Americans United, allies oppose `faith-based' funding in Wisconsin case. (People & Events).Americans United and two national Jewish groups are asking a federal appeals court to strike down a Wisconsin program that funds a "faith-based" substance abuse and employment training program. The controversy centers on Faith Works Milwaukee, a group that helps men overcome addictions and find jobs. In its bylaws The rules and regulations enacted by an association or a corporation to provide a framework for its operation and management. Bylaws may specify the qualifications, rights, and liabilities of membership, and the powers, duties, and grounds for the dissolution of an , the organization says its offers "a holistic, faith-based approach to bring healing to mind, body, heart and soul." The organization has received $600,000 from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and $110,000 from the state Department of Corrections. In 2001, the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation The Freedom From Religion Foundation is an American Freethought organization based in Madison, Wisconsin. Its purposes, as stated in its bylaws, are to promote the separation of church and state, and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism. sued, asserting that the grants violate the separation of church and state
U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb last year struck down the Workforce Department's grant to Faith Works, holding that it is direct government funding of religious activity. However, Crabb upheld the grant to the Department of Corrections, saying that men on probation could choose Faith Works among other agencies, not all of which were religious. Crabb said that made the program similar to a voucher system, which the high court upheld in June. The Freedom From Religion Foundation appealed the second part of the ruling, insisting that the Department of Corrections grant is also unconstitutional unconstitutional adj. referring to a statute, governmental conduct, court decision or private contract (such as a covenant which purports to limit transfer of real property only to Caucasians) which violate one or more provisions of the U. S. Constitution. . In a friend-of-the-court brief, Americans United, the American Jewish Committee
B’nai B’rith organization which fights anti-Semitism. [Am. Hist.: Wigoder, 33] See : Anti-Semitism agreed. The brief, written by AU Litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. Counsel Alex Luchenitser, asserts that Faith Works is the only viable choice for men on probation. It notes that only Faith Works offers a nine-to-12 month program, and that it is the only agency that offers employment counseling. Corrections officials, the brief contends, strongly urge probationers to enroll in Faith Works. The case, Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Thompson, is currently on appeal to the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. |
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