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ACLU objects to New Jersey bond for private colleges

TRENTON, N.J., June 24 (UPI) -- The American Civil Liberties Union said it is suing the state of New Jersey over two grants to private colleges that exist solely to train rabbis and priests.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in April announced recipients of a massive voter-approved bond issue to invest in the state's higher education system. Included on the list of 176 college construction projects announced is $10.6 million for Beth Medrash Govoha, an Orthodox Jewish rabbinical school in Lakewood, N.J.

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The ACLU says taxpayer money should not be given to private religious institutions.

"We support freedom of religion. However the government has no business funding religious ministries," said Ed Barocas, legal director of the ACLU of New Jersey. "Taxpayers should not foot the bill to train clergy or provide religious instruction, but the state is attempting to do exactly that."

Also included on the list to receive public funds is Princeton Theological Seminary, a Presbyterian seminary school that's sole function is to teach theology to would-be priests. That organization is scheduled to get more than $600,000 from the state bond.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State also is participating in the suit.

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