ALLIANCE DEFENSE FUND-CHRISTIAN LEGAL SOCIETY NEWS RELEASE
April 25, 2006 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT ADF MEDIA RELATIONS: (480) 444-0020

Florida denies funding to faith-based organizations

ADF and CLS file suit against Florida officials on behalf of faith-based organizations

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund and Christian Legal Society filed suit on behalf of the Association of Faith-Based Organizations today against Florida officials for denying religious charitable organizations funding through Florida’s State Employees’ Charitable Campaign.

“Religious charities should not be treated as second-class organizations,” said CLS Chief Litigation Counsel Steven H. Aden.  “Florida’s hard-working state employees have the right to send their donations to the charity of their choice, and they should not be told that their chosen charity is too religious to be included.”

Florida’s State Employees’ Charitable Campaign is a state-operated program by which state employees voluntarily contribute payroll deductions to participating charitable organizations.  However, Florida’s policy prohibits any organization that engages in any activity that is “primarily religious” in nature from participating in the program.

“Faith-based charities are doing good work for people in the Sunshine State, and state employees should have the opportunity to support that work regardless of whether the charity’s people also happen to express their faith through prayer or other means,” Aden explained.  “A faith-based charity’s services are clearly not less worthy or effective for the community.  No employee is compelled to give to any particular charity through Florida’s system, and that would not change even if faith-based charities were offered as an option for contributions.”

ADF and CLS attorneys are seeking a court ruling declaring Florida’s policy unconstitutional and prohibiting officials from denying participation to AFBO’s members.  A copy of the complaint filed in the case Association of Faith-Based Organizations v. Lewis in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee Division, can be viewed at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/AFBO-FLcomplaint.pdf.

AFBO is an association of non-profit religious charities seeking to protect the constitutional freedom of religious organizations to staff and select members on a religious basis.  AFBO is comprised of social service providers, educational institutions, membership associations, and advocacy outreach organizations, including the Christian Legal Society and other non-profit organizations.

Together, ADF, America’s largest legal alliance, and CLS, America’s premier membership organization of Christian legal professionals, defend religious liberty, human life, marriage, and the family.