The largest group of atheists and agnostics is suing North Dakota officials, alleging that public money is being used to religiously "indoctrinate" young people at the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, which has facilities in Minot, Fargo and Bismarck.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, based in Wisconsin, filed the lawsuit in Bismarck. It asks a judge to declare a violation of the constitutional separation of church and state and to order the government to stop sending children or money to the ranch.
State officials said no public money is used to finance the spiritual programs, which are paid for by private donations.
Doesn't this Wisconsin-based group have anything better to do? Here's our advice: Leave the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch alone.
The program has helped countless troubled youths through the years, and their mission continues to make a difference in young people's lives today. If the program would lose funding, what becomes of all the troubled youth who have been helped? We bet the officials with The Freedom From Religion Foundation haven't given that any thought, and if they have, they obviously don't care what happens to the kids, as long as they get to push their agenda.
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The program is audited on a regular basis by the state, which ensures that no public money is used for religious programming at residential child care or treatment centers in the state. That should be proof enough. We expect this frivolous lawsuit to be thrown out of court and the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch should be allowed to continue its program.
