Oregon: ACLU Questions Abstinence Group

In letters to state and federal officials, the national American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of Oregon charge that the Lane Pregnancy Support Center's "Stop and Think" abstinence-only sex education program is misusing public funds. "Both the federal and Oregon constitutions are violated when a direct grant of government dollars funds specifically religious activities," wrote Jann Carson, associate director of ACLU of Oregon.

In a contract signed with Stop and Think in 2002, the Northern Hills Pregnancy Care Center in Spearfish, S.D., agreed with a requirement that curriculum presenters "possess an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ." They were further required to "attend a Bible-believing local church or fellowship." As recently as February, Carson said, the South Dakota center requested that candidates for abstinence program director include a "letter of Christian testimony" with their resumes.

Dr. Brick Lantz, president of the Eugene-based Lane Pregnancy Support Center, said he is unclear why the language was included in the South Dakota contract. Lantz said he does not believe any such requirement is made of presenters in Oregon, and he noted that presenters are explicitly prohibited from discussing God or religion in their classroom talks.

ACLU said the Eugene center receives $37,500 annually in funds administered by the state. In 2005, the White House reported the Lane Center had received almost $370,000 in federal grant money, though it was unclear how much was spent on abstinence programming. ACLU said it will pursue possible legal action unless it receives a satisfactory response by the end of the month.

Lane Pregnancy Support Center has offered Stop and Think to schools across Lane County and made it available through pregnancy centers in nine other Oregon cities.

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