{"id":251,"date":"2010-01-15T14:40:43","date_gmt":"2010-01-15T14:40:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/lynnvsekulow\/2010\/01\/nothing-alarming-about-aid-goi.html"},"modified":"2010-01-15T14:40:43","modified_gmt":"2010-01-15T14:40:43","slug":"nothing-alarming-about-aid-goi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lynnvsekulow\/2010\/01\/nothing-alarming-about-aid-goi.html","title":{"rendered":"Nothing Alarming About Aid Going to Teen Challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"

Barry, <\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There’s nothing “alarming” about Teen Challenge receiving federal funding merely because it is a Christian-based organization. <\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The receipt of government funds by organizations like Teen Challenge is entirely permissible, as those funds foster an important and secular interest: the treatment and recovery of citizens from addiction. <\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The mere fact that a corporation or association espouses certain religious beliefs does not preclude it from receiving the same benefits, including funding, that are available to non-religious organizations. <\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Furthermore, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 expressly permits religious corporations to hire only employees of a particular religion. The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of this provision of Title VII in Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–Day Saints v. Amos<\/i>, 483 U.S. 327 (1987). <\/font><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

But it seems from the article you’ve cited<\/a><\/font> <\/a><\/span>that Teen Challenge requires only those employees in executive ministry positions to adhere to specific religious principles, which presents no constitutional crisis at all. <\/font><\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As for the Minnesota state legislature’s decision to increase the funds received by Teen Challenge, perhaps this is merely a function of the nearly 86% success rate of the Teen Challenge recovery program.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When a government opts, in a constitutional manner, to provide funding to drug treatment programs, both religious and non-religious, it is not prohibited from increasing the amount of funds received by those programs that have a consistent track record of proven success.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Your post reminds me of a case we litigated in 2008 on behalf of Teen Challenge in Tennessee.  <\/span>The issue did not involve faith-based funding, but did address an important issue.  <\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

As you may recall<\/a>, <\/font>the organization wanted to build a facility on 13 acres of land it purchased in the Nashville area.  <\/span>Government officials initially approved the zoning request – then revoked approval and enacted an ordinance specifically targeting and discriminating against Teen Challenge.  <\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font> <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font>We filed suit in federal court and a jury found that the local governing bodies violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution, the Fair Housing Act, and the Americans With Disabilities Act.  <\/span>And the jury awarded Teen Challenge damages totaling $967,995.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The case should send an important message to local governments – discriminatory action aimed at religious organizations can be costly.  <\/span>And when it comes to providing government funding to organizations, local governments shouldn’t shy away from funding organizations simply because they are Christian-based.  <\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font> <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font>And, one more thought when it comes to faith-based funding.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Obama Administration is in the process of finalizing its rules for providing faith-based funding<\/a>.  <\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font>And, there’s discussion about requiring religious organizations to cover-up religious symbols if they receive federal funding for services – like operating a soup kitchen.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That’s absurd.  <\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font> <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font>Come on Barry, is it really necessary to remove pictures or cover up crosses when a religious organization uses its facilities to feed the hungry?<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/font> <\/p>\n

To subscribe to “Lynn v. Sekulow” click <\/font>here<\/font><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/font><\/font><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/font><\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

<\/font> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Barry,   There’s nothing “alarming” about Teen Challenge receiving federal funding merely because it is a Christian-based organization.   The receipt of government funds by organizations like Teen Challenge is entirely permissible, as those funds foster an important and secular interest: the treatment and recovery of citizens from addiction.   The mere fact that a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":163,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[62,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-faith-based-initiatives","category-separation-of-church-and-state"],"yoast_head":"\nNothing Alarming About Aid Going to Teen Challenge - Lynn v. 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FEC, Sekulow ensured that the constitutional rights of young people remain protected with a unanimous decision by the high court guaranteeing that minors can participate in political campaigns. A nationally recognized and respected defender of religious freedom, Sekulow has assembled one of the most prestigious law firms in the nation.  Founded in 1990, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses in constitutional law.  The ACLJ, under Sekulow's direction, is involved in public interest and public policy issues working to protect religious and constitutional liberties. In 2007, the Chicago Tribune concluded that the ACLJ has \"led the way\" in Christian legal advocacy.  In 2005, TIME Magazine named Sekulow one of the \"25 Most Influential Evangelicals\" in America and called the ACLJ \"a powerful counterweight\" to the ACLU.  Business Week said the ACLJ is \"the leading advocacy group for religious freedom.\"  Sekulow's work on the issue of judicial nominees - including possible vacancies at the Supreme Court - has received extensive news coverage including a front page story in The Wall Street Journal.  In addition, The National Law Journal has twice named Sekulow one of the \"100 Most Influential Lawyers\" in the United States (1994, 1997).  He is also among a distinguished group of attorneys known as \"The Public Sector 45\" named by The American Lawyer (January\/February 1997).  The magazine said the designation represents \"45 young lawyers outside the private sector whose vision and commitment are changing lives.\" Sekulow brings insight and education to listeners daily with his national call-in radio program, Jay Sekulow Live!, which is broadcast throughout the country on nearly 850 radio stations.  Sekulow also hosts a weekly television program, ACLJ This Week, which tackles the tough issues of the day and is broadcast on a number of networks nationwide including the Trinity Broadcasting Network and FamilyNet.  Sekulow is also a popular guest on nationally televised news programs on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, CNBC, and PBS.  He frequently contributes articles and commentary to national publications and is often quoted in the nation's leading newspapers including USA Today, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and Washington Times. A graduate of Mercer University, Sekulow graduated cum laude receiving both a bachelor's degree and doctor of jurisprudence from Mercer University where he served on the Mercer Law Review as an editorial staff member.  Following graduation, Sekulow served as a tax trial attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service.  In that capacity, Sekulow prepared and brought to trial tax cases on behalf of the United States Department of Treasury in United States Tax Court. He also received a Ph.D. from Regent University, with a dissertation on American Legal History, and is the author of numerous publications and law articles. 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