Freedom From Religion Foundation has filed a lawsuit against the state of North Dakota, arguing that its support of religion-based programs that help troubled youths illegally blurs the line that separates church and state, reports The New York Times.

The group contends that the state’s Division of Juvenile Services and the Ward County Social Services Department have sent children with behavioral and psychological problems to the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, which promotes Christian teachings and Bible study. The suit was filed with a federal court in North Dakota.

Says Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of Freedom From Religion, “This is much more troubling than other cases because it is a captive audience and a vulnerable population that is unabashedly being indoctrinated in Christianity. They are being committed by the county or the state without their consent.”

Lisa Bjergaard, director of the Division of Juvenile Services, defended the ranch, saying it does not indoctrinate children against their will. “It’s kind of mysterious to me why they would file the lawsuit,” she told the newspaper. “Kids can attend church service if they want, but they aren’t forced to.”

Read the Chronicle’s profile of the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

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