WP: ACLU Sues HHS Over Abstinence Aid (vehicle for Christian conversion)

[DeepModem Mom]

ACLU Sues HHS Over Abstinence Aid
By Ceci Connolly
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 17, 2005; Page A10


The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit yesterday against the Department of Health and Human Services, accusing the Bush administration of spending federal tax dollars on an abstinence education program that promotes Christianity.

Filed in federal court in Boston, the lawsuit alleges that the programs and educational materials distributed by Silver Ring Thing are "permeated with religion" and use "taxpayer dollars to promote religious content, instruction and indoctrination."

Silver Ring Thing is a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit that promotes abstinence until marriage through its Web site, brochures, videos and seminars. Teenage graduates of the program, after signing a covenant "before God Almighty" to remain virgins, receive a silver ring inscribed with a Bible passage that the group renders as "God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of sexual sin."...

***

The organization has received $1 million in federal grants since summer 2003 and expects to receive $255,000 this year.

"The federal government should not underwrite the religious indoctrination of Massachusetts students," said Carol Rose, executive director of the Massachusetts ACLU. "The Silver Ring Thing is nothing more than a vehicle for converting young people to Christianity."...


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/16/AR2005051601224.html

[mcscajun]

1. It get ever weirder...

...check out the "stages" page, where this "thing" begins to look more like a Multi-Level Marketing program for recruiting.

http://www.silverringthing.com/stages.html

[DeepModem Mom]

2. You're right -- thanks for the link. NT

[Hekate]

3. Religious people are going to end up SO sorry they allowed this

The religious people of this nation who embrace or remain silent as federal funding of religion increases are ultimately going to regret ever opening this can of worms. A theocracy tells its people who to worship, how to worship, how to think, how to live. No detail is too small to escape the attention of those who believe they speak for God.

Faith proliferated in this nation because of the freedoms we take as much for granted as the air we breathe, not because it has ever been officially discouraged, much less suppressed. Theocracy, on the other hand, would have handled matters differently.

Hekate

[ninkasi]

6. You are so right, Hekate

What if one branch of Christianity became dominant over the others, and even Christians were forced to accept things they didn't believe in? Some Christians do not baptize by immersion, but by sprinkling of water. What if that becomes unacceptable?

These things might be considered unlikely to happen, but 10 years ago, how many of us could have imagined that the government would have so openly embraced one branch of religion over the many others, in violation of the Constitution?

This is very dangerous ground we are being forced to walk on, and Thomas Jefferson and our other Founding Fathers would be horrified at the idea.

[DBoon]

8. Inevitably, merging church and state results in state-controlled religion

the day will soon come when churches have to follow a political line or else lose their funding

[Robworld]

4. This is what happens when you let a born again in the White House

http://www.dumdumgoestothecircus.com /
Website updated

[LeftyMom]

10. That's a bit of a broad brush

Jimmy Carter was a born again (Bush just plays one on TV) he even taught Sunday School while he was in the White House. He didn't encourage crap like this.

Actually, now that I think about it, * is suposedly a methodist. If I'm not mistaken (and I may be, I was raised catholic, so I'm not 100% on the differences between protestant sects) they aren't really into the "born again" thing the way baptists are.

[Fire Walk With Me]

5. Anyone who hides behind salesmanship, knows he sells nothing of value

Why in the world do they HIDE what they're selling, and how they're doing it?

Are they ashamed? Do they know that people won't buy it if they can see it without disguise? Why do they have to trick people?

"How'd you become a Christian?"
"I was tricked into it."

These aren't Christ's values. How about more Christ. That's the trick.

[bluedeminredstate]

7. Why does the ACLU hate America?

I think it's quite clear that the all-knowing, all-perfect Founding Fathers made it clear in the Constitution that sex is really a dirty act that we are compelled to do to make more Americans. Who doesn't see that plain as day in the words they wrote? Jeez... they're always griping about some "right" being violated!


:sarcasm:

[KingOfLostSouls]

9. Sounds like an ad for a cock ring

"the new silver ring thing will keep your pecker harder than a nuclear tipped missile. let freedom ring from bedroom to bedroom with the silver ring thing."

[Moderator]

11. kick

[IChing]

12. US government sued over virginity project funding

JACQUI GODDARD
IN MIAMI

THE United States government is being sued for putting taxpayers’ money into a sexual abstinence programme that critics claim is a front for converting teenagers to Christianity.

By contributing funds to the Silver Ring Thing, a project that uses pop culture methods to advance a no-sex-before-marriage message, the Bush administration has breached the constitutional separation of church and state, the American Civil Liberties Union alleges.

