Judge rules against atheists trying to de-fund Christian ministries helping Florida ex-convicts

A judge has opposed an attempt by an atheist group to discriminate against Christians who are helping provide Florida ex-convicts with food, shelter, and jobs.

New York-based atheist group Center for Inquiry, along with some individuals, recently filed a complaint against Florida's Department of Corrections' decision to pay the Christian groups to offer substance abuse help and transitional services to ex-convicts. However, Circuit Court Judge George S. Reynolds III has ruled in favor of the Prisoners of Christ and Lamb of God ministries in the case, WND reports.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty has explained that it represents each prisoner of Christ in their legal battles but that it does not fund them in any way financially. Each ministry in fact works with the state of Florida, which provides a supplement of $14 to $20 per day. In 2007, the Center for Inquiry filed a case to block the payments, saying the activities violated Florida's "No Aid" provision, which prevents state money from being used for religious work, New Boston Post explains.

State officials explained that the Christian groups' success rate is almost three times the national average of similar groups helping ex-convicts transition to life outside of prison.

"The question before this court is does the statute and the payments violate Article I, Section 3 of the Florida Constitution, known as the 'No Aid' provision based on the religious nature of the two faith based programs," Judge Reynolds' ruling said.

Furthermore, the judge said the money paid to the Christian groups are not used "in aid of" religion but are spent for programs that help ex-convicts start new lives. He also said the program implemented does not require the participants to be involved in religious rituals, practices, or indoctrination.

The Christian groups provide the ex-inmates with food, housing, transportation, and employment assistance immediately from the moment they step foot in the bus station. The program also helps them obtain driver's licenses, Social Security cards, and other identification documents needed, plus medical services and post-secondary education.

Meanwhile, the New York-based group has dropped its lawsuit aiming to block state funding on the Christian group's ex-convict program in Florida. The Center for Inquiry has also refused to appeal the court ruling on Jan. 20.

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Correction: The Becket Fund has clarified that it does not fund any of the prisoners themselves, but that each ministry works with the state of Florida, which provides the supplement of $14 to $20 per day. In the original version of this story the supplement was attributed to the ministry.