Teen Abstinence Program Being Sued by ACLU in Mississippi

CBNNEWS.COM

Organizers of a teen abstinence summit are being sued, because of their references to the Bible. The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the "Just Wait" Abstinence Unit at the Department of Human Services in Mississippi.

The lawsuit claims Christian music and Bible teachings were part of a state-sponsored event and that Miss. Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant was introduced as someone who was "not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

"The state of Mississippi cannot sponsor overtly religious events as part of its abstinence-only-until-marriage program," said Brigitte Amiri, Senior Staff Attorney with the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project.

"Instead of preaching, the state needs to start teaching youth how to make responsible and healthy decisions throughout their lives," she said.

The ACLU is asking a federal judge for an injunction to prevent future summits with religious activity and that the state be forced to return any federal funding used for the event.