Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Freedom From Religion Folks Threaten La Crosse Homeless Shelter

This is what I have to say about that. 

A national church-state separation group is pressuring La Crosse County to come up with a plan to ensure The Salvation Army does not coerce its shelter residents to participate in prayers or other religious observances.

Washington, D.C.-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State has given the county until mid-June to address allegations about The Salvation Army homeless shelter in La Crosse.

The group said it has received complaints “the Army regularly presents prayers and sermons at meals, and holds religious services” at the shelter.

In an April 13 letter to county officials, lawyers for Americans United wrote, “These complaints suggest that the contractual relationship may run afoul of constitutional principles, so we ask that you investigate the Army’s religious activities and remedy any legal violations.”

La Crosse County pays The Salvation Army $50,000 a year to provide homeless shelter services in La Crosse. The 65-bed shelter also serves several surrounding counties.

(6) Comments
Posted by Owen at 1952 hrs
Culture + Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

  1. I agree with you owen.
    shut up.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 26, 2009 at 2009 hrs


  2. Yeah, that.

    Is the AUfSoCaS planning on opening a shelter of their own?

    If not then, yes, shut up.

    Posted by hsgbdmama on May 26, 2009 at 2054 hrs


  3. I used to work in the Salvation Army homeless shelter in Wausau.  I can honestly say they the homeless were not forced to attend services.  They were encouraged to attend services, but not mandated to do so.  Most did not attend the services, mostly, many were pissed at God because of their circumstances.

    Posted by Dan on May 27, 2009 at 0144 hrs


  4. $50,000 dollars on a 65 bed facility?  That probably isn’t even the largest single donation.  How does it compute that any action group now has the right to sue the SA because of what amounts to a pittance donation for a private business from the Government? 

    You can’t even by one-tenth of a search to hire a new superintendent for $50,000.  Well okay, it will pay a tenth if you don’t go over budget.

    I bet if this were an Indian shaman shelter, it would be okay call on the spirits before dinner.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 27, 2009 at 0931 hrs


  5. Well then, fair being fair, I’d like to re-dedicate the quaint recording Owen picked to Ginny Maziarka and her Safe Libraries friends. Ha.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 27, 2009 at 1811 hrs


  6. So have the freedom-from-religion folks finally jumped the shark with this one?  Please? 

    Between this and the high school that used big-comfy-air conditioned-with lots of parking - Elmbrook Church for their graduation ceremony. 

    I mean really, these people need to get a life.  And some common sense.


    rolleyes

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 27, 2009 at 1835 hrs


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