Group says it has legal standing to sue over Boys Ranch

Bismarck, N.D. (AP) The nation's largest group of atheists and agnostics says there is legal precedent for its court challenge of foster care referrals by the state of North Dakota.

A state government lawyer who recently asked a federal judge to throw out the case disagrees.

The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation alleges that referrals to the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, which serves troubled children, are unconstitutional because the children are indoctrinated with religion. The group sued last summer.

Attorneys for the defendants want the case dismissed. They say the foundation doesn't have any legal grounds to sue, for several reasons.

Richard Bolton is an attorney for the plaintiffs, which include the foundation and some North Dakota taxpayers. He says that if they don't have standing to sue, that means state government officials would be free to violate the Constitution without fear of being challenged.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-25-08 1055CST | save this article / add to your favorites list