Founded by an evangelist minister, the programme takes the form of three-hour rallies at which young people are invited to pledge their commitment to the ideal of "premarital purity" and, the ACLU complains, their commitment to Christ.>>>>snip

http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=541102005

[dogday]

13. What's with the wedding bands

Are they saying they are married to Jesus? Married to abstinence? What?

[DrDebug]

14. You get free ring if you don't want free sex

Some deal :rofl:

[foo_bar]

15. see also:

http://www.sexisforfags.com/

[formerrepuke]

19. WTF? I couldn't stay there long enough to absorb it - being at

work and all (anything with the word 'sex' will get me busted.. but is that site for real?

[foo_bar]

23. it's satire, possibly from the makers of Landover Baptist

Links from:
http://www.whitehouse.org

On edit:
The self-contained private laboratory where Lucas performs evil experiments with miniature characters from his Star Wars films is located one mile below the surface of the earth, directly under his Skywalker Ranch. "When that pervert unleashes those demonic candies on this world again, expect a public outcry so loud that Christ in in Heaven will drop a handful of sinners He was about to toss into Hellfire to cover His ears for the noise! Glory to God!" said Pastor Deacon Fred. "We intend to stop this depraved atheist maniac before he turns everyone in America into a homosexual!" The Jar Jar Binks candy sex toys contain a 10 inch push-up tongue made of strawberry flavored candy.
- http://www.landoverbaptist.org/news0502/toy.html

[reprobate]

20. I hate to make fun of the handicapped, but....

....this kid is the perfect arguement for retroactive abortion.

[meganmonkey]

21. And don't forget it's sister site, Iron Hymen, for girls!

http://www.ironhymen.com/

[SheepyMcSheepster]

27. LMAO!

thanks for that :P

[IChing]

17. 1.1 million dollars given to the scheme

snip>>>>>>>>>

Organisers quote from the Bible, testify about their own faith and encourage teenagers to sign a contract "before God Almighty" vowing to remain virgins until marriage.

In exchange for a $15 (£8) fee, participants receive a ring inscribed "1-Thess. 4:3-4" a Bible reference that corresponds to a passage in the book of Thessalonians: "It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honourable."

The ACLU’s lawsuit, launched in Massachusetts, targets the government’s Department of Health and Human Services - which has given $1.1 million (£600,000) to the scheme over the last two years - accusing it of contributing to the "religious indoctrination" of American teenagers.

[DrDebug]

18. Do you have to pay for the ring as well???

C'mon, that really sucks!

[rockedthevoteinMA]

16. Yea and they all think oral sex doesn't count as sex.

Disturbing trend I found out in college this year. :eyes:

Right on to the ACLU!

Edited to add: Lawsuit started in Massachusetts, too? Nice. Us northern heathens are causing trouble aren't we?

[renaissanceguy]

24. How about anal sex?

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.21272015

[rockedthevoteinMA]

28. It wasn't brought up, but I'm assuming they think the same thing.

And I'm in Massachusetts.

[DrDebug]

31. Not directly if you are married

Forbidden are:
* All homosexual behavior, by either men or women
* All sexual behavior between two men
* Only anal sex between two men
* Only anal sex in a Pagan temple ritual
* Sexual activity between two men in a woman's bed?

So if you are married and not in a Pagan temple, it is allowed ;)

[formerrepuke]

22. I'm past 30 and not married- is there a statue of limitations

for how long one should keep oneself 'pure'? (hypothetical question in my case)

[renaissanceguy]

25. I wonder if they are allowed

to masturbate. Oh that's right, that whole story about Onan...


http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.21272015

[HockeyMom]

26. Until you're dead and buried

ROFL

[formerrepuke]

29. Which brings to mind the old Lily Tomlin joke: Yes, there is sex

after death; you just can't feel it.

[gatlingforme]

30. Virginity is a myth - "I'm saving myself for my man" -- puke

Virginity is the most unimportant subject a woman should worry about. Sexually transmitted diseases are what women should think about and their health both emotional and physical - when becoming sexually active. Virginity just promotes ignorance to what the real issues should be. A woman saveing herself for her husband is rediculous and shows that the woman thinks her body is somehow a gift to the guy. it's a sick and dumb thought.

[jokerman93]

32. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Rev. Sun Myung Moon, billionaire cultmeister extraordaire and backer of the (dumb and dangerous) Tim LaHaye "Left Behind" Ministries, is the source of the model for this "Silver Ring Thing".

It appears to be packaged a lot like Moon's early cult efforts. Let's face it, the man's gone to school on population mind control for decades. I doubt the engineers of the planned New World Theocracy would neglect to use his money, expertise and experience for this fake Amway religion that seems to be spreading in Amerika like some form of virulent STD.

Hey, that's just my take on the disturbing picture we see unfolding here.

Follow the vision. Follow the money.