Religion Roundup
Lawsuit over State Referrals to Lutheran Facility Dismissed
Associated Press
July 18, 2008
BISMARCK, N.D. - A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging referrals by North Dakota government agencies to a church-affiliated nonprofit that treats and educates troubled children.
Judge Dan Hovland says the Freedom From Religion Foundation and five North Dakota taxpayers who are members of the group have no right to sue.
Hovland's ruling does not address the plaintiffs' contention that referrals to the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch are unconstitutional because they use public money to indoctrinate children with religion.
The Boys and Girls Ranch, which is affiliated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, said it receives state funds but that its spiritual component is funded entirely with private money.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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