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Witnesses: Salvation Army Was Preaching on Gov't Money
By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Feb 17, 2010
Modified Feb 17, 2010
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By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Feb 17, 2010
Modified Feb 17, 2010
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A 2004 lawsuit that claimed Salvation Army tried to spread its Evangelical message through government-funded socials services came to a settlement today. From now on NY City agencies will monitor the organization to make sure it's maintaining proper church-state separation. “This agreement protects the religious freedom of all New Yorkers who rely on faith-based organizations for crucial government-funded social services,” said Donna Lieberman, executive director of the NY Civil Liberties Union, the group that brought the suit. “No one should be subject to proselytizing because they need foster care, adoption, child care or H.I.V. services.”
Eighteen witnesses for the NYCLU said that as employees of the Salvation Army, they were made to say what church they attended, how often, and to agree to "preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ," reports Courthouse News Service. Among other things, the organization was cited for "a confirmation-like ceremony at its temple on West 14th Street for 9-year-olds in its city-financed foster care program in which each child was handed a Bible and prayed over, as well as prayers offered with snacks in a day care program."
Tagged
christian
church-state separation
city agency
evangelical
lawsuit
monitor
nyclu
preaching
salvation army
Sabrina Jaszi
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