ACLU Asks State, Federal Officials To Investigate Oregon-Based Abstinence-Only Sex Education Program's Use Of Public Funds

The American Civil Liberties Union and the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon have sent letters to HHS and the Oregon Department of Human Services, respectively, asking the agencies to investigate whether a Eugene, Ore.-based abstinence-only sex education program used public funds for religious purposes, the Eugene Register-Guard reports. The ACLU said the Lane Pregnancy Support Center is unconstitutionally using public funds for its "Stop and Think" program because it requires that all program presenters "hold particular religious beliefs."

According to the Register-Guard, the Northern Hills Pregnancy Care Center in Spearfish, S.D., in 2002 signed a contract with the "Stop and Think" program that required presenters and supervisors of its curriculum "possess an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ." The contract further stipulated that presenters "possess knowledge of the word of God and the ability to communicate its truth; exhibit a loving and merciful spirit; (and) attend a Bible-believing local church or fellowship," the Register-Guard reports.

Jann Carson, associate director of ACLU of Oregon, in a May 2 letter to the state human services department -- said, "Both the federal and Oregon constitutions are violated when a direct grant of government dollars funds specifically religious activities." The ACLU has asked state and federal officials to launch an immediate investigation and to stop "the flow of funds to grantees who have used them unlawfully." The ACLU added that it will pursue possible legal action if an appropriate response is not made by the end of the month.

Brick Lantz, president of the center's board of directors, said he is not sure how or why the Northern Hills contract included the disputed language. He added that presenters are barred from discussing God or religion during their presentations.

"The ACLU has launched a national campaign to shut down abstinence education programs," Kristin Hansen -- spokesperson for CareNet, a national network of pregnancy counseling centers that opposes abortion rights -- said, adding, "Clearly, their concern lies in forwarding an anti-religious agenda rather than promoting programs that benefit the health and well-being of our nation's youth." Carson said that people of faith have a right to promote their message, but the "question becomes, what is appropriate use of taxpayer dollars in delivering a message?" (Wright, Eugene Register-Guard, 5/15).


The ACLU letter, the ACLU of Oregon letter and the Northern Hills Pregnancy Care Center contract are available online. Note: You need Adobe Acrobat to view the documents.

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