Wiltz

ACLU weighs in on ISU chaplain proposal
By ANDREW LOGUE
REGISTER STAFF WRITER


May 31, 2007
3 Comments



R. Ben Stone, executive director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, sent a letter today to Iowa State University president Gregory Geoffroy regarding a proposal to use private money to make a chaplain available to Cyclone football players.
Stone also sent the letter to the Iowa State athletics council, which is looking into the matter.

“We simply would like to make our perspective known to the people making this decision,” Stone said.

“Obviously, for university students, it is really desirable that they have counseling available, advising available. Even psychological help if needed,” Stone said. “It’s when you get in the area of religion that it’s really best left to the individual student to seek out their own spiritual guidance as they desire.”

Stone said it was the first time he has sent a letter to one of the state’s universities regarding a chaplain matter.

“If there was something going on in the past, it was never reported. We never knew about it,” Stone said. “I heard years ago that (former Iowa basketball coach) Steve Alford had some kind of a chaplain, but I never learned enough about it. We weren’t able to learn more.”

UGLY

I knew these bastards couldnt keep their nose out of it

BonnieJ2

You'll know they are Christians by their love....

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UGLY

It was an attempt at sarcasm but they do piss me off. Who didnt think they would have to attempt to influence this situation.

Spider

I'm inclined to agree with you here, UGLY. Even though I don't think it's a good idea for the reasons I expressed on the other thread, it's none of the ACLU's business . . . UNLESS . . . the chaplain starts doing more than just passively being there to offer counseling. If he gets involved in team prayers or preaching, then it may become an issue for the ACLU.

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matclone

So what is the ACLU saying? What is their position? I sure can't tell from the DSM Register's account.

sgallan

It was an attempt at sarcasm but they do piss me off. Who didnt think they would have to attempt to influence this situation.

So they come in. It is their right within our system. And then it plays out in the courts. And it gets decided one way or another. That IS sort of how a Constitutional Democratic Republic works. I can accept whatever decision washes out. Can you?

You are for the Constitution I assume?

UGLY

Scott I am for the constitution. I am not for the ACLU sticking its nose into every situation out there. From what I know nobody that is involved with the school or this situation asked for them to step in. So why cant they just let people iron things out themselves. The ACLU just sucks, I dont go around bringing law suites against people because they are doing something I dont agree with or that goes against my interpretation of a law. If you read the other thread and what the constitutional expert said you would see this is not a cut and dry case and one which I believe the University can work out on their own.

matclone

Thank God for the ACLU (no pun intended). As far as I can tell, they are totally consistent in their positions--unlike say, the idiots of talk radio. They serve a very usual function protecting our liberties.

UGLY

Protecting whos liberties? I only see them attempt to limit the liberties of the religious.