Dive Summary:
- The ACLU, its New Jersey chapter, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State are suing the state of New Jersey over its plans to give an all-male Jewish school and Princeton Theological Seminary $11 million in funding.
- The groups allege that the funding is in violation of the state's constitution, which prohibits the use of taxpayer money for religious institutions and stipulates that public money be used for public purposes, as well as a state law against gender discrimination in the all-male school's case.
- According to the ACLU, the two schools are receiving 20% of the state's funding for private institutions, but the schools, which had to apply for the grants, will receive the money unless the state legislature acts by Friday.
From the article:
... “We support freedom of religion; however the government has no business funding religious ministries,” Ed Barocas, legal director of the ACLU of New Jersey, said in a statement. “Taxpayers should not foot the bill to train clergy or provide religious instruction, but the state is attempting to do exactly that.” ...