Faith Groups Sue State's Donor Plan; Religious Bias Kept Them Off Recipient List, They Say

Summary

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Madison An annual campaign that encourages charitable giving by state employees usually generates feelings of benevolence, but it's now being challenged by groups that say they were excluded because of their religious beliefs.

A coalition of faith-based groups has filed a lawsuit alleging that First Amendment rights to freedom of religion and expression have been violated because some were not allowed to participate as potential recipients in a program through which state employees can earmark charitable donations through payroll deductions.

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Faith Groups Sue State's Donor Plan; Religious Bias Kept Them Off Recipient List, They Say

The federal lawsuit by the Springfield, Va.-based Association of Faith-Based Organizations said a state committee has rejected applications from organizations that are led by people who share a religious faith.

And while many faith-based organizations would like to participate in the pr...

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