Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Religious Charity
July 18, 2008 | Read Time: 1 minute
A federal judge has determined that a group of atheists and agnostics has no right to sue the state of North Dakota for sending juveniles to a church-affiliated ranch, reports the Associated Press.
U.S. District Judge Dan Hovland told the Freedom From Religion Foundation and five North Dakota taxpayers who belong to the group: “The payment of taxes is generally not enough to establish standing to challenge an action by the state or county government.”
The group contends that the state uses government money to send youths to the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, which is affiliated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The ranch says its religious programs are supported by private donations.
Dan Barker, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, said the group may appeal the decision.
Read The Chronicle‘s profile of the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
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