Bismarck, North Dakota News

" I wonder what will happen to these kids once the funding from the state is removed. I am sure the kids will continue to be the losers, indoctrinated with the nonsense of religion. If this were a Muslim run organization, would they receive any funding from the government. I think not. How much faith based money goes to none Christian organizations? Little if any. That tells us how dishonest this whole setup by the executive branch and king George actually is and what the agenda is. The agenda is to promote Christianity and in doing so to help fill the coffers of the republican party to win the next election. "

" > Atheism has questioned the BS of religion, and if only one person can be drawn away from the darkness of ancient superstition and into the light of rational thought, then atheism has done more good for all of society than any religion at any time. "

" From what I saw at DBGR, the residents were expected to take part in spiritual activities. If they did not agree to do so, they were placed on restriction level. They might be expected to write an essay about their spiritual beliefs, but they were definitely placed on restriction. This means that they cannot interact with their peers, make telephone calls except to their referral (social worker), watch television or go off-campus. They might even be required to have their meals alone in the cottage. If that isn't isolation, I don't know what is. Religion doesn't mean anything unless it is voluntary. This suit is about constitutional protection. "

" From what I saw at DBGR, the residents were expected to take part in spiritual activities. If they did not agree to do so, they were placed on restriction level. They might be expected to write an essay about their spiritual beliefs, but they were definitely placed on restriction. This means that they cannot interact with their peers, make telephone calls except to their referral (social worker), watch television or go off-campus. They might even be required to have their meals alone in the cottage. If that isn't isolation, I don't know what is. Religion doesn't mean anything unless it is voluntary. This suit is about constitutional protection. Reli "

" To Steve: Yes - consider the Spanish Inquisition and the Crusades - remember - some of the most horrific crimes against humanity have been done in the name of Religion. "

" In response to "To Facing the Truth": As for being parents - I are and always will be a parent who care a great deal about a very troubled child. My child was adopted at a later age (over the age of 10) and came with a host of very difficult emotional, mental, and behavioral problems. Not the least of which as Reactive Attachment Disorder. Read up on Reactive Attachment Disorder before you condemn and learn the facts before you condemn. Due to the lack of training on the part of many individuals here, to the characteristics of RAD, and to the fact that a child that acts out in ND is considered unruly and can therefore be removed from the home, my child entered care ourside my home here in ND. Because of parenting my child had never been arrested or involved in drugs and alcohol UNTIL she went into Outside Care. While in outside care she got involved heavily in alcohol, drugs, staying out all night, being arrested, engaging in questionable behavior with Grown Adults all until the austpices of "Professional Care". Hence my child's arrival at DBGR. Unfortunately, the punitive treatment received at DBGR and the isolation received because my child was not interested (nor was I interested) in their particular form of Religious Programming, her condition has worsened to an severe and disabling degree. So, think twice before acusing a parent of not being a parent. Read the NDCC on parenting and what you can an cannot do. Research why children the majority of children are removed - not just the sensationalistic reasons published in the paper. You will find that removal of children is Big Business in ND - supporting the 1.7 billion dollar DHS budget and the County budgets. If a parent is a good parent in ND, they are setting themselves up for their child's removal from the home and can, unfortunately, be subjected to punishing isolation and deprivation at the hand of DBGR in the name of Religious Programming. "

" Don't know about the lutheran Church as a whole, but the actions and rituals that DBGR Executives took when I was there sure make DBGR look like a cult. As to unsubstaniated claims, that's why we joined the suit Steve, to help FFRF prove what they are claiming takes place at DBGR. Hope you follow the suit to the end. I think you all are missing the point here though, it's about constitionally protected rights, and no one, and I mean no one has the right to violate them, unless of course you are a fundamentalist, then you have the right to do anything you want, or so it seems in this day and age. "

" Unsubstantiated claims offered by several posting on this site show the unfortuanate down side to such forums. How can you know they are true? I understand that the DBGR provides a helpful service to children and familes. One other thought. As I look back at history I can see many wonderful and helpful services provided to our society by religious organizations (schools, hospitals, family services, etc.), but I can't think of one thing that the religion of atheism has done to help society. "

" If you don't like the way your child was treated, then maybe you should deal with his/her issues yourself. Let me guess....it's someone else's fault that your child got into mischief, right. You make the Lutheran church sound like a cult. Give me a break. Maybe some of us should spend more time being parents and less time whining about those trying to make a positive difference in the lives of children. "

" In response to To: to facing the truth - what you say is absolutely incorrect. From experience with my own child what you are claiming is patently false. DBGR staff did in fact isolate my child, force her to be bombarded by Spiritual Advisors and Staff to force her to accept their spiritual programming. Until she agreed to the spiritual programming she was completely restricted from all activities except school, isolated from her peers, denied telephone and visiting privileges, and forced to endure hours upon hours of bombardment from staff. This is the absolute truth in my child's case. Total brainwashing by staff and enforced isolation until she agreed to comply. Because I wanted her to have religious instruction that was Christian but not Lutheran I was denied all ability to visit, call, or write my child. My child was raised in another religion which is the religion of my preference and because it was not Lutheran I was completely cut off from my child by the "Therapeutic Team". That's the truth about DBGR "

