A Minnesota Independent report details the thoroughly religious programming of the Minnesota Teen Challenge rehabilitation program, which has nonetheless received millions of dollars in both federal and state funding.
Eric Vagle, Teen Challenge's communications director, acknowledges the religious nature of the treatment centers but says state money is kept separate from evangelical programming.
"The program services that are funded through the government are non-religious in nature, and while we do offer religious programming, it is not funded by government dollars and clients voluntarily choose to participate," he said.
"It is important to note that a number of studies suggest that spirituality can play an important part of the recovery process for many people, and therefore most treatment programs have some sort of spirituality component to them."
Alex Luchenitser, senior litigation counsel for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, sees the program differently.
"Teen Challenge is a program that should not be receiving state money," he said. "It requires people who participate to convert to Christianity."
Can a program so infused with religion possibly keep the government-funded elements separate from teh religious ones?