A lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has resulted in the Bush administration suspending a federal grant for the Silver Ring Thing, one of the nation’s more popular sexual abstinence programs, because it appears that organizers are using tax money for religious activities, The Washington Post reported Aug. 23.
A letter to the program’s director said the project funded with federal dollars “includes both secular and religious components that are not adequately safeguarded,” and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ordered the Silver Ring Thing to submit a “corrective action plan” in order to have its expected $75,000 grant reinstated this year.
Teenagers who participate in the program sign a covenant “before God Almighty” to remain virgins until marriage. Three months ago, the ACLU filed a lawsuit against HHS, claiming the government agency was using federal funds to advance Christianity through the program, The Post said.
The Silver Ring Thing, which has been popular in Alabama, contends it is a faith-based nonprofit group that allows children to choose a secular or religious route when participating in the program.
(BP)
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