Written by Don Byrd
An interesting church-state controversy is emerging in Trenton, New Jersey. City officials and faith leaders have developed a program to enforce Trenton’s midnight to 6 A.M. juvenile curfew that allows police to drop off offenders at churches and other faith-based organizations if no family member answers their call or is willing to pick them up.
Proponents of this enforcement mechanism argue churches are well-suited to provide guidance and a safe haven for troubled youths, and they insist that participating organizations are not allowed to proselytize or otherwise discuss religion with the children they receive. Some church-state separation advocates, however, worry that the program improperly integrates faith into the criminal justice system.
Associated Press reports:
Ian Smith, staff attorney for Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Americans United for Separation of Church and State, sees a muddied line between religious and governmental involvement.
“It’s another example of a disturbing trend within the criminal justice system that sort of equates going to church with not being a criminal,” he said.
The ACLU is asking the city to establish non-religious alternative drop-off sites as well.
Obviously, we all hope our churches and religious organizations get involved in ministering to troubled youths and providing a safe place when they need it. The question is whether they should be required to receive such care at a religious facility, like it or not, essentially as punishment. Non-religious alternatives sound like a good start.