" One of the facts Mr. Rivoli leaves out of this article is the two new plaintiffs in the suit. These are two parents who had a severely troubled adotped child placed at DBGR agaisnt thier wishes. After demnading Roman Catholic teaching for thier child, they were cut off from visits and the child was "punished", denied prividges, and denied the opportunity to move up in levels un til she "submitted" to the religous teachings of DBGR. These are facts, and the docunetation will come out in court. For the record, I am one of those parents, and I have been to meeting where the COO of DBGR told us, in no unceratin terms that the treatment team staff would adhere to DBGR's religious teachings or work somewhere else. Both my wife and I were a party to a meeting where each and every staff member presentwas required to beg our forgivness for failing our child. Two were in tears, one sobbing incoherently. We felt like we were witnessing a cult practice. Why would a parents who were denied Roman Catholic teachings for thier child align themselves with an athiest group? Quite simple, to protect our freedom to choose to beleive as we wish and have that taught to our child. Complaints to Carol olson, Paul Ronnegen and directly to Governor Hoeven were ignored, a complete slap in the face to all who wish to follow the Roman Catholic teachings. For the record, I have contacted the writer of this article and will glading give him our persepctive on the case. "

" DBGR residents and employees are not forced the practice Luteren religion or teachings, this is an option given, the youth are not forced to stay in their rooms if they choose not to participate, and family visits are definatley not taken away for this reason, families are always welcome to set up visits with thier child on campus whenever. Also many of the spiritual life staff are not even lutheran themselves. I have worked for this organization for over five years and I can personally tell you that the number one priority is to help our residents and provide whatever service is in their best interest. If a child wishes to practice a different religion that is certian to happen, and a DBGR staff person would be asked to help aid in this happening. We have had native american children who have been encouraged to participate in their own religious practices and native american staff who have helped them to do so. We have had muslim children and have encouraged them to learn as much about their religion as possible. The goal of DBGR is to help children and families succeed, no one associated with this organization is going to try to change the youth in our care, we want to let them know that they are loved and special no matter what their culture or religion. We respect and embrace all our childrens' differences. "

" Do all of you that feel that they are "recruiting Lutherans" have facts to back this up? I have first hand experience with private youth homes and can say from experience that this is not the case. The kids are afforded the opportunity to practice the religion of their choice and that for obvious space reasons they can not have a separate space for each. Please before you go make accusations get the facts. "

" This is an optional part of the residential housing provided to these at-risk youths, from what I understand and have seen. This lawsuit is a waste of public time and money, which would be better spent on the youth that this institution serve. Funny this article appeared on the same day that the drop out article appeared. Here is one way to keep students in school and this is being challenged. I have lost some respect for the FFRF. I agree with seperation of church and state, but totally and without question support freedom of choice. To Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch - keep doing what you are doing. Your services have and will continue to be needed by our at-risk youth so they can lead productive and rewarding lives. "

" You're right - DBGR needs to separate out it's religious program from the programs helping troubled youth. The Religious part should be optional in it's entirely and there should be no punishment to the children and families if the child and family choose to opt out of their particular Religion. It is called separation of Church and State. Tax dollars should not be used to recruit troubled youth to the Lutheran Church. "

" I don't believe The Freedom From Religion's goal is to shut down Dakota Boys and Girl Ranch; but instead to remove the religious support from the Ranch. Once the support of those religions is removed, the Ranch can continue without any and all religious influence. "

" Read the DBGR web site - here's the url for their "spiritual life" - http://www.dakotaranch.org/programs/spiritual.php. The fact is this is a Lutheran organization that takes vulnerable youth and recruits them to Lutheranism. DBGR does not respect any other religion. The favorite trick is to deny parents visitation with their child unless and until the child agrees to their Spiritual Programming. The website even states if the child wishes to practice any religion other than the Lutheran religion, they must be taken to their respective religion practice area by someone outside the DBGR community. No other religions are allowed on the campus for any type of faith-based teachings. There are spiritual advisors in the cottages for programming the kids. The kids are restricted to their rooms and forced to do spiritual writing if they do not want to adhere to DBGRs Lutheran teachings and practices. All the staff are required to practice the DBGR religion and are expected to preach the religion to children at all times. I'm positive that staff are paid out of State and Federal dollars and I'm certain the hours staff spends brainwashing these kids to Lutheranism isn't paid out of Church funds. Talk to the kids who have been denied visits with their parents because of this. If DBGR were non-denominational and respected all religions this would be entirely different - but they don't - they are totally Lutheran and are brainwashing these kids to the Lutheran church. I was a Lutheran - I am no more because of the teachings of the Lutheran church. These kids should have choices as the parents should be able to choose what religion if any their child is to practice. DBGR teaches the kids that if they make a mistake this is a Sin against Jesus Christ - what a punishing God these kids are being led to believe. This is no different than torture in a concentration camp to recruit into any type of belief and it needs to stop. "

" What a stupid lawsuit. These ridiculous people would prefer that these youth are not provided any help at all, since losing state funding would take away most of the funds that the facility operates with. The ranch is not using state funding for religious activities, so they really have nothing to complain about except that they like to cause trouble. "

" The people of North Dakota need to be united in our support of the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch and those who are named in this frivolous lawsuit. Does this Wisconsin-based outfit plan to step in and provide all of the good things supplied by the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch if they manage to put it out of business? "