Federal judge clears use of religion in care for veterans
By RYAN J. FOLEY
Associated Press Writer
Friday, January 12, 2007

MADISON, Wis. — The Department of Veterans Affairs’ increasing use of religion in treating ailing veterans does not violate the separation of church and state, a federal judge has ruled.

U.S. District Judge John Shabaz dismissed a lawsuit by the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation and defended the agency’s practices in his decision Monday, saying religion can help patients heal and is legal when done on a voluntary basis.

The foundation, a group of atheists and agnostics which has challenged the Bush administration’s mix of government and religion, said it was the first time a judge upheld the constitutionality of the VA’s use of religion in treating millions of veterans. The ruling averts a trial that was scheduled to begin later this month.

The group’s president, Annie Laurie Gaylor, said Tuesday it would appeal the ruling. the rest