Separation of Church and State? - Prison Fellowship Ministries Being Sued
So why are they being sued, you ask?
Americans United for Separation of Church and State, an organization that should be ashamed of itself, is suing them! In the U.S. District Court in Des Moines, Iowa the trial has begun. Americans United for Separation of Church and State is challenging the use of taxpayer funds to support Prison Fellowship Ministries' "InnerChange" Christian rehabilitation program in Iowa. Never mind Prison Fellowship Ministries has saved Iowa millions of dollars because prisoners who are released are becoming working, productive citizens paying taxes! And Iowa is not supporting these people anymore in Iowa prisons, saving Iowa taxpayers even more!
In most states Colson's work is funded by private contributions. In Iowa, the state legislature appropriated several hundred thousand dollars for the ministry to run a "value-based treatment ' at its Newton Correctional Facility. And it has been more successful than any Iowan ever dream! It seems to me that the success of Prison Fellowship Ministries - the bare statistics alone, would impress anyone! But no, this rogue organization with the "friendly" sounding name has an agenda!
What's their agenda, you ask?
Well, it's to protect all of us, of course! Don't you want to be protected from religion? By the way, I would like to point out that the words "separation of church and state" is not mentioned in the Constitution of the United States. Read it for yourself! (If this link does not appear, use your search engine!)
The phrase "separation of church and state" is derived from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson in 1802 to a group identifying themselves as the Danbury Baptists. In that letter, referencing the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, Jefferson writes:
"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between Church & State."
In other words, no king, queen, president or government in the United States shall establish a religion and make all Americans convert to it.
There's an old saying, "No good deed goes unpunished." Fatalistic and negative, yes. But it seems to be true in this case. I've talked to countless people in the Prison Fellowship Ministry organization, and I can tell you that these people operate on a shoe string. They rely on benefactors who want to make a difference in this world. And now they must find funds to defend themselves against this disgusting organization whose goal it is to drive God out of every facet of our society. Do the members of Americans United for Separation of Church and State really think God is intimidated by their stupid organization?
I urge all Iowans who care about crime in their neighborhoods, who care about how their taxes are wasted on supercilious legal fees, call your representatives! Tell them you are not happy campers about this frivolous lawsuit!
I urge all other people who are outraged by this lawsuit and want to help: send your donations to Prison Fellowship Ministry! You can find them online at http://www.pfm.org/You can call 1-800-251-7411 to be directed to your local office. Yes! They're operating in your neighborhood! They make a difference in the crime rate where you live! Help them!
Published by April Lorier, Author and Encourager
Inspirational author, poet, writer and Christian blogger. Children's rights activist who successfully fought for the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) which was signed into law by Ronald Reagan.... View profile
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7 Comments
Post a CommentGovernment is necessary evil. It does evil things like putting people in jail to stop greater evil. Everything it does is funded by evil means like taxes--forced funding. Prison Ministries does good. It does good elsewhere without the evil means of taxpayer funding. Therefore, it should get its funding in Iowa as it does elsewhere, from people who believe in its cause, and not burden the taxpayers of Iowa. If we want the least evil in our society, we should not do things by evil means that can be done by good means.
Raymond, you are sooo right. Seems like it's being interpreted as "freedom FROM religion", doesn't it? I faved you so I would remember to read your articles. Keep writing!
Farmer, you are right! For the most part, Prison Fellowship won, thanks to the ALCJ. You're right on top of things, so I've faved you. Want to read your articles as you write. Thanks so much for commenting! And God bless you big time!
Prison Fellowship is a wonderful ministry and Chuck Colson is an inspiration. But I thought I heard they won that case: http://www.traditionalvalues.org/modules.php?sid=3202 I certainly hope this is the same case you are talking about and that they are not being sued again.
You are 100% correct about "the seperation of church and state clause" not appearing in the Constitution for the United States and let us not forget the part in the amendment that also says "the free exercise thereof", because that is the part that no one wants us to think about.
You are right about "separation of church and state" does not exist in The Constitution. And about Prison Fellowship, I have supported them for years. They are the most successful program for prisoners and their families. I'm sure the ACLJ will win the case for them. I pray so.
Yes, April, the prison ministry does make a difference. Thank you for sharing this information. I hope that more people will donate to help this cause. I guess our government would rather prisoners be released with no one caring whether they succeed or not. This is a travesty.